Customer Reviews

The Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinary Relationships Develop Extraordinary Character and Influence

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have rarely been forced to look at myself as carfully as I did when reading this book. It examines fundamental issues regarding why people follow leaders, and what can happen to those leaders in the process. Above all, it differentiates between leaders who rely on their natural abilities versus those who take time to examine issues of character development. This book is on target in demonstating why some leaders end up so badly as opposed to those who grasp the character issues and deal with them. It gives hope to anyone who has stumbled on the path of good leadership as it points the way to dealing with key character issues. I believe this book is "must" reading for aspiring and experienced leaders alike, and especially recommend it to anyone struggling with their failures in leadership.

This is a significant book, mainly on account of one inspiring concept - creating an environment of grace.

The main problems I had with the book stemmed from the concept of the leadership ladder or ascent, with sequential steps. The problem with that metaphor lies in traditional views of leadership. Ascent up a leadership ladder reflects the mental images we have - "rising to the top", "leading from above". It would be radical to envisage leadership from the margins - that is from a place of vulnerability, or from the center - a "lowly" position among the people.

To be a leader does not necessarily mean to be "at the top", the best, the most gifted, the most intelligent, the strongest or the fastest (see e.g. the foot of page 79 "[people] watched his rapid climb to the top with awe"). This image is inherent in the ladder metaphor.

A cyclical or circular model would be more helpful. A leader must cycle through the character and capacity dimensions of leadership development. The issues are to be re-visited continually, rather than sequentially. The cycle involves a consistent relationship with God, and awareness of and dependence on a community of grace (chapter 3, also see page 71).

The "community of grace" concept is excellent, but we have to be careful what we mean by it. It is not merely an being gracious towards each other. Currently, grace is tending to be confused with "graciousness". Of course "graciousness" should be a derivative of grace. But the context of grace must be one in which all participants live by applying the Gospel of grace in their lives, in their attitudes, actions and words.

The weakness of Chapter 7 is that "truth" is only dealt with in terms of "truth" learned from others. Where is the role of God, His Word and the Holy Spirit? See, for example, the Johari diagram on page 99 which lacks an interaction between God (and His Word), others and self.

This may be addressed by making the right hand and bottom axes refer to "Known to God" (diametrically opposite "Known to others"), with the vertical axis finishing at "Revealed to Self" (beside "Unknown to Self), and the horizontal axis pointing to "Revealed to Others" (beside "Unknown to Others).

When the authors deal with the fourth rung (ch 8), the essentiality of a submissive spirit in all areas of life is emphasized - humility, submission and obedience include paying the cost - submission to sacrifice. This must be a continuous process of character development, not merely a sequence of steps.

According to the authors, there are two starting points for regaining that perspective. They picture a "fork in the road" where one embraces and learns from failures, and thus chooses recovery, or else by default takes the path to failure. If they took the cyclical model, this would be entail re-entering the circle at the specific point of character or capacity weakness.

Theladder metaphor struck me as too static and mechanical rather than organic and dynamic, especially when dealing with the fifth rung, "destiny". This conveys an air of inevitability. The idea is of increasing "convergence" - the sharpening and focussing of best skills to an ultimate destiny in leadership. The writers did not pay enough attention to the dynamics of personal development through a growing relationship with God, in a frequently changing context under diverse influences and adverse pressures. None of us knows how long we have to live, or with what quality of life, or in what contexts, or with what unforeseen opportunities.

I accept the basic concepts for capacity and character development, but clarify grace and truth, and put them into a cyclical model, and you would have a better, more Biblically accurate book on leadership development.

In this book, Bill, Bruce, and Ken remind us one more time of the high value we need to place on character in the personhood of our leaders. The 21st century will depend on people of genuine and authentic vision, values, and significance. The 21st century will depend on the ability of people to develop capacities and to soar with their strengths.

In the 21st century, leadership cannot be effective with people who are unbalanced either in character or capacity. In spite of our capcities, however, it is character that builds a lasting positive influence or an enduring legacy.

This book is clearly based on spiritual principles, and has many applications to congregations. Congregational leaders must have capabilites and capacities. It is just that capacities without character will be empty and dishonest. Character without capacities boost morale, but may not help congregations fulfill their mission.

Read this book because these guys have something to say and are going to be around for a long while!

Finally, someone has actually captured fresh truth on leadership and leading! This book has the potential of revolutionalizing team cultures in an incredible variety of settings! If you a leader and are experiencing isolation, resentment, lack of fulfilment, lack of other's understanding your vision, or you feel like the environment you lead is mistrusting or divided, please get this book. It will renew your hope and give you practical ways to help see your culture changed in profound ways. The authors join the hands of capacity and character in ground breaking ways. This a profound book! I hope it gets great exposure to business, educational and religious settings and wherever teams of leaders are attempting to create an atmosphere of health, life and significance for those they're attempting to lead. This is not utopian drivel, but a practical, transferable way of life. Wow, to think of business leaders, church leaders and families intent on creating "environments of grace" that increase mission, health, joy and productivity! It is about time. Thank you Thrall, McNicol and McElrath. Free up some time. I think you may be used significantly to change the culture of leadership in our generation.

This book speaks clearly to the arena of envirnoments and how they significantly affect those in them. It does a great job articulating the areas and relationships that create leaders of character. It was worth every minute in reading.

This best-seller redefined what it means to climb to the top of the ladder. The authors forcefully argue against the traditional leadership ladder and, in its place, present a compelling and counterintuitive character-based ladder developed in the context of relationships of respect and trust.

Love this book - I have been A Christian in leadership for a long time. This book is the best one I have read about leadership. It deals with the true issues that can hinder leaders, and also the true ones that can make great leaders. I learned so much and taught it to others. I went through the book with a group of women leaders in my community - they loved it too.

The subtitle of this excellent book is a bit misleading. While it does describe how our ordinary relationships impact our growth as leaders (of families, of companies, of communities, etc.), mainly it provides guidelines for leaders stalled on the "ladders to success" to help themselves redefine success in ways that "help others while nourishing [their] heart[s] and soul[s]". I recommend this book to everyone who leads any person or group of persons--whether at home, at school, at work, or elsewhere. All leaders can benefit by reading this book.

Another review by:
Michael Patrick King, author of Confessions of a Rock 'n' Roll Wannabe: The Verse and Prose of Michael Patrick King: Volume One

I bought this book for school and it was selling for a good price and came in good time. enjoyed the service thanks for the book pleasure doing buisness with you.

While watching the writer work on the book,as well as when reading it myself, I have witnessed the incredible truths covered by this book. A very highly stressed over book, this one IS GOOD! I rate it extremely high(five out of five stars) and congratulate the writer on his excellent work with his story telling and/or retelling and wonderful explanation of the character of leadership and the many ladders of life.