This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

Ken Blanchard's Leading at a Higher Level techniques are inspiring thousands of executives and entrepreneurs to lead their people to greatness, as they create high-performance organizations that make life better for everyone. Blanchard's immense audience has asked for one more thing: specific, in-depth examples of how leaders and their organizations are actually implementing these techniques: the challenges they've faced, the solutions they've developed, and the results they've achieved. Starting with this book, the new Leading at a Higher Level Series will give them precisely that. In Help Me Win at Work, WD-40 Company President/CEO Garry Ridge reveals how his company has used Blanchard's techniques to "Partner for Performance" with every employee, and achieve unprecedented levels of employee engagement and commitment. Ridge introduces WD-40's performance review system, explaining its goals, its features, and the cultural changes it required. Next, Ridge shares his "leadership point of view": what he expects of people, what they can expect of him, and where his beliefs about leadership and motivation came from. Finally, in Part IV, Ken Blanchard explains why WD-40's Partnering for Performance program works so well and how it can work for you, too. This book isn't about cheerleading: it's about transforming performance review one step at a time and reaping record-breaking results!

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 9 Ratings

A well-oiled approach to a thriving business culture - 2009-07-04
Reviewer Rating:
Garry Ridge is one of a kind: yet his counsel on how to develop a thriving culture, based on his experience with global icon WD-40 Company, can be applied to any firm. The changes he undertook, outlined here, moved WD-40 beyond its historically narrow focus into a future of virtually unlimited opportunities.

He did this by simplifying, without getting caught up in ego or trying to prove his smarts. He's humble, out in front, cheering on his people, learning all the time, and never letting go of the organizational vision.

Given Garry's style, it's no surprise this book sidesteps lofty theories and niche opinions. Instead, he does what savvy business people do: frames his perspective with concrete examples, using the language he's gleaned from seminal thinkers who have influenced him ("Getting an A," Ben Zander... and frankly, anyone who has thought much about where school has gone wrong; Setting "Big Hairy Audacious Goals/BHAG" and making sure the "Right people are on the bus," Jim Collins).

From this book you'll get detail about WD-40's performance review system (including forms and specifics, "you don't want to save up feedback until somebody fails"), the difference between teams and tribes ("a tribe is a place you belong; a team is something you play on once in a while"), goal-setting and ensuring everyone excels ("we owe each other for something we've agreed upon"). And he shares one of my favorite lines from any CEO, "If our culture of candor, caring, accountability, and responsibility doesn't work for you, let's share you with a competitor."

This isn't a typical Ken Blanchard partnership book. There isn't a story of a leader or a management team in a bind. It's a 2-part book outlining how and why Garry leads WD-40 by example, takes his duty running the squeak, smell and dirt business seriously, with humor, and graciousness. Then Ken walks the reader through the simple truths that help put Garry's decisions and practices into context so you can make these ideas your own. This book moves WD-40 Company from under your sink to a trusted place on business bookshelves.

A worthwhile read for any manager - 2009-09-14
Reviewer Rating:
A helping hand can go a long way further than harsh criticism. "Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy Called 'Don't Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A'" speaks of a more progressive business philosophy that seeks to improve performance in the workplace by correcting errors instead of punishing them. With many helpful corporate examples of the philosophy in practice, "Helping People Win at Work" gives business leaders much to learn from about strengthening weaknesses in one's organization. "Helping People Win at Work" is a worthwhile read for any manager.

Performance and Learning Development - 2009-07-17
Reviewer Rating:
An excellent resource for my organization. We are modeling our performance management program and learning development process around the concepts presented in this book. The WD-40 corporate culture and the success Ridge has had in building it is exemplar - a true testament to inspiring employee engagement and building value for the long term.

Excellent Tool - 2009-08-31
Reviewer Rating:
I really enjoyed this book! There are many helpful ideas for improving employee morale and overall communication. Like many books of this type, there are parts that seem unrealistic for all work environments. However, unlike many books of this type, the overall theme and concept can be adapted to your business structure and existing culture. I am proof that even if this concept is not developed exactly as it is written - the benefits are still there!!! Enjoy the journey!

Good people practices bring out the best in your people - 2009-06-14
Reviewer Rating:
Attila the hun practices belong to his time in the world, not our time - we have the privelege of nuturing and growing our our individual team members' possibilies, drawing out their best selves so that we deliver superlative results as well as bringing out the best in our people. This is simple to read and apply - start your journey bringing the best out of people - your people will love it and you will love the performance and growth that they sustainably deliver.

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