LEAD LIKE JESUS: Lessons for Everyone from the Greatest Leadership Role Model

Authors: Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges; published by Fine Communications, New York, NY; 236 pages; Price: $7.98 at Barnes & Noble -Brookfield, WI

This is a weighty book that should be digested over a period of time. If applied, the illustrated concepts by the authors could change the way leaders 
mark their lives, work, and relationships. 
 

In beginning, authors Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges encourage readers to ask themselves three key questions: Am I a leader? Am I willing to pattern Jesus as my leadership role model? How can I lead like Jesus?
 

It explains relationships should be best based on trust and respect which maintain integrity and excellence in services and programs. In practice of responsible stewardship the authors say, leaders are defined by how they use their influence. Further, if our instincts are self-promotion and self-protection, then we'll use our influence to fulfill those needs. (Self-interest, they believe, is the most difficult obstacle we face in leading like Jesus). Conversely, if we are driven by dedication and service to good causes or relationships, then we will model and encourage these values in others. They look at four areas, - domains of leading like Jesus --- "head, heart, hands and habits" --- and carefully study each. 
 

It is timely these days to consider what the authors mean by "leader." They write, "Anytime you seek to influence the thinking, behavior or development of people toward accomplishing a goal in their personal or professional lives, you are taking on the role of a leader." In other words, to benefit from this book we need not have to be in business. We could be a minister, a parent, a nurse, a teacher, a coach, or a business manager. Blanchard and Hodges define differences between being a 'life leader' (such as a parent) and an organizational leader (a manager in a company).

This book is very descriptive when the authors get practical rather than theoretical and show Jesus welcomed disagreement and wasn't afraid of it. (They ask do we welcome feedback when we find someone who will tell us the truth!) Can we address our own credibility as an individual before trying to improve things at an organizational level? - (Is our security based on what others think?) For your job have you planned for a successor? (Could that seem threatening?) There's an excellent section on identifying pride and fear, and how it affects our ability to lead. Indeed, the examples of how pride and fear influence leadership are among the best parts of the book.

Authors Blanchard and Hodges also list "rank-ordered values" for leading like Jesus

• Honor God in everything you do.
• Build relationships based on trust and respect.
• Maintain integrity and excellence in programs and services.
• Practice responsible stewardship.

Included with other helpful content is a practical chart showing the four meaningful learning stages (novice, apprentice, journeyman, and master/teacher) and the respective obstacles to success. Here is specific help; rather than just telling readers to get into a focus group, the authors offer a specific model of what this would look like. Chapter end summaries, specific scripture references along with personal and fictional examples flesh out the concepts. Lead Like Jesus relates suggestions to reflect on various key points which assist readers in fully engaging and applying the material.