Blueprints for Success: Leadership Management Techniques That Really Work

Michael H. Smith, PhD
Penmarin Books (2006)
ISBN 1883955548
Reviewed by Kathleen Dowdell for Reader Views (10/06)

This book is comprised of seven powerful chapters that emphasize the importance of “people skills” that are necessary to effectively communicate and cope in today’s ever changing global environment. The author believes effective leadership skills can be taught and that is what he aims to do in “Blueprints for Success: Leadership Management Techniques That Really Work.” He also believes that the skills he expounds on need to be used on a daily basis.
 
The chapter on Leadership for the 21st Century provides up-to-date information on how managers can survive and thrive in turbulent economic times. The author highlights three important skills necessary to become a leader: be a visionary (create your own vision), be a risk-taker, and be a leader of leaders. This type of modeling behavior enhances the workplace and encourages others to create their own visions.
 
Good listening and communication skills are critical in today’s every changing workforce. What is current today can change next week. Therefore, leaders must be able to adjust to the changing demands and communicate these demands to their staff and colleagues. Many conflict issues can be solved through good communication. Being a good listener and being attuned to others’ needs will build a solid relationship that is built on trust. In the long run, it is you who people will turn to as a committed, consistent leader. 
 
An entire chapter is devoted to enhancing employee performance and retaining good employees. By hiring the right person for the organization’s needs, a win-win situation is created. Both the employer and the employee benefit from the arrangement. It is important to outline the qualities, skills, and personal traits that are necessary to perform the job. Time should be spent interviewing the candidates to find the right match. Hiring the right person saves the company money.
 
Michael H. Smith has been a consultant, speaker, and trainer for over 36 years. He freely shares his expertise both in “Blueprints for Success: Leadership Management Techniques That Really Work” as well as by way of his personal request to contact him by phone or email if there are questions about applying these principles. This is a practical, to the point book that gives useful advice to anyone working within an organization. It can help upper level managers as well as entry level people who want to design a career path for themselves. I would recommend this book as well, for graduates who have just entered the workforce. It would be useful as a benchmark to see how the company they are working for compares to the way Smith demonstrates in this book how a company should be run.

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