taking this blog up another notch

This blog, the Leadership Network books blog, was launched on December 8, 2006. During its first year, we had exclusively focused on books published by Leadership Network in its partnership with Jossey-Bass and Zondervan. This was a good place to find conversations revolving around the handful of Leadership Network books published each year.

This was a good start, but we wanted to do more. So we started brainstorming about what would help our blog readers raise their awareness of insightful and helpful books.

Here's what we came up with: we are expanding the scope of this blog to be the place for practical insights from books that leaders are reading! I remembered that Howard Hendricks used to say that "leaders are readers", and wouldn't it be great to have one blog that focuses on what leaders are reading these days.

So we've invited more than a dozen Christian leaders to be contributors here, and they'll be sharing with us from time to time the books they are reading. We're anticipating that these books will cover a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to): leadership, spirituality, management, society & culture, trends, business, biography, and history.

This week is our "soft-launch", which is similar to the concept of a "preview service" in the church planting world. And next week, we'll pull out all the stops and have our official launch. With the timing of this re-launch being in the midst of the holiday season, perhaps this blog will help you find a great Christmas gift for someone on your shopping list.

Add a comment here -- we invite your feedback. And, make a mention of "what book are you reading now?"

Comments

[Joe Jordan]

A great plan. Go for it!

While I was introduced to Peter Senge's The Fifth Discipline many years ago, I'm finally getting around to making my way through it--and kicking myself that I didn't do it earlier.

I am finding the chapter on Mental Models a wonderful tool to help renew one's mind--replacing faulty ways of looking at things with truth. Using Senge's insights into balancing inquiry and advocacy could eliminate a lot of unnecessary debate in organizations.

[djchuang]

Joe, thanks for the comment! I'm grateful how things are already rolling along during this soft-launch week. 3 posts about books our contributors are reading already :)

I've skimmed Senge's Fifth Discipline book years ago, and have heard how insightful that book is, and how it's helped many organizations and leaders.

[Yu-Ling]

Hi DJ,

always thankful for your insights (as well as the rest of the leadership network team).

Can't wait to read the upcoming book reviews on my RSS!