If you’re a linear thinker and leader, this book may not be for you. Or perhaps, it was written exactly for you (and me) … as long as we’re willing to stretch and bend and become a little less linear.
The full title of Nancy Ortberg’s new book is Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands: Lessons in Non-Linear Leadership. It is an engaging work on leadership, drawing on her own experiences at Willow Creek and in other arenas, and also on her work as a leadership consultant. To underscore the non-linear concept, the book does not propose a neat formula or framework on how to be the best leader, but simply offers a variety of practical observations.
So what’s the deal with rubber bands? They’re simply a metaphor for the people we’re leading and developing. Stretched too far, they’ll break. But if not stretched enough, they don’t accomplish anything of value. It’s our job as leaders to figure out how to stretch them just the right amount. Chapters such as “The Problem with T-Shirts,” “Stone Ships,” and “What You May Not Know About Mongooses” offer helpful insights into how to do this. As a leader who too often focuses on tasks rather than people, I’m glad to have been challenged to more effectively unleash the power of rubber bands.
Mike Bonem
www.SecondChairLeaders.com
I have read it. Nice Book
http://dealzfirst.com
Posted by: mani | Oct 22, 2008 at 02:39 AM