NOT YET…
The series of posts on the book that is.
Love ought to work all the time. Especially when it comes to leadership.
Leadership has been defined many ways:
“Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
“Leadership is attitude.”
“Leadership is action, not attitude.”
“Leadership is servanthood.”
“Leaders don’t flock; you find them one at a time.”
And so on. You can actually find a whole slew of quotes on leadership by visiting this site and picking up his ebook.
Love Works is a book by Joel Manby. It is subtitled “Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders.” Personally, I think Joel hit, not just a home run, but a grand slam. This is not a book you will have to put your higher education hat on to read and understand. No…Joel is down-to-earth in real life and down-to-earth in this book. Maybe that is why I like this book so much. He didn’t make me feel stupid. He didn’t overwhelm me with countless machine gun bullet points. His examples/mentors were Jack & Peter Herschend, CoFounders of Herschend Family Entertainment (they run over 14 different theme parks). To give you an idea of what Joel was taught, listen to what Jack wrote in his Forward:
Wise leaders use their personal ethics to effectively manage the tension between corporate values and corporate profits…Love works. Trust me-I see the proof every day that I go to work with Joel.
Beginning next Wednesday, Jon Stolpe and I will be blogging about the lessons we learn from reading the book. We will blog for 10 weeks: Chapters 1-2 next week; the 7 Principles; 1 week on The Choice; one final week for wrap-up. It isn’t too late to get into the game. I/we would love to have you join with us on this 10 week journey. I learn a whole lot more when I actively participate in some venture than if I just read and lay the book down when done. I was so impacted by this book I went out and bought copies for Ryan, our new youth pastor (so we can study and discuss it as staff); the Gen Mgr of the Bloomington Harley-Davidson; and my youngest daughter, who is the new Director of a Daycare in Powell, OH. Whether you pastor a church, lead a dealership, or direct a daycare (or whatever else you may do that requires leadership) you need to get a hold of this book. Maybe with our posts Jon & I (and hopefully others) can convince you of that.
So…until next week. What is your idea of leadership? Do you consider yourself one? How do you show it? Would you like to participate in the blogging? Let me know.
I’m excited about this opportunity to blog together about a great book.
Me too Jon. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
I am a leader in my job. I think it boils down to wanting the best for others and your organization.
So true. That approach does make a difference.
I added this book to my to-read list. I have a bunch in the queue already, so I will follow rather than lead (for now).
As to an important point on leadership, one of the things that has served me well, is that I think it important to get your hands dirty. The folks that I manage at work regularly see me down in the trenches doing the hard work. Showing them how I would have things done, the way that I approach problem-solving, making clear why I do things the way that I do. I also use this time to build relationships. Trench warfare really builds trust and respect.
Glad you are going to read this Daniel. I will be really interested in hearing your take. As for your thoughts: wow! Any leader not willing to get his/her hands dirty is not a leader. Can’t remember who said it or exactly the quote but it is: no one should ask their follower to do something they are not willing to do themselves.
I think leadership is positively influencing someones actions and thoughts. To add value to them and help them move toward a desired future. I consider myself a leader because I have people following me. Great post!
I plan on reading the books soon.
A leader has people following Dan. So true. I know Maxwell was fond of saying, “he who thinks he leads and has no one following is only taking a walk.” Would love to have you join us in blogging about it. 😉
It’s easy to think of leaders as only the big time CEO’s, but I think we’re all leaders in some ways. And leadership, just like many other things, is a skill that we have to learn. It’s important enough to think on deeply.
Absolutely right Loren! We are all leaders in some way.
I am humbled to be a leader. In my marriage, as a Father, in my local church. I have a lot to learn about leadership – learning to trust that God will nudge me down the path He wants me to go and give me the faith I need to keep walking. Looking forward to your posts!
We all have a lot to learn my friend. Those who think they don’t have already died. Hope the posts can help. 🙂
I’m not sure when a leader truly understands the responsibility that goes along with that role or title. For Christians, those who land in that role are held to a higher standard.
I can say first hand that all the flowery talk and writing of being a leader doesn’t begin to talk of the days when it feels like I’m marching through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death. I also know feeling like that isn’t the reality, which a leader has to temper and that only happens through the leaning on the REAL leader; God himself.
I’ll follow along and see and add my two cen- I mean add my one cent along the way…
Your words remind me of James 3 when it talks about the teacher. Leadership is far more than a title. It is a lifestyle of leaning. Thanks and will love hearing your take as I post on the book.
God has always seemed to pull me to leadership and I can’t say that is where I really want to be, but as a leader (Director of the New Beginnings Crisis Pregnancy Center), with lots of exciting things planned for the center, I feel this blog is very timely for me. I will pick up the book and “see” you on Wednesday.
Love having you come by Roberta. I see good things happening with the CPC. Will “see” you tonight at 66.
I think leadership is organic and best shown through sincere and real relationships. Can it be tied down to 7 principles or 700? Hmmm, maybe somewhere in between? How many principles is not really the key…love is and it sounds like the author has hit a homerun (grandslam) with this book. I look forward to your insights my friend!
You’re right, of course Jay, that leadership cannot be boiled down to a certain number. And Joel stresses relationships over rules big time. I will look forward to any comments you may have.
My idea of leadership is someone who is faithful in the principals God has laid out for believers. Jesus is our perfect example but there is a cost to exercise this kind of leadership. The cost is self…dying to self and following Him in our own lives, in private and in public. I have on the wall above my desk this plaque. Dividends of Integrity
“The intregity of the upright will guide them.” Proverbs 11:3.
We work with a lot of young missionaries going for the first time or coming home on furlough and they are looking, seeking someone to be real with them.
I do consider myself and my husband leaders so look forward to what I can gleam from yours and Jon post. Will also pray for you both as the enemy of our soul does not want us to be an example of Jesus.
You are right Betty in that (Christian) leaders are faithful to God’s principles. Certainly appreciate your prayers for this venture.
I’m excited you and Jon are doing this series! Very great.
I don’t consider myself a leader but others seem to. I simply want to do what is right. I was taught to have integrity and that seems to be part of the foundation that has put me into a leadership role time after time…doing what is right instead of what is easy.
If others think you are a leader and follow, then guess what? 🙂 Integrity is a must. Hope this series will help you and others.
We have our own book club discussion on Wednesday, but I actually have this book and haven’t finished it so I will try to read along and be part of the conversation. I personally believe that everyone is a leader whether they consider themselves to be or not. The spheres of influence are vastly different, but everyone is leading someone somewhere in some way. I want to be the leader God made me to be! Thanks Bill.
Sorry Jason. Didn’t mean to horn in on your book club. I hadn’t read anything about it until today when you wrote about the give-away. When seen as spheres of influence there is not question we are all leaders. Good point.
Sorry, no I wasn’t complaining that you’re doing your own book! No worries. 🙂 I’m looking forward to the discussions here. Thanks Bill.
Thanks for your heart and spirit Jason. I appreciate your attitude. And I will looking forward to the discussion you will be having.
I have written this book down because you make it sound so good, like something that we need. I have heard that we are all leaders, too, so will be taking notes and gleaning all I can! God bless you!
hopefully will be sharing and giving you something that might be a blessing to you. Thanks Deb.