Just great!
I’m helping a colleague write a book on operational leadership – which is actually more about techniques than principles. You probably won’t like it. I’m hoping I like it!
And (insert expletive)! You keep adding books to my reading list! – or at least to my wish list.

I think it is great that these three authors cut through much of the “corporate speak” that usually accompanies leadership discussions.
I do not have a problem with leadership topics or training (Catalyst is a helpful conference and organization). However, I do have a problem when leadership training seems to be the primary focus in certain ministry circles. It seems to go to the extent that being a good leader is apparently the ultimate goal, rather than being a disciple of Christ. In those instances, the idea of “leadership” almost becomes an idol.

Some new for my reading list. Thanks, Scot.

Scot,
I read a fair bit of books in this genre for my work as an executive coach. It has caused me to come up with “Moore’s Law of Leadership.” That law states “as the number of leadership books published increases the number of available leaders decreases.” Tongue in cheek, but Churchill didn’t become a leader by reading leadership books. He read history and pondered the world scene while at his easel.
One caveat lector with most leadership books: they tell you what and how to do things, but rarely why. For example, Good to Great is a very readable and well-researched book that assumes going from “good to great” is always the right course of action. It never makes the case why.
A decent book I recently read is True North by Harvard prof. Bill George and Peter Sims. It is written by and for the business community, but principles broadly apply elsewhere.
Best,
Dave

FYI: The book mentioned by Nancy Beach might be “Gifted to Lead” and not “Courage to Lead” as I found the former and not the later on Amazon.

Most of the leadership books that focus on business are predictable, didactic, obvious, and/or pointless. The most worthwhile one out there, by my lights, is Garry Wills’ “Certain Trumpets,” which analyzes the many component qualities of leadership and provides types and antitypes from history.

Tim Keel’s book, “Intuitive Leadership” is a recommended title on the topic. He doesn’t lay out a technique-ish approach to leadership, but makes a book-length case for Dave Moore’s brief, but fantastic line: ‘Churchill didn’t become a leader by reading leadership books. He read history and pondered the world scene while at his easel.” Keel argues essentially that leadership is something that arises as we interact with the world around us, our own community and the narrative that shapes it, and therefore leadership is always a dynamic of reading yourself, community, and world. This defies easy formulas and techniques but calls for truly gifted (charismatic?) leaders.

So Scot, how do you feel about “Leadership” journal? I know, the name comes from a bygone era when more pastors were fawning over corporate management methodology, but most younger pastors today (myself included) are not a fan of the name even if they value the content.
Skye
managing editor of “Leadership” journal.

Skye,
I am not sure that the “leadership” era is so bygone. I believe we are still engrossed by it and believe the corporate structure is still the silver bullet.

Scot,
As a pastor and student of organizational leadership, I share at least some of your perspective regarding church leadership books. I am not familiar with the books you cited, but most of the church leadership books I see are inadequate, shallow or just plain wrong.
One of the chief problems in church leadership literature seems to be the assumption that leading means imposing the leader’s will on the followers. At best such an approach is paternalistic and at worst it is egocentric and autocratic. This is precisely the paradigm of leadership that Jesus discouraged. No wonder many of us find it distasteful.
How about a renewed vision of leadership as leading for the well being of the led rather than for the self-interest of the leader? Let’s reject manipulative techniques and especially manipulative leaders and begin honoring and respecting people. After all Jesus believed in people, shouldn’t we?
Properly understood and practiced leadership is an essential ingredient in moving the church forward. It’s that understanding and practice that needs correction. As church leaders I hope we will seek and find that correction rather than let our disappointment with the leadership status quo discourage us.
Rick