Tempered Resilience

 

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Every Christian leader should read this book and contemplate the cost of discipleship that calls people to change. If you want change in your church or organization look to see what you need to look for in leaders. I can't help but say if you want to remain the same to your own detriment you want to read this so you know who not to ask to be a leader.

Being a change leader is not for the weak and being tempered means being hammered, taking the heat, finding the place to cool and be willing to reenter the fire.

Change is coming in so many places and if you are not prepared for the cost don't start the journey. But, in the end you also have to know when to walk away.

While this is from a Christian perspective every leader could learn about the cost of leadership.

Never Enough; A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning

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Every leader or anyone interested in leadership should read this and learn. 

Having a career as a Navy SEAL, working in the White House during that time, the challenges of wartime service in some of the most dangerous places, provides the background for excellent leadership development. 

Successful leadership in a changing world mean that you can never be satisfied with who you are or what you know. It is never enough! There is always room for improvement or looking for a new or better way to accomplish a task. 

Great leadership is not just about being a great leader but developing others and their skill whether you are their superior or subordinate. The key is how you treat people, encouraging them to be better while holding them accountable for their actions and the impact it has on others. Working for the greater good of the community is the key. 

Using simple outlines of methods with life stories as illustrations there is a good balance to learn from someone who has been a successful leader in the military, business and government. 

There is the challenge to be the best while putting the wellbeing of others before yourself.   That helps drive others to be the best they can be as well. 

This is not only a great read for leaders but for those that feel that they want to be better at life. After all we are all called to be a leader, often without a title that goes with it. That lesson comes through clear here as well. 

I received an advance copy of this from the publisher for review. 

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A Center in the Cyclone

Twenty-first Century Self-Care

Every pastor should read this book! Any church leader that wants to understand the challenges your pastor faces will likely be find this eye opening. 

The way of conducting ministry has changed dramatically in the last half century and many pastors are struggling with how to be effective in the current environment. Part of this is the pace of change but many of the challenges are more common than most pastors realize. 

From the rapidly changing world of communications, stress and relationships to the pastors own spiritual, emotional and physical health there is a lot of topics covered in a relatively book, 173 pages. 

Clergy health today in the midst of the many challenges facing the church is critical to the care of congregations. Pastors can only care for those in their care to the level they care for themselves. That is a much greater challenge than most realize.

 

The Upswing

How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again

Robert D. Putnam, Shaylyn Romney Garrett

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Excellent relatively brief look at 125 years of history in the United States looking at changes in society and how they are interwoven to create change. Clearly show that in many ways the first half of the 20th century was a time of building and becoming more together minded for the good of the broader community. It was surprising to think about how we shifted gears in the 1960s and the very things that should have brought us closer in many ways have created even greater divides. Having lived through and grown up with many of the things they describe here it is powerful to see it all pulled together and the impact it has had on our individual lives as well as the broader community. The best part is starting to get a feel for how we can create change for the greater good moving forward. Especially, if we are willing to learn from history and what we can do to have a greater impact on the future legacy we will leave for those that come after us. Well worth the read for anyone that wants to better understand our political, religious, economic and community environments. There are about 100 endnotes at the back of the book if you are interested in further study or documentation.