5SQ109 - Iliff Leadership

You got to sell it and you have to get it going! Not just stand by and watch it work...

1. a person who manages or has a talent for managing. So, you don't have to do it, as long as you know how to do it!

2. a guiding or directing head, There are other definitions, but this is the one I relate to

For those that want to lead without having to stand up and shout. Stephen Covey offers 7 ways that one should look at their knowledge, skills, and desires and the most effective way to utilize/serve them.

To Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly, an Agenda for Ministers by Walter Brueggemann, Sharon Parks, and Thomas H. Groome (Pub 1986).  Three theologians meditating how to deal with today's justice issues and how to maintain love and humility as leaders doing so.  A biblical consideration of leadership.  This book calls for a deep personal consideration of who God is for each of us before we set out to teach others and lead people in paths of trust.

Credo by William Sloan Coffin, a collection of thoughts over topics ranging from faith and hope to war and the end of life.  He urges ministers to be leaders-to "be as pastoral as possible but never surrender ethical initiative" (153).  He argues leadership doesn't mean being friends with everyone or that everyone will like you-"Jesus knew that 'love your enemies' didn't mean 'don't make any'" (152).  He says good leaders take risks, evaluate potential outcomes and then move forward-"If you choose, you're sometimes wrong; but if you never choose, you're always wrong" (72).

A definition from my favorite dictionary site.

Definition of leadership and a whole lot more... * principles of leadership * keys to leadership * theories

Though the examples are specifically geared towards youth ministry, Mark Yaconelli lays out a model for a "business meeting" in church leadership that focuses on contemplative prayer and seeking God's direction rather than following the typical business model of church leadership.

I've used an adaptation of this model and found it to be helpful in focusing the "business meetings" as well as bringing the leadership team together in spiritual practice and vision.

Mike Krzyzewksi is a consistent winner. "Coach K" has led (as of the end of the season 2010) the Duke men's basketball team to four national championships, ten Final Fours, and a host of other achievements. He has also led the U.S. Men's Olympic team to a gold medal. Though Leading with the Heart follows Coach K's leadership through a basketball season, it focuses on leadership principles that have been the hallmark of his "compassionate, focused, highly flexible leadership" and on the five fundamental qualities that Coach K has used to form consistently successful teams on and off the court.

This is an example of how to do part one of the Book Recommendation and Review assignment.  In this "description" space, I would be including my impressions of this book, including who I think might find it useful.  Remember that we're aiming for 25 word minimum and 100 word maximum.  This note is 55 words.

I just wanted to demonstrate the bookmarking features of Diigo. You'll see that I tagged the page ("definitions"), highlighted a section that I found useful ("The following sections...", which comes right from the Wikipedia page), and have added my own note (what you're reading right now).