Review: Lead Like Jesus

I am starting to get some reviews back from our volunteer "winners" of the Great Book Giveaway.
I will soon post another list of free books but here is our first review.

Jesus was a servant leader and we are to be like Jesus. But what does it mean to be a servant leader in today’s wealth and power driven society? Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges tackle this question in their book Lead Like Jesus.

“Leadership is a process of influence. Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of people in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader.” That definition qualifies all of us as leaders in some aspect of our lives, whether we are a pastor, parent, teacher, CEO, coach, or friend. We all influence others, our actions and attitudes determine whether that influence is positive or negative.

Other leadership books differentiate between self-serving and servant leaders, but in Lead Like Jesus we learn the heart, head, hands, and habits of each, along with practical ways to challenge and grow more like Jesus. Blanchard and Hodges describe how we can lead others along a learning stage from novice to apprentice to journeyman and finally to master, facing and overcoming issues and obstacles at each stage.

Jesus wanted those around him to succeed. He had vision, values, and purpose, he stated them  clearly, and did all he could to see they were carried out. “Jesus modeled the heart of a true servant leader by investing most of his ministry time training and equipping the disciples for leadership.” One of the greatest challenges leaders today face is training and developing new leaders. We read in this book how Jesus empowered and gave ownership to those around him, concerned more with their success than his own. We all say we want to raise up leaders, yet too often pride and/or fear interferes, either on the part of the leader, or by the one being led. Developing the relationships to eliminate this enables leadership with integrity and success and is one of the things that Jesus did best.

Lead Like Jesus is a book that can be used by individuals or by leadership teams. The practical key points, questions, and applications foster accountability and discussion. The book concludes with “Next Step Tools” that challenge and can be revisited time and time again. Jesus is the greatest leader of all time and Jesus calls us to be servant leaders. Lead Like Jesus is a tool that can help guide us toward that goal. It will make a difference in your leadership and in those you influence.

Rindy Walton
Walls Down Church--church planting team
http://rindywalton.com