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The Leadership Ellipse: Shaping How We Lead by Who We Are
Everyone in a position of responsibility knows the tension of leadership. It may be between tasks or people, money or mission, the present or the future. One often neglected tension is between our inner spiritual longings and the outward needs of the group we lead. But we need not feel forced to choose between the two. Leadership has more in common with an ellipse with two focal points than a bull's-eye with a single target. The Leadership Ellipse is designed to help Christian leaders embrace both halves of the tension--our internal relationship with God and our external relationship with others--to find a truly authentic, integrated way to lead. If you find yourself in a lonely, isolated place of leadership, this book can be your companion. If you find yourself longing to lead in a way that is truly Christian, this book can be your guide. And if you are simply exhausted, then this book can offer you a new way to find refreshment. There is life beyond the bull's-eye.
220 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 16, 2020
The book has a lot to offer in terms of content. I like how the Fryling balances our view on spiritual formation and leadership skills and ability. Our focus should not be one or the other, it should rather be both. The author offers practical advices that assist the reader in applying the material.
However, I found the read of this book to be a little dry. When you write a leadership book, you have to take into consideration the audience. In the case of this book, it's busy church and organizational leaders! The way the book is structured, the long never-ending stories make it really difficult to engage with the material. The flow is missing as I found myself having to read super fast to skip to the main idea the author is trying to communicate. I literally took a break after every chapter.
However, I found the read of this book to be a little dry. When you write a leadership book, you have to take into consideration the audience. In the case of this book, it's busy church and organizational leaders! The way the book is structured, the long never-ending stories make it really difficult to engage with the material. The flow is missing as I found myself having to read super fast to skip to the main idea the author is trying to communicate. I literally took a break after every chapter.
October 22, 2019
Great read for leaders in any field
Fascinating book on leadership that emphasizes the importance of internal/external congruency in life. I appreciate the author’s candor in sharing life experiences. He is transparent in uncovering the “ugly” of Christian leadership, and in offering helpful, realistic solutions for the reader to implement.
Fascinating book on leadership that emphasizes the importance of internal/external congruency in life. I appreciate the author’s candor in sharing life experiences. He is transparent in uncovering the “ugly” of Christian leadership, and in offering helpful, realistic solutions for the reader to implement.
April 15, 2017
Very dry. No real actionable material but good message. Monotone reader made audio book version tough to listen to but would also be tough to read.
April 7, 2025
I have read many books on leadership over the years and Fryling's approach of addressing the inner qualities of a person based on biblical principles and how that applies to leadership is fantastic.
October 22, 2019
This book definitely grew on me. Would have given it a two at the beginning chapters. Then it became a three, finally a four. Read it in the context of my graduate class.
July 11, 2011
This book grew on me. At first I wasn't very impressed but by the end felt very enriched by the ideas and concepts that the author was communicating.
Fryling describes leadership as an ellipse. An ellipse has two points that, together, dictate the size, nature, and constancy of the figure. He describes leadership (specifically Xian) as an ellipse, with the two points being the inward and the outward life. Rather than have a dichotomy between the two, both play a role in the figure/shape of a leader.
He begins the book by discussing the inward, by focusing on the idea of loving your God with your heart, mind, soul and strength, devoting a chapter to each idea and tying spiritual disciplines to each activity. He then turns to the outer world--one that is frenzied, isolating, and fragmented--and talked about the disciplines that a leader should take on. Finally he talks about leadership itself.
The latter chapters were very helpful and insightful to me. Fryling brings together many different ideas, put forth by many different idea people, and gives you a taste of each and show how they interweave. I felt neither the frustration of an idea too thinly described or was overwhelmed by too much detail.
He does try to bring much to the table and probably could have focused his book some. His perspective also most specifically is for the leader functioning in the United States and while some of his ideas transcend that (sabbath, prayer, etc.) the ways in which he applies them is very bound to that context (which I am in currently, so it's great!).
Would definitely recommend to leaders, especially those coming from the U.S. or western contexts who are thinking about what it means to be a leader in the Christian world (both in ministry contexts and outside).
Fryling describes leadership as an ellipse. An ellipse has two points that, together, dictate the size, nature, and constancy of the figure. He describes leadership (specifically Xian) as an ellipse, with the two points being the inward and the outward life. Rather than have a dichotomy between the two, both play a role in the figure/shape of a leader.
He begins the book by discussing the inward, by focusing on the idea of loving your God with your heart, mind, soul and strength, devoting a chapter to each idea and tying spiritual disciplines to each activity. He then turns to the outer world--one that is frenzied, isolating, and fragmented--and talked about the disciplines that a leader should take on. Finally he talks about leadership itself.
The latter chapters were very helpful and insightful to me. Fryling brings together many different ideas, put forth by many different idea people, and gives you a taste of each and show how they interweave. I felt neither the frustration of an idea too thinly described or was overwhelmed by too much detail.
He does try to bring much to the table and probably could have focused his book some. His perspective also most specifically is for the leader functioning in the United States and while some of his ideas transcend that (sabbath, prayer, etc.) the ways in which he applies them is very bound to that context (which I am in currently, so it's great!).
Would definitely recommend to leaders, especially those coming from the U.S. or western contexts who are thinking about what it means to be a leader in the Christian world (both in ministry contexts and outside).
September 5, 2011
Leaders often lack a disciplined inner life, and this book is another attempt to speak to that lack. The Leadership Ellipse argues that good Christian leadership is not just about skills and abilities, but that the focus shouldn't be solely on character development either. Leaders often feel like they're trying to hit the "bullseye." Instead, Fryling suggests, they should realize they're really aiming for two targets-- quality leadership and a quality inner-life, and that hopefully, the two are integrated and can work together. (Hence, the image of the ellipse.) The book then outlines a series of disciplines for leaders, in private life, corporate life, and leadership. There were a lot of great disciplines and suggestions here, although a lot of it will feel familiar if you've read or heard a lot of teaching on spiritual disciplines and character development. However, for those looking to grow in Christian leadership and feel challenged in integrating their public and private lives, this book had a lot of valuable insight and ideas.
June 6, 2014
More review to follow :D Oops! I hit "edit" instead of adding. So here, several days later, I am adding the "more review."
I enjoyed and learned much from reading this book. I highly recommend this book for all pastors and any kind of leader interested in her/his own character and in wanting good for others. If you're looking for a book on how to lead so that your company makes more money or how to stay in power (or how to lead to get more people in church), this is not the book. This book involves character transformation. Fryling wrote well and clearly. It was easy to read (perhaps more difficult to implement depending on one's situation). I read the book as part of a book discussion group, and at one point early on, a couple of us wished Fryling had addressed the tension in the various ways of motivating people, but other than that, I learned something from every chapter and heavily highlighted the book.
I enjoyed and learned much from reading this book. I highly recommend this book for all pastors and any kind of leader interested in her/his own character and in wanting good for others. If you're looking for a book on how to lead so that your company makes more money or how to stay in power (or how to lead to get more people in church), this is not the book. This book involves character transformation. Fryling wrote well and clearly. It was easy to read (perhaps more difficult to implement depending on one's situation). I read the book as part of a book discussion group, and at one point early on, a couple of us wished Fryling had addressed the tension in the various ways of motivating people, but other than that, I learned something from every chapter and heavily highlighted the book.
February 6, 2017
If you can deal with the mansplaining in this book, there are a few nuggets of wisdom in it. However, if I had read a hard copy of this book rather than the kindle version, I would have thrown this book across my living room at least a few times each chapter. I pray no one else is required to read this book as I had to. This was hours of my life I can never get back. So if you're considering reading this book, just don't. There are so many other better leadership books out there.
January 2, 2014
The Leadership Ellipse is standard IVP fare for Christian leadership development books, though the writing is better than most. Through personal examples from many years in leadership, Fryling uses an ellipse with two focal points as a model for leadership - for an ellipse to be properly formed, it must have equal balance between the two foci. For Christian leaders to be properly formed, they must have balance between an inner life with God and an external life of ministry.
I found it a useful reminder of how I can continue forming as a leader; chapter 10 (the practice of clarity) was most helpful to me in this season.
I found it a useful reminder of how I can continue forming as a leader; chapter 10 (the practice of clarity) was most helpful to me in this season.
May 15, 2013
Robert Fryling tackles the topic of spiritual leadership in an organizational setting. The challenge of two points of focus, hence, the ellipse. Only a few christian leaders have tackled this topic. He does a good job.
April 29, 2015
I really liked this book and also attended a training time the author led that went even deeper. Developing and seeing coherence between one's internal life and external influence is the real task of leadership. Many helpful examples.
July 17, 2010
Exactly where I am in the phase in life...how to lead NOT from technique but from who I am, who God made me to be. So nice to read a book that hits me where I am NOW.
February 11, 2015
Lots of practical application. More of a "how to" book. Not really my style, but some good content. I would have given it a 3.5.
May 18, 2016
Great book for those who want to combine their spiritual disciplines and their leadership development.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews