I find myself with mixed feelings about this book.
It was inspiring, and I found it challenged me to be more intentional about how I lead, and more passionate about why I am leading.
There were many points where I found it clarified my fuzzy thinking and leadership practices.
I needed to be reminded that “Language Matters” and that “Vision Leaks”.
The advice to take “Brain Breaks” and to monitor “Speed versus Soul” is a necessary corrective for me.
So many more great nuggets, I will return to them often.
The format is helpful, with short chapters that can be read on their own, or used in leadership training settings.
Where I struggle is with some of the leadership principles when applied to the good news community of Jesus-followers.
Like “Hire Tens” and “Don’t Screw Up”, or “Give Me an A, B or C”, or “Develop a Mole System”, etc.
Its not that there isn’t truth contained within these axioms, its just that they also contain dangers and misunderstandings.
Maybe its the language that unsettles me, and I wonder whether there is a more helpful way of communicating these ideas.
A danger I sense in this is one that results from our sinful human nature.
We are by nature inclined to rely on our own smarts and abilities.
We are inclined by nature to focus on our strategies and techniques.
These inclinations make us highly susceptible to relying more on our leadership techniques and savvy than on God’s wisdom and leading.
I wonder, did everything Jesus do make good leadership sense?
Was Jesus wise in selecting Judas as his money-man, or in selecting a zealot as his follower?
I am not convinced that Jesus “hired tens” (i.e. went after the brightest, most accomplished, most effective leaders He could find).
In fact, we are told that His way is to look for people that others would not choose (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-30).
This doesn’t mean the people Jesus seeks are useless, ungifted, potential-less people.
But He does take people where they are, and then develops their potential from there.
I think Hybels realizes this, and I suspect he is overstating his case to make a point.
That point is, don’t just settle for any warm body… point made.
But the alternative point is, don’t disqualify people based on human qualifications, look for their God-potential as well.
And maybe, just maybe God wants us to work with someone who does not qualify, to grow them up, or to shame the wise!
This is where prayer becomes an essential piece in selecting leaders.
I would recommend this book with a gentle reminder to read it carefully, prayerfully, gleaning the leadership truths that are contained in them.
At the same time, be cautious about going too far in applying them.
Pray through these thoughts, name the dangers that they can lead to, and find the path that accomplishes the good in them, while avoiding the dangers in them.
Did anyone else have some thoughts about this book?