Executive Values [Hardcover]

Kurt Senske (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

Executive Values offers ideas and tools for applying Christian values to business and organizational leadership in a world in which values can be less important than impressive results and a positive bottom line. Kurt Senske brings a fresh, new voice to the subject of good business as he shares lessons learned as an attorney, political consultant, and president and CEO to encourage leaders to put the golden rule of leadership at the heart of their management style.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Features:

--provides Christian-based approaches to business leadership and practice

--draws on research and professional experience

--includes examples, both positive and negative, from many industries and types of organizations

From the Inside Flap

What does it really take to add lasting value to your organization today?

In "Executive Values," Kurt Senske demonstrates how Christian values support long term organizational success. This original and practical guide provides Christian leaders with a game plan for Christ-centered leadership that stresses the development of a healthy organizational culture, values-based strategic planning, mentoring, and balancing professional and personal lives.

Drawing on extensive research, the examples of numerous Christian leaders, and his own experience as a CEO, Senske creates a path-breaking model that brings together two organizational necessities that are not often mentioned in the same breath: bottom-line results and Christian values. With illuminating examples from high- and low-profile successes and failures, Senske provides an in-depth look at how applying (or not applying) values such as the golden rule can make or break an organization.

Executive Values is a must for leaders who want to add lasting value to organizations, employees, customers, shareholders, and constituents, and to society at large. Now, perhaps more than ever, Christian values in leadership practices can help navigate the post-September 11, post-Enron marketplace.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806645547
• ISBN-13: 978-0806645544
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,217,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Kurt Senske is the Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran
Social Services of the South and the Chair of the Board of
Directors of the Fortune 500 financial services organization
Thrivent Financial. His new book, The Calling: Live a Life
of Significance (Concordia Publishing House, November
2010, 978-0-7586-1666-1) presents a "Christ-help" solution
for a fulfilling life that encourages the selfless act of
focusing outwardly on service to others.

Dr. Senske has a bachelor's degree in business
administration from Valparaiso University in Indiana, a law
degree from the University of Illinois, a master's degree in
international relations from Schiller International University
in Paris, France, and a Ph.D. in government from the
University of Texas at Austin.

He practiced law in Chicago with several law firms and
served as assistant to the president at Concordia University
in Austin. In addition, he has worked as a senior staff
member and consultant for candidates and government
leaders at local, state and national levels in both the Republican and Democratic parties. During his tenure as CEO of Lutheran Social Services, the agency has more than tripled its size.

In The Calling, Dr. Senske offers a fresh perspective on living a fuller, happier life. Redefining the concept of "success," Dr. Senske provides an eight-step roadmap with exercises designed to help discover the
lives we are called to lead, integrating biblical wisdom with secular strategies.

Dr. Senske is also author of the books Executive Values: A Christian Approach to Organizational Leadership and Personal Values: God's Game Plan for Life. In Executive Values, he shares the spiritual and organizational
beliefs that helps him helm a $90 million organization and links religious values with organizational success. His second book, Personal Values, recognizes the degradation of values at home and offers a
biblically inspired framework for maintaining balance between the various aspects of our hectic personal and professional lives.

Dr. Senske currently resides in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Laurie, and daughter, Sydney. A gifted public speaker, he has been a regular commentator on television and radio as well as a guest columnist for newspapers and magazines. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Lutheran Services in America, which has more than 300 member organizations and a combined budget of over $8 billion. For more information, visit www.kurtsenske.com.

To schedule an interview with Senske, or to receive a review copy of The Calling,please contact Amy Currie at [phone] ext. 211 or [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Executive Values Applicable to All Leaders, April 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Executive Values (Hardcover)

"Executive Values" clearly presents the pressures and seemingly conflicting responsibilities experienced by those in positions of management and leadership. A Christian approach to solving these dilemmas is presented in logical and humane ways. Kurt Senske gives much evidence that the "bottom line" is not the highest priority. Not only will CEOs and other executives be interested in this recommended application of the Golden Rule, but I also urge the church professionals - pastors, school administrators, youth leaders - to give it serious attention.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Executive Values, June 4, 2003

By 

John W. Long (El Paso, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Executive Values (Hardcover)

Dr. Senske has outlined very practical applications for leaders of any type of organization. He outlines what it takes to be an ethical and effective leader. He explains how to appropriately respond to challenges and dilemmas that await leaders at every turn. Having served on the board of directors of Lutheran Social Services of the South with Dr. Senske as CEO, I have witnessed first hand the effectiveness of what he outlines in the book. A must read for all leaders!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ethics in the Market Place, April 4, 2003

By 

Melvin G. Swoyer (Pflugerville, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Executive Values (Hardcover)

Kurt Senske, CEO of a faith-based social service agency,
has written a management book on ethical principles in the
everyday market place. He has challenged the business world
to look at the Golden Rule -- "Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you" (Luke 6:31) -- and apply it to developing your vision, mentoring your staff, and obtaining
your bottom line. An attorney, a creative administrator, and
a Christian leader, Dr. Kurt Senske is a fresh breath of air
in the midst of scandals and unethical business practices in
our world. The book is very readable, has good outlines,
and causes one to want to "be a better person" both professionally and personally. He has accomplished what he
set out to do -- establish ethical principles in a business
world.

The Rev. Melvin G. Swoyer, Board Certified Chaplain