One clever video.

The Leadership Pill, video, 2004, 23 min., Learncom Inc. (800-233-6067, www.learncom.com), $895. Leader guide, participant workbook.

Reality TV has come to the classroom.

This is a video about the making of a video with built-in leadership lessons. The environment is a movie set, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look on the action. Sidebar interviews allow the actors to reveal their feelings about each other, the director, and the teamwork among them. Throughout the staged video shoot, the director demonstrates leadership in action and shares his insight into the process. By observing these interactions, viewers learn effective leadership principles.

Near the beginning of the video, the director tells us about the storyline to be filmed. A company named Leadership Pill Industries has developed a revolutionary new medication that enhances leadership. However, not everyone believes in the power behind this pill. Therefore, a leadership competition begins between pill-taking leaders and non-pill takers.

Of course, the non-drugged leaders win the competition. While this is the storyline of the video, viewers only catch brief plot points of this story. The real action is on the video set as we observe the interactions between the actors and the director.

For example, the director shares his vision for the movie before the video shoot begins. He asks the actors for their input on scenes and helps clean up the break area, although it's clearly not in his job description to do so. The director encourages the actors and inspires them to enjoy their work. The actors are amazed at the results of their teamwork and the success of the shoot. The entire behind-the-scenes story provides viewers with subtle illustrations of the leadership principles espoused in the book.

Oh, yes, there is a book: The Leadership Pill, by Ken Blanchard and Marc Muchnick, who also join in the making of the video. On the set, the authors share their thoughts on effective leadership and expand on the key principles found in the book.

THREE KEY POINTS

The three key tenets are integrity, partnership, and affirmation. By observing the actors and catching snippets of the Leadership Pill Industries story, viewers learn the following points about each:

Integrity

* Leading with integrity means being the person you want others to be.

* Trust is what happens when values and behaviors match up.

* People are more apt to trust and respect you when what you say and what you do are the same.

Partnership

* The key to effective leadership is the relationship you build with your team.

* Sharing the big picture puts everyone on the same page.

* It is easier to get up the hill when you climb it together.

Affirmation

* Praise is the easiest way to let people know they are appreciated.

* Each of us has the power to recognize the goodness in others.

* You will go a lot further if you stop to refuel.

The final part of the video addresses "perfecting the blend," inother words, how to mix the three together. These lessons include:

* People will think for themselves when you quit doing it for them,

* Leadership is the process of getting everyone to the place they are supposed to go, and

* The highest achievement of a leader is winning the respect and trust of the team.

One of my favorite parts of this program is listening to Ken Blanchard speak about leadership. Those who have read his other books will recognize familiar sayings. For example, he discusses humility by saying, "People with humility don't think less of themselves, they just think of themselves less." He also talks about the importance of "catching people doing things right."

My only complaint about the video is the size of the text at the bottom of the screen. Throughout the video, key points are listed at the bottom of the screen. The words are small and difficult to read. I prefer larger text and a different font.

BRAVO FOR THE SUPPORT MATERIALS

I love the accompanying leader guide. It includes a "training session checklist" that is useful for both new and seasoned trainers. New trainers will especially appreciate the review of adult learning principles with its practical suggestions for classroom application. There are two detailed program agendas, one for a 90-minute session and one for a three-hour session, plus a personalized section for a trainer to design their own session. The leader guide includes sample program invitations and follow-up messages for participants as well as detailed notes for each classroom activity. A trainer can pick up this guide and after reading it just a few times, should easily be able to facilitate the course.

The participant workbook is equally good. Well designed and easy to follow, it leaves just the right amount of space for notes. Not only does it include video discussion questions, but it also follows neatly along with the leader guide activities and provides application questions that enable the participant to apply the lessons learned to their current situations. For example, the workbook's "Integrity Worksheet" asks the participants to write their observations of integrity in action, evaluate themselves on integrity, and finally list three steps they will take in the next 30 days to improve their integrity.

RECOMMENDATION

This is a clever little video with a contemporary style and interesting message. At 23 minutes, it's just the right length to explain its points and keep the viewer engaged. Combined with the leader guide, participant workbook, and book, it provides a fairly comprehensive summary of the keys to effective leadership. Although it is designed as a stand-alone training program, I'd probably use it as part of a more comprehensive curriculum or as a discussion starter for an off-site retreat.

The Leadership Pill star rating

CATEGORY

Holds viewer interest  3
Acting/Presenting      3
Diversity              3.5
Production quality     3.5
Value of content       3
Instructional value    3
Value for the money    3.5
Overall rating         3