The Essential Engstrom: Proven Principles of Leadership [Paperback]

Ted W. Engstrom (Author), Timothy J. Beals (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2007

Ted W. Engstrom left an enduring legacy of leadership from his positions as president, CEO and board member to many of the most influential for-profit and not-for-profit companies in North America. Now the best on the business of leadership is available in one accessible anthology.

"The Essential Engstrom" is a compilation of lessons and stories that he penned throughout his years as a leader. Some of this timeless material has been written for decades, while some of it he wrote just before his death at age ninety. The wisdom and insight Engstrom shares in this volume will aid any leader in better understanding how to define leadership, provide strategies for effective planning, motivating, and communicating, address biblical models of leadership from the Old and New Testament, and cultivate the habits of successful people and processes management.

The Essential Engstrom focuses on issues of practical strategy and matters of character that shape and affect Christian leaders who serve in business or Christian ministry. Ideal for educators, managers, pastors, and other Christian leaders, Dr. Engstrom’s wisdom and personal example will speak to the generation that served with him and to younger leaders who know him by reputation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“As a 20th century giant of faith, Ted Engstrom cast a shadow that spanned the world, touching multitudes with spiritual life-and-health and influencing the evangelical movement with practical dynamics. His influence was, in ways, very much as Simon Peter’s, whose shadow was a God-ordained extension of His divine love and power. His writings are worth the while of us all, as new and successive generations of believers will profit from them through this volume.”

Jack W. Hayford
President, International Foursquare Churches
Chancellor, The King’s Seminary-Los Angeles
Founding Pastor, The Church On The Way


“For more than fifteen years, I had the privilege to meet with Ted Engstrom on a regular basis and ask him questions about life and ministry. Much of who I am today as a Christ-follower in leadership is because of his transparency, truth telling, and candor. I encourage you to use The Essential Engstrom as I will. Keep it front and center on your desk and when you need insight, wisdom, or strategy, open it and be reminded of this man’s great and insightful wisdom. May you be strengthened in your courage, committed to God-honoring excellence, protected by integrity, and inspired by visionary leadership. I know I will.”

Jon R. Wallace, President, Azusa Pacific University


“The best of leaders stand taller when standing on the shoulders of yesterday's leaders. The Essential Engstrom gives the leaders of today and tomorrow some very broad shoulders to stand on.”

Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals and author of Leadership That Works

About the Author

Ted W. Engstrom wrote over fifty-five books and spent over sixty years as president, CEO, and board member of some of the world’s biggest and best-run Christian organizations, including Zondervan, Youth for Christ, and World Vision.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Authentic and World Vision (November 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934068063
• ISBN-13: 978-1934068069
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #796,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Danger Checklist, November 17, 2008

By 

John W. Pearson "John Pearson Associates" (San Clemente, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Essential Engstrom: Proven Principles of Leadership (Paperback)

Ted Engstrom wrote more than 50 books, many on management and leadership. When you read this book, you'll have the essence of this evangelical giant's library on life. He entered heaven in 2006 at age 90, but his insights are not old. They are wise and they work. As president of World Vision, and many other notable organizations, he walked the leadership talk.

The Essential Engstrom, edited by Timothy J. Beals, delivers 40 short chapters in nine areas: Leadership Defined, Leadership and the Bible, Christian Leadership, Excellence in Leadership, Integrity in Leadership, Leaders as Managers, Leaders as Decision Makers, Generational Leadership and Leaders at Home.

Virtually every chapter is an outline for a "management moment" at your weekly staff meeting. Should the boss also be the staff pastor? Read Chapter 11, Manager or Minister? Need to bump up a culture of risk-taking? Read Chapter 15, "Mistakes" Are Important. Need a quick time management refresher, with a nod to Pareto's 80/20 Rule? Read Chapter 31, Murphy's Law for Managers.

The anecdotes, illustrations and one-liners are ample and memorable. Some organizations, Engstrom comments, often begin with a man, become a movement, develop into a machine, and eventually become a monument. That will preach! His "Danger Ahead" Checklist is remarkable (page 195).

THERE'S DANGER AHEAD IF YOU:

#1. Settle for the status quo.

#2. Eliminate creative tensions.

#3. Don't plan in depth.

#4. Stop listening.

#5. Depend on past successes.

#6. Depend on personal experience.

#7. Neglect the highest good.

#8. Forget unity.

#9. Lose the joy of service.

#10. Forget the bottom line.

Engstrom's list is a good reminder. Ignore it and you'll be in the "Crisis Bucket," one of the 20 management buckets in my book, Mastering The Management Buckets: 20 Critical Competencies for Leading Your Business or Non-profit. I quote Ted Engstrom often in my book, especially his 21 time blocks for workaholic managers. It's a simple but realistic approach to balancing work and life.