Book #6 - Practicing Greatness

Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders, Reggie McNeal (Jossey-Bass, 2006).

In my continued steep learning curve in leadership I'm trying to read books that will help me. Reggie is a great synthesizer of material and so I didn't find a lot that was new here, but I found it helpful in its focus.  The seven disciplines are:

1. Self-Awareness: it is so important that leaders know their strengths, weaknesses, what they bring with them from the family of origin, their touchy subjects, etc. I agree that this is crucial. I want to believe that I am pretty self-aware, but doesn't everybody sort of think they are? Isn't self-deceit a problem for everybody?

2. Self-Management: it is critical that leaders manage their emotions, expectations, health, time, and money. I'm learning...

3. Self-Development: leaders are always learning. Reggie always emphasizes working in your areas of strengths rather than putting too much emphasis on your weaknesses. I think that is true, but I find that hard to do in pastoring because you are forced to wear so many hats.

4. Mission: again with the picture on the top of the puzzle box.

5. Decision Making: leaders ask the right questions, get enough of the right kind of information, consider timing, involve the right people, operate with right motives, understand intended outcomes, and debrief decisions after they are made. Good advice.

6. Belonging: every great leader needs mentors, partners and friends. Amen.

7. Aloneness: great leaders needs wilderness experiences, sabbaths, and prayer moments with God. I could live without the wilderness, but I know its necessary.

Helpful stuff.