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The Essential Engstrom: Proven Principles of Leadership

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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.