Book Review - Lead Like Jesus
In their book Lead Like Jesus Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges encourage readers to ask themselves three key questions:
1) Am I a leader? (pg. 4)
2) Am I willing to follow Jesus as my leadership role model? (pg. 11)
3) How do I lead like Jesus? (pg. 19)
The authors try to define who is a leader. They say “Leadership is a process of influence. Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behaviour, or development of people in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader.” (pg. 5) You might be a parent, a teacher, a nurse, a pastor, a coach, or an adult child helping her aging parents. There are differences between being a “life leader” (such as a parent) and an “organizational leader” (a manager in a company). The author defines leadership as influence in a positive or negative direction.
Blanchard & Hodges say leaders are defined by how they use their influence, they say. If our instincts are self-promotion and self-protection, then we'll use our influence to fulfill these needs. Conversely, if we are driven by service and dedication to a cause or a relationship, then we will model and encourage these values in others.
The authors then go deeper than just leading; they speak of being a leader and growing other leaders. One of the greatest challenges leaders today face is training and developing new leaders. Jesus wanted those around him to succeed. He had vision, values, and purpose, he stated them clearly, and did all he could to see they were carried out. In the book Lead Like Jesus we read how Jesus empowered and gave ownership to those around him, concerned more with their success than his own. It highlights that Jesus is the greatest leadership role model of all time, that He mandated His followers to be servant-leaders, and also that there is no “Plan B” with Jesus.
Blanchard & Hodges focus on four key areas and how they can direct you toward becoming the incredible leader you aim to be. (pg. 34) The four areas are:
1) Am I a leader? (pg. 4)
2) Am I willing to follow Jesus as my leadership role model? (pg. 11)
3) How do I lead like Jesus? (pg. 19)
The authors try to define who is a leader. They say “Leadership is a process of influence. Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behaviour, or development of people in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader.” (pg. 5) You might be a parent, a teacher, a nurse, a pastor, a coach, or an adult child helping her aging parents. There are differences between being a “life leader” (such as a parent) and an “organizational leader” (a manager in a company). The author defines leadership as influence in a positive or negative direction.
Blanchard & Hodges say leaders are defined by how they use their influence, they say. If our instincts are self-promotion and self-protection, then we'll use our influence to fulfill these needs. Conversely, if we are driven by service and dedication to a cause or a relationship, then we will model and encourage these values in others.
The authors then go deeper than just leading; they speak of being a leader and growing other leaders. One of the greatest challenges leaders today face is training and developing new leaders. Jesus wanted those around him to succeed. He had vision, values, and purpose, he stated them clearly, and did all he could to see they were carried out. In the book Lead Like Jesus we read how Jesus empowered and gave ownership to those around him, concerned more with their success than his own. It highlights that Jesus is the greatest leadership role model of all time, that He mandated His followers to be servant-leaders, and also that there is no “Plan B” with Jesus.
Blanchard & Hodges focus on four key areas and how they can direct you toward becoming the incredible leader you aim to be. (pg. 34) The four areas are:
Bibliography: - Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges