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The Disciplined Leader: Keeping the Focus on What Really Matters Hardcover – June 15, 2015

by John Manning (Author), Katie Roberts (Editor)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 130 ratings
See all formats and editions
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What do the best leaders have in common? As president of MAP, John Manning should know. MAP has helped tens of thousands of top executives accelerate their leadership and management performance. Manning says the answer is one word: discipline. But for Manning, discipline has a very specific meaning.

All leaders have scores of things they could do. But a disciplined leader is one who identifies and focuses on the Vital Few: the 20 percent of activities that will drive 80 percent of the results. And the results that are most important are those tied to the organization’s most precious asset: its people.

The Disciplined Leader offers fifty-two succinct lessons to help you home in on your own Vital Few in three critical areas: leading yourself, leading your team, and leading your organization. Each lesson comes with recommended tactics and practical “Take Action!” tips for implementing it, so there are literally hundreds of pieces of must-know, time-tested advice here. The chapters are self-contained, so you can read them in any order and come back to the ones that resonate with you—your own Vital Few! This is a hands-on, nuts-and-bolts guide to leadership practice that’s built to inspire action, drive change, and achieve results.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Berrett-Koehler Publishers
  4. Publication date
    June 15, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    6.38 x 0.96 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    162656325X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1626563254
  8. See all details
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Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Peter Drucker famously said ‘Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.’ John Manning shows you exactly how to identify those right things and get them done as effectively as possible!”
—Marshall Goldsmith, author of the New York Times and global bestseller What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

“Make space on your bookshelf for The Disciplined Leader. John Manning shows any leader, whether CEO or small department manager, how to identify the Vital Few keys to success and hold people accountable, thereby delivering results. The principles and processes are straightforward and can be acted upon immediately.”
—Lloyd Lenson, Chief Operating Officer, CORT, A Berkshire Hathaway Company

“We must all evolve as leaders, and this book provides an invaluable framework for keeping leaders focused on the right things, providing accountability tools for management to stay on track and ensuring the right balance between great ideas, strategy, and execution.”
—Elise Buik, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles

“The information that John Manning provides here is an indispensable resource for any leader. This approach helped guide us from our start as a small regional firm to becoming a national company and ultimately a global organization.”
—Guillermo de la Viña, CEO, Sigue Corp.

“The Disciplined Leader is a concise compilation of tips that have helped us focus on what is most important. This book is a great resource for anyone wanting to build a stronger team and become a disciplined leader.”
—Tammy Miller, CEO, Border States Electric

“Being a disciplined leader is not about working more and harder than everyone else. It’s about ensuring that every action you take exudes consistency, courage, and humility. The Disciplined Leader is an invaluable guide to help today’s C-level executives succeed—it’s required reading for my entire management team.”
—David Berman, President, RingCentral

“The Disciplined Leader emphasizes the key leadership fundamentals of passion, commitment, and people while stressing the importance of focus. The lessons are powerful and relevant for anyone in a leadership or management position.”
—Kelly Wright, Executive Vice President, Sales, Tableau Software

About the Author

John Manning is president of Management Action Programs, Inc. He has diverse experience in business leadership, having held executive positions in Fortune 500 companies in operations, marketing, and sales. Formerly the director of operations for McKesson Water Products, Inc., he was also part of a leadership team that took the company national. This move made McKesson one of the largest bottled-water companies in the United States.

Katie Roberts is a freelance business and marketing writer/editor. She is a former television reporter, award‐winning magazine editor and writer, and a nonprofit business organization founder/director.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 1st edition (June 15, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 162656325X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1626563254
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.38 x 0.96 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 130 ratings

About the author

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John Manning

John Manning

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John Manning is the President of Management Action Programs, Inc. (MAP), a general management consulting firm based in Southern California. Since 1960, MAP has tapped its talent and expertise to help 170,000 leaders in over 15,000 organizations nationwide create breakthrough results.

John has diverse experience in business leadership, having held executive positions in Fortune 500 companies in operations, marketing, and sales. Formerly the Director of Operations for McKesson Water Products, Inc., he was also part of a leadership team that took the company national. This move made McKesson one of the third largest bottled-water company in the United States before it was later bought by Danone in 2000.

A resident of Southern California, John enjoys mentoring young professionals and entrepreneurs. An avid cyclist, John is passionate about spending time in the great outdoors. He is devoted to his wife Robin and his entire family.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
130 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book useful and informative for leaders. They describe it as a great resource that keeps them engaged. The language is clear and easy to understand, making it an excellent resource for busy managers. Readers appreciate the action-oriented approach, which takes time to engage co-workers or direct reports.

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Leadership styleReadabilityClarityAction-oriented
21 customers mention "Leadership style"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful and practical for leaders who want to accelerate their leadership. They say it's concise, to the point, and based on real-life business lessons. Readers appreciate the informative tips and common sense approach. The book provides profound insights into the increasing rate of acceleration of change. It is easy to understand and execute. Overall, customers find the book inspiring and motivating.

"...to 'know yourself', being truthful, having humility, how to zero in on your values .... along with a GREAT chapter on how to get out of your own way..." Read more

"...Once I started reading it, I was hooked. These are life lessons that may be used in business and personal relationships...." Read more

"...Leader, has done an outstanding job laying out 52 simple yet powerful lessons to deal with many of the issues you are faced with as a leader...." Read more

"...The book is a collection of pointers on how to become The Disciplined Leader. Each chapter can be read as self-standing, and comes with action steps...." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They say it's an excellent resource and guide for success.

"...having humility, how to zero in on your values .... along with a GREAT chapter on how to get out of your own way.... I of course, have become..." Read more

"This is a great book to check in with where you are...." Read more

"...out my blogs about the book, here is the site: [...] Thanks for the great read, John!" Read more

"...A lot of business books can be boring, but this book actually kept me engaged and it was hard for me to put it down...." Read more

9 customers mention "Clarity"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book clear and easy to understand. They appreciate the simple yet powerful lessons it lays out. The language is clear and the examples are great. Readers find the book well-written with an outline on how to take action and get lasting results.

"...; driven ... but, THIS book, is more about actual instructions on making the commitment, exercising courage, managing things that worry you,..." Read more

"...John Manning’s, The Disciplined Leader, has done an outstanding job laying out 52 simple yet powerful lessons to deal with many of the issues you..." Read more

"...Each chapter can be read as self-standing, and comes with action steps. This is a comprehensive and useful tool for any manager...." Read more

"...were short enough for the busy leader but gave a great outline on how to take action and get lasting results, using real life examples...." Read more

5 customers mention "Action-oriented"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's action-oriented style. They find the content concise and dynamic, mentioning it takes time to engage coworkers or direct reports. The chapters are short enough for busy leaders but provide an outline on how to take action.

"I LOVE THIS BOOK! First the cover caught my eye because it is so dynamic and did not blend in to the background as other books tend to do...." Read more

"...asks more for input, listens better to others, and takes time out to engage co-workers or direct reports,” Manning explains...." Read more

"...I liked that the chapters were short enough for the busy leader but gave a great outline on how to take action and get lasting results, using real..." Read more

"...book different is that it’s simple for anyone to understand, it’s actionable, and there are worksheets that you can use to keep yourself on track on..." Read more

Game Changing Leadership!
5 out of 5 stars
Game Changing Leadership!
This book was a game changer for our network of schools. Our Focused Leader Academy participants and myself read and blogged about each lesson. John Manning's lessons are practical and instantly transferable to many contexts. If you are looking to transform yourself into a disciplined and great leader, you need to spend some quality time with this book. If you want to check out my blogs about the book, here is the site: [...] Thanks for the great read, John!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Mr. T-Bone
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Disciplined Leader TRUMPS All Other Leadership Books IMHO!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This most recent book from this organization is absolutely ASTOUNDING! The last book they had was more "testimonial" driven ... but, THIS book, is more about actual instructions on making the commitment, exercising courage, managing things that worry you, encouragement to 'know yourself', being truthful, having humility, how to zero in on your values .... along with a GREAT chapter on how to get out of your own way.... I of course, have become victim to this, and this of course, is of GREAT encouragement.

    I have realized, that even the best of the best need lessons... Even the best golfers in the world need help ... They all need some kind of tune up on a regular basis.

    Leaders are not any different --- Every leader needs some kind of tune up on a regular basis ... and this book does JUST that.

    It truly has helped me to realign what I 'thought' I was doing right... It is a book of encouragement ... and uplifting....

    I am also using this book from a personal perspective as well ... Being overweight ... THIS book is an excellent means of encouraging me to make a change in my own life where, for most of my life, my attitude and approach have been cattie-wompus....

    I'm already looking forward to the next one....
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Karen H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars DYNAMIC! THE BOOK TO READ!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I LOVE THIS BOOK! First the cover caught my eye because it is so dynamic and did not blend in to the background as other books tend to do. Once I started reading it, I was hooked. These are life lessons that may be used in business and personal relationships. I found it affected every aspect of my life. Funny thing...when my siblings saw my book, they tried to 'borrow' it but I had them buy a copy for themselves. I can see that throughout my life, I will want to reach back to this book and brush up on my interpersonal skills.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Tina
    5.0 out of 5 stars We are so busy in today’s fast pace world that ...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    We are so busy in today’s fast pace world that I find myself going in many different directions. John Manning’s, The Disciplined Leader, has done an outstanding job laying out 52 simple yet powerful lessons to deal with many of the issues you are faced with as a leader. They are simple and pragmatic, such as setting goals and measuring performance. Remembering to stay focused on the vitals and “truly” driving accountability. I wish this book would have come out years ago. Sure would have made things easier for me! Whether you are a seasoned leader or just beginning in a management role, this is a must read.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Ian Mann
    4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best managers I have met always writes down what she ...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Author John Manning of MAP, an American management consultancy, has compiled 52 lessons for effective leadership and management.
    All managers have to lead and all leaders have to manage. How much of each is required has more to with the task at hand and the people involved, than with your position in the organizational hierarchy.
    The word “Discipline” of the title is not of the punitive sort, but rather the consistency of a set of beliefs and actions that are vital for your success. No undisciplined organization will succeed for long, no matter how well marketed, financed or inspired. There are no exceptions: what differs is how long it takes for the organization to unravel.
    If you have chosen a career in leadership (or management, the title is essentially interchangeable,) “it’s part of your leadership responsibility to hold up the mirror and peer honestly and deliberately at yourself, reflecting on how you’ve led others,” Manning asserts.
    The first part of the book focuses on the responsibility to lead yourself, because how you come across will inevitably guide your people.
    It is for you to ensure they are getting the right message. It is not what you say, rather what your people hear that matters. One of the best managers I have met always writes down what she will say to colleagues, and corrects it until it is exactly what she means to say, and then throws the scrap away. Plan what you’re going to say to your team since, as Mark Twain wrote, “The difference between the right word and almost the right word, is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”
    Manning uses the term “game face” to describe non-verbal communication. You need to display, for example, that you are in control and that you are open to what others have to say, even though you may or may not agree. This requires keeping your “game face” on so that message is communicated.
    “The longer I live and participate in the business world, the more I realize telling the truth is almost always the correct choice, painful or not,” says Manning. There is always a way to communicate a harsh reality tactfully and constructively. When it comes to employee or corporate performance sugar-coating or lying is invariably a product of fear. Fear makes it impossible for companies or people to achieve. If you have no idea of how you are truly performing, understanding the harsh reality is a kindness, without which corrective action is impossible. “Make truthfulness your mantra.”
    No one is without fears, and dealing with them requires that one first acknowledges them, then clarifies and understands them. Only then can you create a plan to face your fears, one by one.
    There are common myths about leadership that Manning dispels.
    Myth #1: A leader must be “the answer person.” Believing this places an impossible burden on an individual, because none of us is as smart as all of us.
    Myth #2: Talking makes you interesting. “Really?” writes Manning, “Speaking five languages, being an Olympian… makes you interesting. But talking too much? Nope. That only makes you a bore.”
    Myth #3: Asking good questions comes naturally. Little can be further from the truth. Asking good questions is a learned skill that requires time and practice to master. It is certainly a skill all leaders should aspire to master, because it is a powerful way to uncover the important and meaningful.
    Getting free of these myths will greatly assist you in achieving humility as a leader. (See Humble Inquiry by Edgar Shein, reviewed in this column – the best book on the subject.) Humility is knowing and being proud of what you know, at the same time as being aware of how much you do not and cannot know. It is through this humility that one “achieves a style of leadership that is confident yet retains an air of humility, asks more for input, listens better to others, and takes time out to engage co-workers or direct reports,” Manning explains. He advises identifying a role model who consistently practices humility, and studying his or her style and behaviour.
    “Be in the Moment.” Manning has made it a rule in his client meetings to have everyone turn off electronics. You need only think of how you have felt when you are with people who lack the ability to remain present with you - it probably made you feel that you and the subject were unimportant. That is counter-productive in both business and friendship.
    “Don’t Cross the Line!” This includes mismanaging your team and violating the ethical standards of your organization. Leaders who cross the line damage their professional image and career in every organization of quality. Bar none.
    Probably the most common line-crossing is what Manning calls the “boss-buddy line.” It is imperative to manage the social distance with colleagues so as not to compromise position, authority or responsibility.
    Honouring your commitments is that high-impact activity that can make or break your credibility as a leader. When leaders fail to follow through on commitments, big or small, people notice, remember, and care, because they have been let down by those who should know better. Leaders are expected to demand follow-through on what has been agreed to. Every commitment you make is seen as a moment of truth, so don’t overcommit.
    The book is a collection of pointers on how to become The Disciplined Leader. Each chapter can be read as self-standing, and comes with action steps. This is a comprehensive and useful tool for any manager.

    Readability Light -+--- Serious
    Insights High --+-- Low
    Practical High +----- Low

    *Ian Mann of Gateways consults internationally on leadership and strategy and is the author of Strategy that Works.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Mommer Mia & Papa Ray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great book to check in with where you are. I found it a great refresher for self reflection on where I have been, what I'm doing now and what can i add moving forward.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jose R. Charles
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best part of the book in my opinion
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Manning's insights as to what an effective leader is or should be, are grounded in practical experience based on the lessons learned from MAP Clients and Consultants.
    The best part of the book in my opinion, is that it provides a road map for practical application of the principles.
    It is an must read for anyone who is engaged in the process of becoming a stronger leader of 'Self - Team - Enterprise'.
    I am sure that you will enjoy it and will find it productive.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars “The Disciplined Leader is an outstanding achievement by John Manning ...
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    “The Disciplined Leader is an outstanding achievement by John Manning. It unlocks barriers that stifle production within an organization and helps any leader identify what is most important: being disciplined. It concentrates on a few critical areas of leading, that drive the majority of results in a company. This book is essential to anyone in a leadership role, providing a true course of action in 52 brief lessons. I found The Disciplined Leader so important I purchased several copies to share with my partners and team members.”
    Charles Vandalia, President and CEO, Probity Commercial Insurance Services, Inc.
    One person found this helpful
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