5SQ109 - Iliff Leadership

Clash of personalities or greed; something caused a split in the leadership of microsoft. Is there a way to avoid such a situation?

Management Consulting News interviews Marcus Buckingham on the ideas and defining characteristics of leadership.

I've highlighted some aspects to the interview I think are most relevant to defining leadership.

This is a twenty minute "lecture" on leadership from Benjamin Zander, the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic discussing the "possibilities of the impossible" regarding classical music appreciation and leading an orchestra.

This website lists various definitions of leadership. I thought it was interesting because some of the names (Drucker, Bennis) have been circulating through our posts.

(Amanda Udis-Kessler) Alban Institute theorist Gilbert Rendle has written a thought-provoking book on how congregational leaders (ministers and lay leaders) can facilitate change in one of those settings we all know must deal, inevitably and irrevocably, with change. The book covers the spiritual assumption of leaders, systems theory, congregational change as a spiritual journey, and other topics; each chapter ends with exercises for leaders. The book is full of interesting ideas and I recommend it highly.

Bought this book when I got my current mid-level college administrator job. I like Grove's definition of a (middle) manager: "individual contributors who gather and disseminate know-how and information."

Wheatley has an unusual approach to leadership that incorporates left and right brain thinking. I return again and again to this book to discover a new way to think about an existing issue.

This book is a thorough presentation of the leadership qualities that Jesus demonstrated throughout his ministry and how to apply these qualities in our lives today. The book contains three sections; "Strength of Self Mastery", "Strength of Action", and "Strength of Relationships". Each section has 25 - 30 short examples of Jesus wisdom and how it can be applied to today's world. It is written in straightforward understandable language and is a great tool for visionary leadership.

Sandy, thanks for the recommendation. I can get it through the library on audio book, so I will let you know how it sounds. --angie

It is a great book...I have used it as a bible study before, reading a few chapters (they're short) each week and then discussing the principles. You will enjoy it!

I searche my library for Christian Leadership. I got Happy Feet! Guess I should watch it. Anyone know how that fits?

"My definition of a leader . . . is a man who can persuade people to do what they don't want to do, or do what they're too lazy to do, and like it." - Harry S. Truman, 1884-1972, Thirty-third President of the United States, Miller, More Plan Speaking

I like it! And such a simple idea with such powerful results!

Not sure what Northouse would think. Some of these seem like management as he delineates that as distinct from leadership.. I think these all are a part of leadership, though.

This is a site with many quotes. The first one is: "To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!'" --Lao-tsu

I love that..."we did it ourselves!" What a great example of leading and encouraing others to be the best they can be without making it about the leader. A truly gracious leader will beam with pride from behind the scenes knowing that their job was done well and no "recognition" is needed.

This book takes John Maxwell's career in leadership development and condenses it into 21 irrefutable laws of leadership. These laws can be easily learned and immediately applied in your own life. John Maxwell believes that leadership is leadership and regardless of time, technology or culture the true principles of leadership are constant. The principles of leadership stand the test of time and are irrefutable.

The link you provided doesn't actually take you to the book but rather to John Maxwell's website. Try http://www.amazon.com/21-Irrefutable-Laws-Leadership-Follow/dp/0785274316

I purposely posted the website for John Maxwell, thought folks might be interested in learning more about the man and his ministry. Same for Laurie Beth Jones. They are both more than authors, also speakers and have their own ministeries.

Ferriss, Timothy. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich. New York: Crown Archetype. 2007. ISBN-10: 0307353133 ISBN-13: 978-0307353139 If you view church work as a career, rather than a calling, it is easy to see the move from working 40 hours a week as the Associate Pastor at a church to working 80 hours a week as the Senior Minister at a church as a "promotion". If you have spent your life attending and serving small churches, it is easy to see the role of Pastor as Chief Cook and Bottle Washer. Tim Ferriss' book was not written for those who serve God in a church setting, but there is so much to be gleaned from this book. If for no other reason, read this book because Tim Ferris gives you permission to be unreasonable and unambiguous, puts you on a Low-Information Diet, and teaches you the Art of Refusal. If nothing else, you can learn how to get a church secretary for $4.00/hour and get more work done. Some of this advice just won't work for those of us who serve God in the church, but so much of it will. Buy a highlighter. Buy some sticky notes. Buy the book.

Dudley, Carl S. Effective Small Churches in the 21st Century. Nashville: Abingdon Press. 2003. ISBN: 0687090903 ISBN-13: 9780687090907 In the Louisiana Conference of United Methodists, only 89 churches have Sunday morning worship attendance greater than 100. Of course, there are a few who have over 1,000 in worship each Sunday, but over 400 churches in the conference are small (very small) and this seems to be the same trend in every Conference and Jurisdiction. The truth is, most United Methodist pastors will never serve a large church; therefore, it is important to have a resource that is written specifically for small churches, rather than trying to apply "mega-church" answer to small church problems. Effective Small Churches is that resource. Using their congregational experiences as case studies, readers will examine, with Carl Dudley's help, how their unique qualities can be mobilized to encourage local leaders, strengthen commitments, organize resources, and focus their energies to experience to meet new challenges. The primary goal of the book is to lead ministers who have begun a new appointment through a series of specific exercises, questionnaires, and guided dialogue with church members to jump start their appointment. So many good ideas. The Cabinet should make every pastor go through the exercises and report on their findings to their District Superintendent during the first six months at their new church.

Within the church, there are those called to servant leadership. Their callings are evidenced by gifts and promise of usefulness. Greenleaf is well-known for coining this term "outside" the church.

I liked the diagram this website offered of leadership using the 3P's. Person, People, and Purpose. He who thinketh he leadeth and has no one following him is only taking a walk. -John Maxwell

I love this one....because it's simple. "Leadership is a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who choose to follow" {Kouzes & Posner 2002}

"Our Iceberg is Melting" by John Kotter, St. Martins Press 2005, uses the age old tool of a parable/story to demonstrate how a crisis becomes an opportunity for a group of penguins that are facing change. Both of my book choices forcus on animal behavior as a powerful expample of human behavior and how this directly connects to organizational issues.

The Servant Leader shows how to put "Jesus at the heart of The One Minute Manager". (Both books written by Ken Blanchard.) How is business and our faith compatible? This book talks about Christ as the ultimate leader (business leader as well) and presents guiding principles to follow as we bring our faith into our work.

Anthony Robinson offers us leadership strategies to benefit a church. "Functional strategies" to lead and information to develop as a leader, especially a spiritual leader. Robinson's work draws upon the expertise of other leaders as he develops "seven strategies for pastoral leadership".