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The Self-Aware Leader: Discovering Your Blind Spots to Reach Your Ministry Potential
Effective ministry begins here. You've studied what you think you need to know before entering a career in ministry. Is there anything that is more important than knowing about hermeneutics, homiletics, theology, exegesis, and everything else you have likely learned in seminary and church ministry so far? Yes, there is. How well do you know yourself? You need to build your ministry career on the right foundation of an objective understanding of self. If you don't comprehend your strengths and weaknesses, then you won't be fully prepared to enter the crucible of ministry. Serving as a pastor is one of the toughest calls there is. But it can also be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding, especially if you have taken the time to examine both your gifts and vulnerabilities. The church needs leaders who have the clear-eyed courage to pursue the hardest part of the ministry journey: seeing yourself. The Self-Aware Leader will help you to do just that.
184 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2017
59 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Terry Linhart
13 books22 followersTerry is an educator and strategist who develops and launches leaders to lead ministries, non-profits, churches, and mission-driven businesses. Terry is the executive director of extension studies at Bethel University (Indiana). He is also the founder/director of Arbor Research Group, a division of TDL Collective. Arbor Research Group (www.arborresearchgroup.org) is an agency that supports Christian organizations and mission-driven businesses with actionable insights, workplace support, and leverageable data for strategic decision-making.
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June 19, 2018
Summary: Explores the blind spots of one's leadership and helps us become aware of the unseen influences that shape and hinder us, so that brought into the open, they can be recognized, addressed, and redeemed.
It hardly seems that a month goes by where we don't hear the sad tale of some prominent Christian leader who must step down from leadership because of some personal failing. You probably can multiply these publicized stories a hundred times over with the unpublicized but painful stories of lesser-known leaders, and often, those they have led. We've instituted accountability groups, training, oversight--and yet the frequency seems as great as ever.
Terry Linhart would argue that part of the reason is a failure to address our blind spots in leadership:
"The phrase blind spots is regularly used in leadership circles to describe problems or patterns that lurk unseen and pose potential danger. For the last two decades I have been developing and equipping young adults to serve as ministry leaders, pastors, youth workers, missionaries, and managers. That process includes helping them reflect on what they may not notice—the areas of their life too personal or hidden to see easily—that may pose potential problems. The truth is that we all have such areas, even if we’re not that young" (p. 10).
Drivers learn where their blind spots are, and "clear" them when changing lanes or maneuvering. Linhart would contend that we need to develop similar practices of self-awareness for the blind spots in our lives. He uses an example of a cross country coach who called him out to run a better race than he thought he had in him, and in this book acts as a coach, helping us become aware of those blind spots that thwart running our best race as leaders for God's "well done." He explores seven area:
Self. At best, leading out of the unique personality and gifts of who we are rather than competing or wishing we were like someone else. He invites us to take "selfies" of our reactions and reflect upon them.
Past. All of us have developed "scripts" from past experience, sometimes deeply painful experiences, that unconsciously shape our behavior patterns. Often, others can help us recognize these and experience healing as we understand where they come from, and how grace brings healing to them.
Temptations. He addresses the "big five" of seeking prominence, control, materialism ("shiny stuff"), inappropriate intimacy, and resentment.
Emotions. He challenges us to emotional maturity through learning to "keep a sentry," label our feelings, be aware of other emotions, recognize the intensity of emotions, particularly unusual reactions, manage emotions, learn from them, and submit them to Jesus.
Pressures. Leadership is living with pressure. Understanding internal and external pressures and developing systems to address pressure is vital.
Conflicts. Conflict, like pressure is a reality of leadership. It can be handled badly or well. He offers ten pointers to healthy conflict resolution and concludes with some vital insights on passive-aggressiveness.
Margins. Leaders often lack margins in their days, weeks, months, and yearly patterns to listen to God, to grow and renew mentally, and to recover from intense periods of work. He describes the idea of "sprint-drift" that I've found so describes the life of ministry. The danger is we try to sprint all the time!
Each chapter includes "self checks" to apply concepts and concludes with questions "for greater awareness."
This is one of those books I wish I had forty years ago! I think I've learned most of the lessons in here, mostly by making a ton of mistakes, and sometimes through the gift of insightful people who observed my blind spots and helped me become aware of them. And that brings me to a paradox in this book. We don't become self-aware by ourselves. We may take initiatives to ask others how they see us, but the truth is that there are some blind spots we will only see through the help of another--a spouse, a supervisor, a coach, or those we lead.
Linhart is a good coach. He shares his own journey toward self-awareness, his own failings and then, sometimes gently, and sometimes more annoyingly, presses us toward our best self in Christ. I once heard a prominent leader observe that people love to be led well and that aspiring to lead is a noble thing. Sadly, this leader has experienced his own failure in leadership that may reflect a certain lack of self-awareness. But the observation stands. What Linhart helps us to see is that those who lead without ending badly are those who continue to search out the blind spots that may thwart or disqualify them. Perhaps the greatest danger to the leader is the vulnerability one thinks one doesn't have or doesn't know about. Linhart names them without shaming us and offers guidance without guilt. Like that cross country coach, he gives us hope that we might be capable of more than we think possible even as we become more aware of who we are.
It hardly seems that a month goes by where we don't hear the sad tale of some prominent Christian leader who must step down from leadership because of some personal failing. You probably can multiply these publicized stories a hundred times over with the unpublicized but painful stories of lesser-known leaders, and often, those they have led. We've instituted accountability groups, training, oversight--and yet the frequency seems as great as ever.
Terry Linhart would argue that part of the reason is a failure to address our blind spots in leadership:
"The phrase blind spots is regularly used in leadership circles to describe problems or patterns that lurk unseen and pose potential danger. For the last two decades I have been developing and equipping young adults to serve as ministry leaders, pastors, youth workers, missionaries, and managers. That process includes helping them reflect on what they may not notice—the areas of their life too personal or hidden to see easily—that may pose potential problems. The truth is that we all have such areas, even if we’re not that young" (p. 10).
Drivers learn where their blind spots are, and "clear" them when changing lanes or maneuvering. Linhart would contend that we need to develop similar practices of self-awareness for the blind spots in our lives. He uses an example of a cross country coach who called him out to run a better race than he thought he had in him, and in this book acts as a coach, helping us become aware of those blind spots that thwart running our best race as leaders for God's "well done." He explores seven area:
Self. At best, leading out of the unique personality and gifts of who we are rather than competing or wishing we were like someone else. He invites us to take "selfies" of our reactions and reflect upon them.
Past. All of us have developed "scripts" from past experience, sometimes deeply painful experiences, that unconsciously shape our behavior patterns. Often, others can help us recognize these and experience healing as we understand where they come from, and how grace brings healing to them.
Temptations. He addresses the "big five" of seeking prominence, control, materialism ("shiny stuff"), inappropriate intimacy, and resentment.
Emotions. He challenges us to emotional maturity through learning to "keep a sentry," label our feelings, be aware of other emotions, recognize the intensity of emotions, particularly unusual reactions, manage emotions, learn from them, and submit them to Jesus.
Pressures. Leadership is living with pressure. Understanding internal and external pressures and developing systems to address pressure is vital.
Conflicts. Conflict, like pressure is a reality of leadership. It can be handled badly or well. He offers ten pointers to healthy conflict resolution and concludes with some vital insights on passive-aggressiveness.
Margins. Leaders often lack margins in their days, weeks, months, and yearly patterns to listen to God, to grow and renew mentally, and to recover from intense periods of work. He describes the idea of "sprint-drift" that I've found so describes the life of ministry. The danger is we try to sprint all the time!
Each chapter includes "self checks" to apply concepts and concludes with questions "for greater awareness."
This is one of those books I wish I had forty years ago! I think I've learned most of the lessons in here, mostly by making a ton of mistakes, and sometimes through the gift of insightful people who observed my blind spots and helped me become aware of them. And that brings me to a paradox in this book. We don't become self-aware by ourselves. We may take initiatives to ask others how they see us, but the truth is that there are some blind spots we will only see through the help of another--a spouse, a supervisor, a coach, or those we lead.
Linhart is a good coach. He shares his own journey toward self-awareness, his own failings and then, sometimes gently, and sometimes more annoyingly, presses us toward our best self in Christ. I once heard a prominent leader observe that people love to be led well and that aspiring to lead is a noble thing. Sadly, this leader has experienced his own failure in leadership that may reflect a certain lack of self-awareness. But the observation stands. What Linhart helps us to see is that those who lead without ending badly are those who continue to search out the blind spots that may thwart or disqualify them. Perhaps the greatest danger to the leader is the vulnerability one thinks one doesn't have or doesn't know about. Linhart names them without shaming us and offers guidance without guilt. Like that cross country coach, he gives us hope that we might be capable of more than we think possible even as we become more aware of who we are.
June 26, 2020
The Self-Aware Leader is an excellent Self-Awareness 101 resource. It covers all the possible bases of unhealth found in leadership and gently pulls the rug up to reveal what’s been swept under without discouraging or demeaning the reader. I found the chapters on seeing emotion and conflict especially helpful. I would recommend this resource for anyone new to ministry—anyone with church interns or new pastoral employees would do well to offer this book to them. But it’s a book well seasoned leaders might be served well by too. They’re not called blind spots for nothing.
The only element I’d want to draw attention to, not as a critique but just to make note, is that this book would undoubtedly best serve a white male leader in the church. It’s not surprising, considering our author’s experiences and language have been (I imagine) well influenced by those positionalities. But what that means for ethnic minorities and women reading this book is that a bit of contextualization might be necessary to gain the richness and wisdom in this book. Many of his descriptions of these blind spots—how they manifest, make us feel, make us behave—is offered from a perspective that didn’t always resonate with me—Asian and female. This is important because I think every blind spot he mentioned can be seen in any leader of a western or western-influenced church. So that means being anything but a white man requires that the reader be a bit more humble and a bit more willing to dig and truly seek out if a particular blind spot is one you struggle with. The examples and rhetoric explaining the symptoms/feelings/history of a blind spot might not always feel like a splash of cold water if that story is not yours—that puts us in danger of pretending it’s not our problem.
In any case, it’s an excellent read and one I intend to revisit over time.
The only element I’d want to draw attention to, not as a critique but just to make note, is that this book would undoubtedly best serve a white male leader in the church. It’s not surprising, considering our author’s experiences and language have been (I imagine) well influenced by those positionalities. But what that means for ethnic minorities and women reading this book is that a bit of contextualization might be necessary to gain the richness and wisdom in this book. Many of his descriptions of these blind spots—how they manifest, make us feel, make us behave—is offered from a perspective that didn’t always resonate with me—Asian and female. This is important because I think every blind spot he mentioned can be seen in any leader of a western or western-influenced church. So that means being anything but a white man requires that the reader be a bit more humble and a bit more willing to dig and truly seek out if a particular blind spot is one you struggle with. The examples and rhetoric explaining the symptoms/feelings/history of a blind spot might not always feel like a splash of cold water if that story is not yours—that puts us in danger of pretending it’s not our problem.
In any case, it’s an excellent read and one I intend to revisit over time.
November 28, 2018
As a staff we read this book together this semester. That being said, this is one of the better books I've read on leadership. It's easy to read and really helps highlight areas of your life as a leader that are easy to overlook and become oblivious toward. I highly recommend this book to everyone really. I think even if you're not in a formal leadership position somewhere, Linhart still helps shine light on areas of life that everyone would benefit from evaluating and seeking to grow in.
April 26, 2017
The Self-Aware Leader offers a straightforward look at biblical and practical principles for good leadership and offers various perspectives from which to consider leadership skills, strategies, challenges, and improvement. I really like that Dr Linhart wove Scripture throughout to make this book clearly God-focused rather to just another in big stack of leadership books. I also enjoyed the clarity with which he described the challenges that many young ministry leaders face (some without even realizing it) and the importance of accountability, self-reflection, and encouraging honest communication to resolving them. Dr Linhart offers transparency from his own experiences, successes, and failures which, I thought, made him more credible as someone who has learned a lot from the school of life and has a passion for providing upcoming leaders the resources to avoid similar hurdles.
Furthermore, there are a lot of practical recommendations in this book to help leaders develop their thought patterns and capabilities. I have not used the discussion questions at the end of the chapters in a group setting yet, but I think they would be a good tool for a leadership team or church to reinforce and apply the book's principles in their professional or volunteer staff.
Even though this book is written with ministry leadership in mind, Dr Linhart offers a Christ-centered perspective that provides solid leadership principles for Christians in any context. I am a professional outside of vocational ministry and yet this book challenged me to examine the way that I lead my work team, identify my blind spots, and find ways to improve them. It encouraged me to pursue better communication and accountability to help me continue to identify areas for improvement. It also gave me some food for thought for interacting with those leading the ministry in which I volunteer. I am also recommending this book to my husband who is beginning his career in vocational ministry.
Furthermore, there are a lot of practical recommendations in this book to help leaders develop their thought patterns and capabilities. I have not used the discussion questions at the end of the chapters in a group setting yet, but I think they would be a good tool for a leadership team or church to reinforce and apply the book's principles in their professional or volunteer staff.
Even though this book is written with ministry leadership in mind, Dr Linhart offers a Christ-centered perspective that provides solid leadership principles for Christians in any context. I am a professional outside of vocational ministry and yet this book challenged me to examine the way that I lead my work team, identify my blind spots, and find ways to improve them. It encouraged me to pursue better communication and accountability to help me continue to identify areas for improvement. It also gave me some food for thought for interacting with those leading the ministry in which I volunteer. I am also recommending this book to my husband who is beginning his career in vocational ministry.
February 8, 2025
We will all lead in some capacity, whether that be a church, a small group, an organization, a department, or a family; thus, it’s important to be able recognize one’s faults and one’s talents. May we be self-aware!
Each chapter is practical and provides self-reflection questions to further the conversation.
On the idea of burnout, two quotes stood-out:
(1) “Though usually regarded as the result of trying to give too much, burnout in my experience results from trying to give what I do not possess.”
(2)”Self-sufficiency is the potting soil in which burnout sinks its roots. We’ve filled ourselves with ourselves, and that won’t nurture us for long.”
Each chapter is practical and provides self-reflection questions to further the conversation.
On the idea of burnout, two quotes stood-out:
(1) “Though usually regarded as the result of trying to give too much, burnout in my experience results from trying to give what I do not possess.”
(2)”Self-sufficiency is the potting soil in which burnout sinks its roots. We’ve filled ourselves with ourselves, and that won’t nurture us for long.”
August 1, 2018
Good book for young ministry leaders. Also would be good for pastors or ministry leaders going through a dry season.
January 30, 2020
Talk about boring!
May 27, 2017
In my last major leadership context, I wasn't a particularly self-aware leader. I mishandled a couple of key relationships, missed some opportunities, and failed to execute some things I tried to do. I'm not beating myself up about it, whatever self-awareness I have has been hard won. Terry Linhart's
The Self-Aware
Leader is designed to help leaders like me see where their blind spots are— the gifts, vulnerabilities, and opportunities—so we can lead effectively.
Linhart is professor of Christian ministries at Bethel College in South Bend. He has served in youth ministry, parachurch ministry, as a leadership consultant and has taught at Asbury, North Park, Hunting College, Taylor University and Alliance Graduate School. The Self-Aware Leader is chockfull of practical insights to help ministry leaders reach their full potential.
Self-awareness is a tricky thing. We all have blind spots because of the demands of ministry and our natural capacity for self-deception. Citing Gordon Smith, Linhart argues that self- discerning people are "Conscious of their own capacity for self-deception and thus of their vital need for the encouragement, support and wisdom of others" (15). Throughout the book, Linhart names each area he sees that has potential blind spots.
Chapter one invites us to self-reflection in seeing the 'race before us.' Linhart's conclusion reminds us of the end-goal, the telos of the race—a lifetime of faithful service to Jesus. Between these, Linhart describes potential blind spots as we consider ourselves, our past, our temptations, our emotions, pressures, conflict, and our 'margins.'
One of the most helpful things about naming these areas of blind spots is how comprehensive it is (though probably not exhaustive). Leaders may be self-aware about one area, but inattentive to another. Linhart does a good job of naming the trees so we can see our way ahead. I also appreciate that he doesn't see blind spots as wholly negative. "We may have a gift or opportunity that we can't see that is plain to others" (26). By probing our limited visibility, we may be awakened to new opportunities.
. One insight that I found tremendously helpful was his observation that leaders ought to lead the charge in handling conflict well, in order to foster a community that is 'warm, inviting and effective' (143). Linhart describes conflict as one of his own blind spots (as someone who tends toward conflict-avoidance). He offers sage advice on how to address conflict non-defensively, and communicate effectively.
This book is tremendously helpful. Leaders and leadership teams would benefit from reading this together. I highly recommend it. -★★★★★
Notice of Material Connection: I received this book from InterVarsity Press in exchange for my honest review
Linhart is professor of Christian ministries at Bethel College in South Bend. He has served in youth ministry, parachurch ministry, as a leadership consultant and has taught at Asbury, North Park, Hunting College, Taylor University and Alliance Graduate School. The Self-Aware Leader is chockfull of practical insights to help ministry leaders reach their full potential.
Self-awareness is a tricky thing. We all have blind spots because of the demands of ministry and our natural capacity for self-deception. Citing Gordon Smith, Linhart argues that self- discerning people are "Conscious of their own capacity for self-deception and thus of their vital need for the encouragement, support and wisdom of others" (15). Throughout the book, Linhart names each area he sees that has potential blind spots.
Chapter one invites us to self-reflection in seeing the 'race before us.' Linhart's conclusion reminds us of the end-goal, the telos of the race—a lifetime of faithful service to Jesus. Between these, Linhart describes potential blind spots as we consider ourselves, our past, our temptations, our emotions, pressures, conflict, and our 'margins.'
One of the most helpful things about naming these areas of blind spots is how comprehensive it is (though probably not exhaustive). Leaders may be self-aware about one area, but inattentive to another. Linhart does a good job of naming the trees so we can see our way ahead. I also appreciate that he doesn't see blind spots as wholly negative. "We may have a gift or opportunity that we can't see that is plain to others" (26). By probing our limited visibility, we may be awakened to new opportunities.
. One insight that I found tremendously helpful was his observation that leaders ought to lead the charge in handling conflict well, in order to foster a community that is 'warm, inviting and effective' (143). Linhart describes conflict as one of his own blind spots (as someone who tends toward conflict-avoidance). He offers sage advice on how to address conflict non-defensively, and communicate effectively.
This book is tremendously helpful. Leaders and leadership teams would benefit from reading this together. I highly recommend it. -★★★★★
Notice of Material Connection: I received this book from InterVarsity Press in exchange for my honest review
February 7, 2019
Good lord, who wants to deal with your own blindspots! No one. Turns out though it is essential when leading other people. Thought provoking and useful in processing events in one's life.
July 5, 2018
A fantastic book for new or seasoned leaders. Well written, with good examples and practical applications.
March 16, 2017
Terry Linhart’s new book, “The Self-Aware Leader: Discovering Your Blind Spots to Reach Your Ministry Potential” offers clearly defined objectives and a clarifying appraisal which encourages for self-reflection and growth. A concise eight chapters, the text is a quick read. This slim volume helps readers, whether in full-time professional ministry or in volunteer role, read and discern places which have the potential to trip them up. It then reveals a vital component of Emotional Intelligence: Self-Awareness.
Not for the faint of heart, readers will be challenged to evaluate their current and past responses to their position of service. Applicable to those both in and out of ministry, Linhart cautions readers early in the book “the glance into blind spots is not a self-help pursuit, something we do to be a better ‘me.’ It’s a time of discernment, a humble openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, a process that often leads to confession, forgiveness and a new direction” (p. 27).
The Self-Aware Leader guides the reader through chapters to assess including the Race Before Us, Self, Your Past, Your Temptations, Your Emotions, Your Pressures, Your Conflicts, and Your Margins; then neatly draws the conclusion that we, as Christian leaders, are not off the hook for fulfilling our purpose. The included self-assessments allow the reader to quickly evaluate where they are misaligning their attitude, habits, and potential hang-ups so that they can reconfigure how to avoid the blind spot in the future. With each insight, Linhart offers Biblical truth and an encouraging, transparent glimpse into his own family and professional life.
He encourages effective service with the reminder that the sacrifice does not include an exception to work with in half-hearted attempt. “If our desire is to do our best where God has placed us, then these [practical ideas] are meant to encourage you to run your best” (p. 185).
“At the intersection of maturity, Christ-centeredness, and contentedness, we find joy” (p. 105). What else, truth-seekers, could we hope for?
Not for the faint of heart, readers will be challenged to evaluate their current and past responses to their position of service. Applicable to those both in and out of ministry, Linhart cautions readers early in the book “the glance into blind spots is not a self-help pursuit, something we do to be a better ‘me.’ It’s a time of discernment, a humble openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, a process that often leads to confession, forgiveness and a new direction” (p. 27).
The Self-Aware Leader guides the reader through chapters to assess including the Race Before Us, Self, Your Past, Your Temptations, Your Emotions, Your Pressures, Your Conflicts, and Your Margins; then neatly draws the conclusion that we, as Christian leaders, are not off the hook for fulfilling our purpose. The included self-assessments allow the reader to quickly evaluate where they are misaligning their attitude, habits, and potential hang-ups so that they can reconfigure how to avoid the blind spot in the future. With each insight, Linhart offers Biblical truth and an encouraging, transparent glimpse into his own family and professional life.
He encourages effective service with the reminder that the sacrifice does not include an exception to work with in half-hearted attempt. “If our desire is to do our best where God has placed us, then these [practical ideas] are meant to encourage you to run your best” (p. 185).
“At the intersection of maturity, Christ-centeredness, and contentedness, we find joy” (p. 105). What else, truth-seekers, could we hope for?
March 15, 2017
This quote caught my attention as I began to read The Self-Aware Leader:
“Over the years, I’ve noticed that few Christian organizations or churches help young leaders systematically and intentionally with their personal development. “page 10.
In 35 years of full time Christian ministry, I have seen many pastors and Christian workers leave the ministry for various reasons. Developing self-awareness early on in ministry is a critical skill. This book provides a great resource for all ages of leaders, but especially for leaders in the first 5-10 years of ministry. Online tools are provided along with the book to help leaders assess and address potential blind spots.
The Self-Aware Leader is an excellent resource for senior leaders to use with younger staff members. I recommended this resource for small group study.
“Over the years, I’ve noticed that few Christian organizations or churches help young leaders systematically and intentionally with their personal development. “page 10.
In 35 years of full time Christian ministry, I have seen many pastors and Christian workers leave the ministry for various reasons. Developing self-awareness early on in ministry is a critical skill. This book provides a great resource for all ages of leaders, but especially for leaders in the first 5-10 years of ministry. Online tools are provided along with the book to help leaders assess and address potential blind spots.
The Self-Aware Leader is an excellent resource for senior leaders to use with younger staff members. I recommended this resource for small group study.
August 31, 2023
Really appreciated this book. I felt like it was an overall helpful and timely read. The author takes the reader on a well-rounded journey in terms of leadership and how to set yourself up for success while navigating the likely landmines of life and leadership.
The focus more and more is on how we present ourselves and tailoring what we want to communicate about ourselves to the world. However, this has tended to result in a lack of self-awareness of how others might receive us or experience us. We’re too focused on what we want to get across, not focused enough on how it’s received. This book can be a helpful course correct.
The focus more and more is on how we present ourselves and tailoring what we want to communicate about ourselves to the world. However, this has tended to result in a lack of self-awareness of how others might receive us or experience us. We’re too focused on what we want to get across, not focused enough on how it’s received. This book can be a helpful course correct.
December 8, 2019
A pastor friend recently gave me this book, and I am glad I took time to read it shortly after he gave it to me. As the author points out, people naturally have a low self-awareness. It is never fun to be under a leader who "just doesn't get it" about themselves and how they affect others. Terry has given us a book that anybody who takes time to ready it can appreciate. He gives practical steps at the end of each chapter, and he powerfully uses story telling to illustrate his point.
August 11, 2017
This was a practical and helpful little book to read. I found his chapter on margins, temptations and conflicts to be exceedingly frank and honest. I also appreciated the chapter on Emotions. Overall, I'd recommend any young leader to read and journal through this book. The questions at the end of every chapter were great for me to journal through. @ivpress
November 12, 2017
Full of Leadership Wisdom
As one who has led and mentored in ministry for nearly 50 years, I can verify that there is a lot of leadership wisdom in every chapter, much of which I am still learning. I would strongly recommend it for anyone aspiring to or practicing leadership. Recognizing and dealing with those blind spots can greatly increase a leader’s effectiveness - and prevent us from sabotaging our own leadership!
As one who has led and mentored in ministry for nearly 50 years, I can verify that there is a lot of leadership wisdom in every chapter, much of which I am still learning. I would strongly recommend it for anyone aspiring to or practicing leadership. Recognizing and dealing with those blind spots can greatly increase a leader’s effectiveness - and prevent us from sabotaging our own leadership!
March 2, 2018
Terry Linhart delivers a great resource for Christian leaders in whatever circumstances they lead in, full-time ministry or otherwise. He provides practical advice about the various blind spots leaders have, and guides his reader through how to become more self-aware. I recommend this book to any leader who desires to become better.
September 16, 2019
This book is like a having a counselling session with a Christian counselor. The author has a lot of counseling experience working with various ministry leaders. I also appreciated how the book addresses some deep emotional issues that leaders face. I recommend that book as a good guide to work together with a mentor.
January 19, 2023
There are great tips in here that can help any leader to grow, develop, and create healthy rhythms and habits that promote longevity. Additionally, this book touches on how to communicate and have empathy for those following our leadership. It is a very practical book that has a lot to offer any leader.
December 15, 2017
This right here is one of the best books of 2017, and it'll definitely become required reading in one of the Denver Seminary leadership courses.
Thank you @TerryLinhart for the gift that is this book. Every chapter is insightful, challenging, and encouraging.
Thank you @TerryLinhart for the gift that is this book. Every chapter is insightful, challenging, and encouraging.
July 11, 2023
Super helpful book that asks the hard questions about your leadership! Helped me see some blind spots in my own leadership and would be a good read for anyone in any kind of capacity of Christian leadership.
August 9, 2017
Helpful in some sections. Other sections skimmed through as it wasn't new information.
August 8, 2017
This is an excellent book. I found his insights spot-on in my own life and found his suggestions to be helpful and practical.
January 5, 2019
Would highly recommend this book to any follower of Christ, but especially those in any sort of leadership/ministry role!
April 22, 2019
It was an alright book but largely forgettable. It was a group read for me so that kept me reading it and it provoked some good conversations. But that's about it.
May 23, 2019
Fairly basic. Good for those new to leadership or church.
August 5, 2019
This book is an interesting read which gives some good food for thought to think through in your life. I liked how Linhart breaks down the known and unknown strengths and weaknesses.
March 6, 2020
Solid biblical teaching on leadership. Recommended for anyone in any type of ministry.
May 11, 2020
Very helpful book for the new leader. I appreciate his comments on passive aggressiveness and conflict.
March 4, 2021
This book’s key audience is Christian leaders that work in a church or with youth/college students. I was able to gleam some practical advice, but was limited due to bot being the target audience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews