High Five! The Magic of Working Together

Typical. That may be the best word to describe Ken Blanchard's recent book, High Five. It's typically written and, as typical for Blanchard, easy to comprehend the point he is trying to make. The story is one of a displaced (fired) Alan Foster, a great performer but horrible team member. Foster has the incorrect notion that individual production is more important than company performance. Too often, people in business and sports begin to believe their production is essential to the team when in fact there production is breaking down the team. High Five takes you into the concept of teamwork with a look at Alan Foster's fifth grade son and his hockey team. They are the cellar dwellers and with good reason...no teamwork. With the help of an aged woman and a bit of introspection, Foster helps turn a band of underachievers into a team worthy of a championship. As a coach of elementary-aged students and a manager of people, High Five is a helpful, instructional tale that will benefit me greatly in both roles. There's a reason for the terms "team sports" and "sports teams". Football, basketball, hockey, baseball, soccer...they are all driven by a team. Michael Jordan is a great example of a star who shined the brightest when he adapted his individual talents to the goals and values of the team. This same concept works in your company, in your department and in your office. To beat the competition, it takes everyone working together...as a team. Ken Blanchard continues to underwhelm me with his style and overwhelm me with his message. You'll be a Raving Fan for teamwork when you read High Five.

This is a great book. I was at a luncheon with the CEO of Tyson's Chicken and the CEO, Donny Smith, was talking about how fantastic this book was and how he has everyone read it that is in management at Tyson's. I thought I'd read it as well and loved it. Since then I ordered 15 books and passed them out to my managers and office staff. This is a must read!

Another great leadership book by Ken Blanchard. Easy to follow and to read. Gives you easy points to follow to create your own High Five Team. Our team at work is anxious to put these ideas into practice to create our own High Five team!!! Just the help we were looking for to share as a team and start the new year off on a high note.

You know what you'll get from a Blanchard/Bowles book before you even open the cover: a read-in-one-sitting fable to convey timeless business principles. This book does not disappoint.The book's key principles:(1) The organization must share purposes, values and goals.(2) Individuals must grow skills to benefit the team.(3) Integrate each individual skill into the team.(4) Repeatedly reward individuals for right actions.Of course, you also know you'll get a book that skirts the all-important key of execution. Knowing business principles is rarely a problem; generally, everyone understands the principles and immediately agrees to them. Rather, it is understanding how to execute and build a sustainable process which eludes most organizations. As expected, Blanchard/Bowles is woefully silent here.In the end, the authors present principles worth the time it takes to read the book, but only because the book is such a fast read.

I have to admit, I'm a bit of a sucker for these "Blanchard/Bowles/Johnson/etc" books. The story lines are hokey and the concepts elementary, however they can usually be read in one sitting and make great airplane books. Besides, I don't think any aspect of management is that complicated. You really just need to (1)understand the basic principles and (2)apply them religiously. And this is where I think Blanchard's formula is successful. The story keeps the book moving along, and at the same time provides a mental "hook" for remembering the priciples taught. I probably won't remember most of the management books I read six months later, but chances are good that I'll remember this dumb story about a grade-five hockey team.

Very motivational book with a big message about team work!

This book is amazing! It is really an extended parable. Very inspiring! Great story, meanings are crystal clear. The principles are clear and very applicable to life.

Great book. Gandchildren love the simple story and learned a lot about teamwork.

Easy and fun to read with a simple message on team work. Depending of where you work and what you do and your situation, yes this book may give you some inspiration what to do next if you have team work issues. It's like a spark that will set things in motion for you. Highlight the main messages in the book and refer to them when you need to.