Rediscovering the Soul of Leadership ; Inner Disciplines for the Effective Leader (Commerative Editi

by Eugene B. Habecker

Defining leadership -- The nine tasks of leadership -- Power, authority, and trust -- Leadership and family -- The personal burden of leadership -- Personal renewal -- Pursuing excellence -- From personal to organizational leadership -- Followership -- Confrontation -- Perspective and planning -- Planning -- Compensation, transitions, and vulnerability -- Leaders and the local church -- Spiritual qualifications for leaders -- The spiritual gift of leadership -- Spiritual commitment in leadership -- Leadership and obedience -- The leaders need to pray -- Spiritual restoration, revival, and leadership.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Steven Decknick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focused on Leadership within Not-For-Profit Christian organizations, this work should be required reading for all supervisors, managers, vice presidents and C-level leaders in Christian medical centers, aid groups and churches. Habecker is extremely well-educated and writes from his background in leading a Christian college and the American Bible Society.

Pros: Delivers the essentials on the Leader must be a Follower, and doing God's work depends upon their own Christian life—including prayer and family. Habecker provides many nuggets of wisdom with clear guiding principles: what to do, how to do it, and the Scriptural references behind each. Chapter five's lessons on the importance of family cannot be ignored. Chapter sixteen wisely contrasts how the growth goals of a Christian organization should differ from those of a secular one—why do we treat these different organizations with the same measures? Chapter 23 on the Leader's need to pray—this basic action is often assumed to be understood, yet not always done. Advice on judicious use of authority and the prudence of serving where you are called by God are indispensable parts of an overall amazing compilation by Habecker.

Cons: It feels like a third of the book is made from passages quoted from other authors rather than Habecker's own thoughtful writing. Although I admit some quotes provide useful insights and clarity, multiple paragraphs from other authors and conflicting arguments from other researchers frequently dilute the power of Habecker's own words and makes parts of his book as exciting to read as a scientific research paper. Habecker's observations with Scriptural references far exceed the helpfulness of many of the quotes. In this reader's opinion, a revised edition with brief summaries of the other authors would be a much more potent contender in the management and leadership book market—and more useful to interested readers.

[BM · Rating 1 out of 5]

Extraordinarily dull. Great speaker, not-so-great writer.

[Tyler Hagen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a shame because I really like the author as a person. But this is unoriginal, uninspired, poorly edited work with some baffling points. I could go on but I've wasted enough time with this book and I hope you don't do the same.