DYING TO LEAD [Hardcover]

Robert McKenna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 3, 2008

Praise for Dying to Lead "Every Christian who is in a position of leadership needs to read this book! Rob McKenna is a stellar researcher who has the unusual knack of being able to communicate his findings in ways that are not only understandable, but engaging and motivating. In my opinion, you run the risk of being dead in the water if you don't read Dying to Lead." -Les Parrott, Ph.D., Founder of RealRelationships.com and Author of Trading Places "The heart felt cry of every Christian leader I know is to somehow move their organization to a level of excellence on a scale that can only be measured in a kingdom scale and economy. Rob McKenna's work provides important language and thinking which advances leadership in new and important ways." -Steven G.W. Moore, Executive Director, The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Leaders are visionaries. Leaders are servants. Leaders create results. And says, Rob McKenna, leaders sacrifice. Far too often, sacrifice is missing from our thinking. This book - with its emphasis upon real-life vignettes, biblical insight and personal reflection - redirects us back to the center of true Christian leadership. -Alec Hill, President, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship "I'll say right now that I was deeply moved from reading Dying to Lead, and that I've never read anything quite like it. It is written from the heart, and is both challenging to managers and practical at the same time. Dying to Lead is an important book for managers." -Susan Arnold, Manager, Starbucks Coffee Company Dr. Robert McKenna is Chair of the Department of Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Seattle Pacific University and President of McKenna & Associates. His mission is building character, competence, and calling in today's emerging leaders. He lives in Kirkland, Washington with his wife Jackie and their sons, Aidan and Ryan. For more information got to www.dyingtolead.com

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Xulon Press (September 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606476858
• ISBN-13: 978-1606476857
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,455,298 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for leaders, April 6, 2010

By 

M. Cleek (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DYING TO LEAD (Paperback)

Dr. McKenna does a great job of writing and telling stories. I believe that he has what it takes to be a great leader and that if people pick up this book they will be happy with what it has to say.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard Questions about Leadership, December 13, 2009

By 

S. Baker-Johnson (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: DYING TO LEAD (Paperback)

If you read the word 'leadership' in the title and groaned, 'not another book on leadership,' reconsider. This is not your typical 'how to do leadership' book. McKenna, professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Seattle Pacific University, states his goal in writing the book: to challenge the leader (and here he includes business, church, community and parenting) to courageously answer the questions of why. He also states his intention to fail in certain areas, to fail to be another 'how to' book and to give the reader God's particular direction. Instead he challenges the reader to consider the areas in leadership in which we get in our own way, the internal things that cause us to lead on your own terms and agenda.

McKenna believes it takes courage to answer the question of why we lead. The honest answer may raise personal "insecurities that cause us to project something we are not." It is likely that the real answer will not be the first one that comes to mind. With successful leadership comes the possibility of having more to protect and therefore more to lose. It is this risk of distraction that can draw us away from our true calling. Dying to lead basically means daily considering the selfish aspects of who we are that need to die (or in spiritual terms, be laid at the cross) before we can lead authentically and honestly before God.

From the question of why do we lead, the author tackles the many questions of identity, perspective and action. Are outcomes the primary motivation for the leader? What does sacrificial leadership look like? Why does God choose leaders that we may not? What about control and choice? Can a leader be vulnerable? Can a reluctant leader be a leader? What competencies will never find there way into a help wanted ad? The book concludes with a list of twenty-three characteristics of sacrificial leadership for the reader and a peer to review together. For a relatively slim book, the material covered is broad. It will leave you thinking long after you have finished reading.

The organization of Dying to Lead is adaptable for solitary meditation or for group discussion. Each short chapter begins with a brief light hearted comment or dialogue about the focus of the chapter followed by a short Scripture passage and then text. Each ends with questions for reflection, ideas to put into practice and possible journaling questions that will take longer thought. This book is an excellent resource for pastors and pastoral teams, church boards, Christians in the marketplace and other small groups. If you want to receive the full benefit of the author's ideas, this is not a book to skim through or read in one sitting. If you want to be challenged and changed, take your time.

(The review was previously published in the Free Methodist Historical Society Newsletter Fall 2009.)

5.0 out of 5 stars Leadership at its best, November 17, 2008

By 

J. Brekke "Real Estate Developer" (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DYING TO LEAD (Paperback)

Excellent book that will challenge any leader who wants to be effective and relevant in the world today. The book challenged me to look at my motivations and equipped me to lead others. The shorter chapters kept my attention and didn't over work the issue. Don't pass this book up.