5 Leadership Books for Every Type of Leader in 2015

1. For the Busy Leader: When I Relax I Feel Guilty by Tim Hansel

This is an overlooked book written in the 70s, but became my rhythm of life for a while. I am use to constantly "doing." I only feel good about myself when I am working constantly, meeting others for coffee, or finding a new project. At some point along this path, I fall apart. I try to relax but feel anxious, like people will perceive me as some horribly lazy sloth. This book brings to light the myths leaders feel about relaxation in our fast-paced world and encourages us to reorient our daily rhythms. My favorite part is that the author includes a list of ways to relax for a month, a weekend, a day, or a minute.

Notable quote: "Therefore, one of the first principles we must deal with is to not be vague with our lives and God's time but to 'freely decide to create the mood of the day, rather than let the circumstances and conditions of the day rule my life. With my spirit (the breath of God in me) I will transform the raw matter of my life and make it beautiful. This is my purpose. This is my hope. This is an adventure like no other.'" (p. 69). 

2. For the Consulting Leader: Getting Naked by Patrick Lencioni

One of Lencioni's brilliant business fables that tells the story of a company leader that is asked to go investigate how the competition has been successful. He quickly learns that his consulting model could learn a few things from his competitors. The story is captivating as well as the principles (I read the book in one sitting, it was that great). Getting Naked is about stripping down to be your true self with your clients for the end result of progress that results from unshakeable trust.

Notable quote: "Naked service providers don't shy away from uncomfortable situations; they step right into the middle of them...Clients come to see them as having courage and integrity-- qualities that are disarming, attractive, and often rare. And so "dangerous" situations become opportunities for adding value and building trust." (p. 204-5). 

3. For the Contemplative Leader: Pursuing God's Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton

I struggle to connect well with God through sitting and meditating, but I know that there are many leaders that do. Why I like this book is because I believe teams should be led with spiritual fervor. Even if you aren't a contemplative, that doesn't give you the excuse to not guide and direct your organization towards God's will. This book provides personal and team reflections to help you better understand how to create a leadership culture that is prayerful, discerning, and reliant on God.

Notable quote: "The good news is that a leadership group committed to spiritual transformation will automatically begin to change the culture of their community...Simply by being in the flow of the community, individuals in the community will experience life change that increases their capacity to discern and do the will of God together." (p. 82-4).

4. For the Organizational Leader: The Trellis and The Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne

The audience for this book is ministry leaders, but it is helpful for anyone that works with people (which is everyone). Leaders often build up the life of their church around programs (the Trellis), and forget to build up the people (the Vine). The Trellis and the Vine argues that community grows when we focus on the people, instead of programs. Thus, leaders should focus on training their people to help lead and disciple others. Be bold to rethink the way your organization is programmed.

Notable quote: "The point of using this sort of tool is not to turn Christian ministry into a set of lists but to help us focus on people-- because ministry is about people, not programs. IF we never think about people individually and work out where they are up to, and who and in what area they need to grow, how can we minister in anything other than a haphazard, scattergun way?" (p. 88).  

5. For the Service-Oriented Leader: The Externally Focused Quest by Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw

The Eternally Focused Quest asks church leaders, “How can you be the best church FOR your community." The authors use a fantastic analogy of the Celtic Knot in comparison to the health of the Christian life.  The three points on the knot are: believe, belong, and bless. (p. 57). The church focuses heavily on the first two but, forget to embrace the gift of blessing others. The authors spend a great deal focusing on how the church can become a tangible blessing to meet the needs of their specific communities.

Notable quote: "In response to the observableness brokenness of the world, we often hear people today say, 'It is what it is.' But we believe there is more. As Christ followers, we should find ourselves saying, 'It is what it is, but it's not as it's supposed to be, can be, and some day will be.'" (p. 74). 

Happy Reading!