Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs

by Bill Hybels

PMThe best leaders not only lead well but also reflect on their leadership long enough and thoughtfully enough to articulate the philosophies that cause them to do so. Whether serving in the marketplace or in ministry, as executives or rank-and-file employees, as salaried staff or volunteer servants, good leaders can pinpoint the rationale for their actions and decisions with the ease of reciting their home address. In Axiom: author Bill Hybels divulges the God-given convictions that have dictated his leadership strategy for more than three decades as senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. Oriented toward four key leadership categories ... 1. Vision and strategy ('Promote Shameless Profitability,' 'Take a Flyer') 2. Teamwork and communication ('Obi-Wan Kenobi Isn't for Hire,' 'Disagree without Drawing Blood') 3. Activity and assessment ('Develop a Mole System,' 'Sweat the Small Stuff') 4. Personal integrity ('Admit Mistakes, and Your Stock Goes Up,' 'Fight for Your Family') ...Axiom brokers accessible wisdom from one leader's journey, as well as emboldens you to nail down the reasons why you lead like you lea

Genres: Leadership, Business, Christian, Nonfiction, Church, Self Help, Christian Non Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 17, 2008

About the author

Bill Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, a non-denominational church with eight regional locations in the Chicago area. He is the bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Simplify, Axiom, Holy Discontent, Just Walk Across the Room, The Volunteer Revolution, Courageous Leadership, Too Busy Not to Pray, and Becoming a Contagious Christian.

Hybels launched Willow Creek Community Church in 1975 with his wife, Lynne (Berry), and a group of friends who gathered in rented space in a movie theater with a vision of helping people from any faith background (or no faith at all) become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Utilizing contemporary music, the arts, relevant teaching from the Bible, and a small-groups community focus that has revolutionized how people experience community in the local church, Willow Creek has grown to more than 25,000 attendees, one of the largest churches in North America—and one of the most influential.

In 1992, Hybels launched Willow Creek Association, a not-for-profit organization that equips, inspires, and empowers leaders around the world. In 1995, he convened WCA’s first Global Leadership Summit, an annual two-day event featuring top leaders from all perspectives and areas of expertise—both faith-based and secular (past speakers include Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Bono, Melinda Gates, Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Ed Catmull, Tyler Perry, Sheryl Sandberg, Nicholas Kristof, David Gergen, and Brené Brown). Telecast live from Willow Creek’s 7,000-seat South Barrington auditorium each August, more than 400,000 pastors and community leaders attend the Summit at hundreds of locations across North America, and around the world at 675+ sites in 130 countries and 60 different languages—making it the largest event of its kind on the planet. “Everyone wins when a leader gets better,” Hybels says.

Hybels holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Trinity College (now Trinity International University) in Deerfield, Illinois. He and his wife, Lynne, have two grown children and two grandsons.

Reviews

[Zachary Adams]

An interesting exercise in gleaning wisdom from a questionable source. I would not have read this if it wasn’t assigned to me. There were some good nuggets. However, I know hindsight is 20/20, but Hybels really does come off as a bully in this book. There are moments that he quotes himself, and some of the things he quotes himself saying are just mean and condescending. The last sentence of the book did not age well and is haunting in light of where he’s found himself.

[Érika · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pesar de tener algunas frases buenas es aburrido.

[Asnaldo Alvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maravillosos consejos para todo líder que desee desarrollar una labor de excelencia.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book! If you're looking for some leadership principles that are solid, relevant, deep, and easy to apply, this book is for you! (Or even if you're not looking for leadership tips. Read this book anyway)

[Phil Whittall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few of Bill Hybels' books now, and a few things are blindingly obvious. The man is fired up about, I think just three things the local church, evangelism and leadership (well possibly sailing as well but he's not written a book on that yet). Axiom is one on leadership. It reads quick as it is essentially his leadership proverbs, truths discovered over his years as senior pastor at Willow Creek and digested into bite size chunks.

You can either read this book start to finish (as I did) or dip in and out and follow different leadership paths as the book connects up different leadership lessons. Both would work, but I'm a front to back kind of reader.

It seems to me that Bill is the ultimate CEO style church leader, no question this guy could lead a major corporation and although this is not the only leadership style there is still so much to learn that would help me become a better leader. Having read it once, I really need to go back through it, pencil in hand.

If you're a leader or aspire to leadership then this is a great book to read, it will sharpen your thinking no end, give you great insights into many leadership challenges and battles and set you thinking with renewed energy about how to advance in your area of leadership. I'm not sure I'm a CEO kind of leader, unless there's a new scruffy kind of CEO, but I wouldn't hesitate in getting prospective leaders to read this.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since my first encounter with Hybels around 1994, I've been a student and fan. I've listened to hundreds of hours of his material and count him among those who've influenced my thinking. While few of the axioms listed in this book were new to me, I still appreciate the fact that he collected them in one place. I've borrowed many of these lines and use them on a weekly basis. For example, "umbrella of mercy" or "vision leaks" are phrases I use almost daily. One that was new for me? Six by six execution. The idea of pushing on one project for six weeks makes a great deal of sense to me. Six months? No way. Too long. Six days? No, we'd just be getting started. Six weeks is enough time to gather the right team and push the ball down the field a ways.

I also like this genre because it allows one to read in bites. I found that I read this book in pieces and, yes, I was one who bopped around by using the links from each chapter; I did not read it beginning to end.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought Axiom was ok, but honestly, I felt like it was getting long towards the end. I liken it to Bill Hybels fortune cookies (but longer & meatier). Some of his "leadership proverbs" I had heard before, although there were a few stand out ones for me (I've listed a few below). I suspect that this is the kind of book you probably revisit every so often to pull out a good nugget of truth for whatever leadership stage you find yourself in.

Some highlights (of newer info for me):

Six-By-Six Execution (what is the greatest contribution i can make to ____ in the next six weeks?)

Doable Hard verses Destructive Hard

Is It Sustainable?

Are We Still Having Fun?

Read All You Can

There are a lot of great thoughts in this book, and I the ones I have heard, at least now I'm hearing from the source as opposed to second hand. I would recommend it for anyone in leadership. It just didn't blow me away.

[Wayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hybels writing style is not enjoyable. Though readable, it's often boring.

Also, Hybels really demonstrates his commitment to a model of church heavily infuenced by business models. In some respects, this book was not overly helpful for those who are not in multi-staff, massive ministries.

Some chapters were better than others (more helpful) and could perhaps be extracted for teaching purposes, but on the whole I would not recommend this book.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is in my Top 5 of all-time favorite leadership books. It's a great resource of leadership insights from a great leader. It's also a great book to give your team. Highly recommend it.

[Emil Bredahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exellent book that I truly enjoyed

[Jennifer Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief, high-level snippets of wisdom

I like mottos and word pictures to communicate concepts and experiences. This is exactly what is provided here, from the author's extensive leadership experience. Each chapter is brief enough to read one or two daily over time, or to read through over a long weekend to clarify new vision and key actions. (I left the weekend with a "Six by Six."). I tried to read it a year or two ago and it could not hold my attention. This weekend, it was exactly what I needed. Four stars for the perfect timing, clarity of communication and giving me a few actionable takeaways.

[Cigno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding leadership book by one of the great current leaders in America in an easy-to-use/easy-to-reference format.
This wonderful read contains 76 leadership axioms with 2-3 page explanations and descriptions for each.
The axioms are divided into four categories: vision and strategy, teamwork and communication, activity and assessment, and personal integrity.
Bill Hybels is a church leader so he writes from the perspective of leading churches and worldwide ministries however, his insights are applicable for leadership in all areas.

[Emilio Abiusi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting to read a Hybels book on leadership in light of his recent history. Ironically this context makes Hybels’ list of good to decent leadership axioms (it is clear that some of these tips are just filler to meet the publishers manuscript page quota) far more engaging to read.

Hybels is a modern Solomon. All the wisdom in the world and the inability to apply it. May we learn from his wisdom and his failure.

Final thoughts:
Would only recommend for pastors / ministry staff.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very handy book. It doesn’t develop a thesis sequentially, it’s just a series of very short, punchy, pithy chapters. Because of that, it’s pretty hit or miss. Many chapters are excellent, some are duds. It’s just the nature of the format. But overall, very helpful for leaders of all levels.

[Bryan Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do realize that there has been some controversy with Bill Hybels and his leadership recently. With that being said, this was one of the best books that I have read this year. Hybel's Axioms are a must read especially for young leaders in the church.

[Scott Maclellan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Definitely some gems in there, but not all suggestions resonated with me. It reminds me a bit of Principles by Ray Dalio but applied to a completely different context. Intended for use in a Church, but still applicable to the marketplace.

[Baron Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-have for any leader's desk. It's packed with invaluable insights on how to lead people and organizations with excellence. The concise chapters are perfect for incorporating into staff meetings as quick, uplifting "devotionals" on leadership.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book on leadership. There is so much great stuff in here that I think I should add this to an annual reading list to try and remind myself of it.

[Taylor Reavely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been written in 20 pages. Read for the principles--they are largely self-explanatory.

[Hugh Laybourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

great nuggets of practicasl leadership truths

[Stephen Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ONE book on leadership that every pastor or Christian in leadership should read and re-read.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Proverbs/Axioms

Great for ministry or the business world. Enjoyed each proverbs and the revelation that came. My favorite, Tunnel of Chaos!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure trove of easily digestible leadership wisdom from one of the greatest leaders of the evangelical world today!

[Wai Mun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book cover to cover within 3 days.

Great compilation of bite sized leadership principles that are highly applicable to modern-day leadership. Would recommend!

[Aaron Hixson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super good. How more leadership books should be - punchy

[Randy McCollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for any person in s position of leadership, Most especially pastors and leaders in the church.

[Phil]

really difficult to read after the revelations of 2018. primary source research for master's thesis

[Diana Hoekstra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bill Hybels is a sexual abuser, making him the worst possible leader. I read his material before this news came out. I no longer would recommend any of his work.

[Noah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't give this book enough Stars or Praise.
It is an absolute essential in the arsenal of any leader regardless of their leading field.

[Brayden Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good and valuable leadership insights.