Ken Blanchard Interview:

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Biography:   Few people have influenced the day-to-day management of people and companies more than Ken Blanchard. A prominent, sought-after author, speaker, and business consultant, Blanchard is universally characterized by his friends, colleagues, and clients as one of the most insightful, powerful, and compassionate individuals in business today. Ken is one of the most influential leadership experts in the world and is respected for his years of groundbreaking work in the fields of leadership and management.

Q. How did you overcome the single toughest obstacle to growing your business?

A. I think the toughest obstacle was getting myself out of the way. So often founders of organizations don’t realize what their skills are and they try to do things that are not in the best interest of the business. I’m basically a cheerleader. I love to dream, encourage, and cheer people on. I realized early on that my wife Margie was better at running the business, so she was the President and I initially was the Chairman. Now my title is Chief Spiritual Officer. I’m not even on the executive committee. My main job is to cheerlead and support people. I leave a morning message every day to encourage people, praise people, and give them an inspirational message. I also mention in my morning messages who we need to pray for, because employees tell me who is hurting in their families. Cheerleading, writing books, and giving speeches was my way of overcoming the obstacle of applying the wrong skills to the business, and I think our company grown as a result.

Q. What keeps you inspired to be great after so many years?

A. I’m just having fun. I can’t imagine retiring. When I turned 65, I talked to the famous motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, on the phone. He invited Margie and me to the 59th anniversary of his 21st birthday—he was turning 80. I said, “Zig, are you going to retire?” He said, “There’s no mention of retirement in the Bible! Except for Jesus, Mary, and David, nobody under 80 made an impact. I’m refiring, I’m not retiring!” I think that’s what I’m doing. I’m having a wonderful time writing and cheerleading our company as well as supporting the Lead Like Jesus ministry that I cofounded. I’m also busy with an initiative in San Diego that’s trying to make this a servant leadership town.

Q. What is the best business advice you’ve ever received?

A. Richard Pratt—a corporation president and member of the YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization)—told Margie and me early in our business careers that there were four keys to being a successful entrepreneur:

1.       Sales must exceed expenses.

2.       Collect your bills.

3.       Take care of your people.

4.       Take care of your customers.

That advice has been really sound. We’re always trying to make sure that we are sound financially, that we have a motivated workforce, and that we take care of our raving fan customers.

Q. Since you co-founded the Ken Blanchard Companies with your wife, what advice do you have for married couples in business?

A. Becoming successful in business and having a happy marriage are not mutually exclusive. But it’s important to remember that you and your spouse are a team—so you need to act like one. That means spending fun times together outside of work, too. Relationships can deteriorate when they aren’t nourished. Your marriage has to take priority when you’re balancing your business and personal lives.

Q. If you were starting from scratch today with no money, no contacts, no business—just your accumulated wisdom—what would you do?

A. I would probably just enjoy my grandchildren and write books.