Leadership Lessons of Jesus

Great book for recognizing leadership principles, important to read for details. I was a bit surprised at how many simple examples of principles I would discover. A small read but quality over quantity.

I normally shy away from the platitudes and punditry of self-help and business "rules, tools, & tips", but I saw this book in the uniform sales shop that serves the US Special Operations Command,right next to War of the Flea: The Classic Study of Guerrilla Warfare, and I could not resist. This little volume will join The Astonished Universe, a French-English side by side poetry book that celebrates life, in my travel briefcase. I write this sitting by the window of an old estate in Provance, France, while attending a retreat with four others active in the Collective Intelligence movement. I bought it primarily because it was on sale in the bookstore that serves the U.S. Special Operations Command. Written by a sports writer and producer in partnership with a pastor, it provides the reader with 52 segments, each consisting of a quotation from scripture, and then a two page double-spaced discussion. I found this book over-all to be thoughtful and practical and not at all "preachy." The authors immediately drew me in, non-practicing believer that I am, by stating up front that this little guide was a means of discovering and/or reintroducing Jesus to your life. That did it for me, I'm ready. The book opens with an emphasis on truth as the most important element of both faith and performance, then surprised me by emphasizing that how a leader is perceived is something the leader can never hear too much of. The authors are at one with Peter Drucker is saying that the best lives are those in which the person is deeply enmeshed in a "calling" and striving to please and serve God while being faithful to their own talents and visions, accountable to others, but never subservient to others. They distinguish between management, which pays people to follow orders, and leadership, which inspires others to work selflessly in harmony with others. They emphasize that leadership is personal, not at all removed or elitist. One segment stresses the importance of breaking bread with those you seek to lead. At this retreat that I am on, the food--vegetarian and the basics--bread, oil, fruit--is being treated as a spiritual celebration in its own right, so I would add that it is not just breaking bread, but doing so in communion with the Earth that gave us the food, and with one another who seek to save the Earth for future generations. Among the many bullets that I noted: * Leaders are disciplined in time management * Leaders use prayer as reflection * Leaders are teachers, and can teach under all circumstances including hostile * Enduring leaders are compassionate * Diversity is good for team building * Core values are enduring, but in practice adaptation is essential * Speak to the masses but nurture an inner core of future leaders * Understand the importance of strategic withdrawals and pauses * Setting for major announcements or intense dialogs are important--airport hotels are pedestrian, retreats with memorable environments enhance and nurture

This book neatly identifies major themes in leadership theory and illustrates their being practiced and taught by Jesus. While it is somewhat thin, I consider this perhaps the single best leadership book ever written nevertheless. In 200 years this book will enjoy just as much applicability as it does today and it did 2000 years ago. Few other volumes can make such claims. Regardless of whether you are (or hope to be) a military, business, political, ministry, athletic or social leader, this is the first book to read. After that I know a few hundred you might want to read. For starters you might want to peruse my Leadership Classics list.

You will truly enjoy this book! Bob Briner and Ray Pritchard bring an exciting and refreshing look at how the greatest leader in the world can provide the blueprint to become leaders in our own lives, our communities, our workplace, and especially in our own families. If you are a father, a brother, a coach, a teacher, or someone in a position of influencing another human being, this is a must read! As you read, pray for the gift of wisdom to understand all that is presented on these pages, so that you can apply them in your own lives! God Bless!

Profound leadership lessons that can be read on a daily basis and based on the life of Jesus according to the Gospel of Mark. This small book is packed with many large lessons. Every person can use the wisdom shared in whatever life's vocation they have chosen. I am using them in my workplace and with my children. A must read!

Brilliant. The authors combine leadership experience, the Life of Jesus, and clear thinking to provide today's leaders with fresh insights and perspectives. Useful, practical and easy to read, and yet demonstrates profound depth of thinking.