Who Kidnapped Excellence?

Most companies talk about excellence, but what does excellence really mean? What specific attitudes and practices lead to excellence? Drawing on years of study and decades of experience, authors Harry Paul, John Britt, and Ed Jent have zeroed in on five core qualities of excellence. In this entertaining and enlightening book, they tell how to give and be your best in each of these five critical dimensions and foster excellence in your organization and in your life. The book begins with a crime being committed: Excellence (personified) has been kidnapped, and Leadership assembles Excellence's team (Passion, Flexibility, Communication, Competency, and Ownership) and challenges them to work together to get their Excellence back. And who is the culprit? Has Average kidnapped Excellence and replaced Excellence's team with his own: N. Different, N. Ept, N. Flexible, Miss Communication, and Poser? A mysterious ransom note sparks the struggle between Average and Excellence. Integrated into this tale of organizational excellence is the story of Dave, a delivery man. The kidnapping causes Dave to contemplate his own life and relationships in a way that makes the paths of personal and organizational excellence cross and intertwine. Who Kidnapped Excellence? is a parable that helps organizations and individuals achieve their best in every aspect of their lives.

Coauthor of FISH!, the bestselling book that brought fun and passion back into the workplace, Harry Paul shows the world the positive power of total teamwork. Formerly a senior vice president with the Ken Blanchard Companies, he was a driving force behind the landmark blockbuster, The One Minute Manager. Today Paul is an internationally renowned speaker and management trainer.

Foreword Introduction 1. Excellence Kidnapped 2. The Demand for the Return of Excellence 3. Average and His Team Get to Work 4. Below Average 5. Passion Meets N. Different 6. Competency Meets N. Ept. 7. Flexibility Meets N. Flexibility 8. Communication Meets Miss Communication 9. Ownership Meets Poser 10. Leadership Meets the Employees 11. What Every Leader, Manager, Supervisor, and Employee Must Know About Excellence Epilogue Now ELEVATE Your Excellence! 5 People and Companies Who ‘Get It’ Jack, the Coffee Tastes Better When You Make It! Baptist Hospital First Choice Home Medical Southwest Airlines Mitchells Family of Stores Galt House Hotel Acknowledgments About the Authors