The Bible on Leadership: From Moses to Matthew -- Management Lessons for Contemporary Leaders [Hardcover]

Lorin Woolfe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2002

"Millions have been inspired by the Bible's spiritual lessons. Now, Lorin Woolfe provides a unique way to view the Bible ...for leadership lessons that can be applied to our modern business world. Consider David's courage and innovation in slaying Goliath with just a stone and a sling; Moses' outstanding "succession planning" in picking Joshua; Joseph and the political skills that brought him to the seat of power; and of course, Jesus' compassion, communication skills, and vision that launched Christianity (a long-term success by any measure). These are leaders among leaders. Their achievements -- and their inspired methods of achievement -- offer a wholly different perspective on business leadership. For the dozens of Biblical stories presented, the book provides: * A concise retelling of each story * One (or more) leadership lessons suggested by each story * Examples of contemporary business leaders who exhibit some of the inspired traits of these ancient leaders, including: Fred Smith of FedEx, Howard Shultz of Starbucks, Tom Chappell of Tom's of Maine (a "toothpaste with a mission"), Roy Vagelos of Merck, and many more. The chapters cover these universal topics: Courage * Purpose * Communication * Honesty and Integrity * Power and Influence * Performance Management * Team Building * Humility * Compassion * Justice * Encouragement and Consequences * Wisdom * Creating the Future Each topic concludes with a list of key points to keep in mind as readers continue on their own leadership journeys."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Bible on Leadership" provides keen insights into management and stewardship from a timeless resource. -- Rabbi David Baron

"Woolfe provides a unique way to view the Bible- a leadership tool to be applied to the modern corporate world". -- Christian Retailing

"Woolfe provides a unique way to view the Bible-a leadership tool to be applied to the modern corporate world". -- Christian Reading

Lorin Woolfe boldly brings to life a key message: The Bible is the greatest leadership book for today's business leader. -- Larry S. Julian, Author of God is My CEO: Following God's Principles in a Bottom-Line World

Lorin Woolfe has built a sound and sturdy bridge between modern day business challenges and Biblical lessons. -- Laurie Beth Jones, Author of Jesus, CEO; The Path; and Jesus, Inc.

Rich in revelations and immediate applications.. a book to enlighten and inspire anyone called to lead-regardless of their personal faith -- HIGH HOLIDAYS, 2002 edition

This is a surprising and thought-provoking book. To find a reason to lead and succeed, start with this book. -- BookPage July 2002

Review

Christian Retailing: "Woolfe provides a unique way to view the Bible -- a leadership tool to be applied to the modern corporate world. Rich in business insight, readers will enjoy the leadership lessons gleaned by biblical and modern day readers."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1st edition (June 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814406823
• ISBN-13: 978-0814406823
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Well Done, May 10, 2003

By 

Roger E. Herman (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bible on Leadership: From Moses to Matthew -- Management Lessons for Contemporary Leaders (Hardcover)

I have titled my review "Surprisingly Well Done" because I frankly didn't expect the quality of reading I enjoyed in this book. I'll admit to being a bit jaundiced by one book after another comparing biblical characters and ancient historical figures like Attila the Hun to today's situations and leaders. But, if AMACOM, the publishing division of the American Management Association, is presenting this book, maybe there is some substance in these pages after all.

I opened the book with apprehension, half-expecting a Bible-thumping worship of religious heroes. Surprise! I was captivated right away by the almost conversational tone of the writing that pulled me in. The messages are much more "real," than pushy. The preachiness I feared did not materialize. Instead, lessons were shared on the fundamentals of leadership, with examples from Biblical characters and modern-day corporate and political leaders.

Woolfe is obviously quite conversant with the Bible, its stories, and its lessons. I am not, so I was frankly concerned that I wouldn't have the knowledge to relate to the book's teachings and message. I found that Woolfe described enough about each character and story that I understood. The people cited-Biblical and modern, are used as vehicles for Woolfe to make his points about ten attributes of leaders: honesty and integrity, purpose, kindness and compassion, humility, communication, performance management, team development, courage, justice and fairness, and leadership development.

As you read this book, expect to pause to reflect frequently. It will be a comfortable experience, rather than an unsettling challenge to your morals. Each chapter concludes with Biblical lessons on the theme of the chapter-not religious, Biblical. It's sort of a comparison of management literature from two different eras and not at all intimidating. A good set of reference notes and an index add value to the book.

Commentary: Understandably, this book addresses Judeo-Christian culture-both in its themes and it's content and treatment. It would be interesting to see a set of these books, with similar comparisons to perceived qualities of leaders and the religious literature of the culture that supports the written heritage.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biblical & Business Leadership, June 7, 2006

By 

Matthew Dodd (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bible on Leadership: From Moses to Matthew -- Management Lessons for Contemporary Leaders (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a well-written, easy-to-read, "non-bible-thumping" biblical perspective on leadership that can be applied to today's modern business environment, you have found it.

Each of the ten chapters of this extensively-researched book focused on a different commonly-recognized leadership trait (honesty and integrity, purpose, kindness and compassion, humility, communication, performance management, team development, courage, justice and fairness, leadership development). Within each chapter, inter-related sub-chapters featured many leadership-related vignettes about biblical icons (Jesus, Moses, David, Solomon, etc.) and modern business leaders (Jack Welch (General Electric), Herb Kelleher (Southwest Airlines), Jack Stack (Springfield Remanufacturing), Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield (Ben & Jerry's), etc.). The final page of each chapter was a summary listing of the biblical leadership lessons highlighted throughout the chapter.

I am not as great a student of the Bible as the author, and I believe my relative ignorance limited my appreciation of his impressive biblical knowledge and experience. I would have preferred a less ambitious approach with less diverse leadership material and more time spent setting up and presenting the Bible's 'case studies.' Still, the book provided many excellent leadership lessons from the Bible and the current business world that were informative and relevant to leaders at all levels.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KING DAVID IN THE BOARDROOM, October 18, 2005

By 

Meg F. Schneider - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bible on Leadership: From Moses to Matthew -- Management Lessons for Contemporary Leaders (Hardcover)

Lorin Woolfe does a masterful job of exploring the bible for themes that should have relevance for both today's leaders and those aspiring to climb the proverbial ladder of success. Concentrating on everything from integrity, to team building to exhibiting fairness he explores the old and new testaments for shining examples of truely courageous leadership and draws parallels to modern day figures. In doing so he lends deeper meaning to such issues as finding "purpose", "effective communication" and "humility" in the workplace. It is an inspiring read for anyone yearning to travel his or her path with wisdom and fortitude.