Incarnate Leadership: 5 Leadership Lessons from the Life of Jesus [Hardcover]

Bill Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 20, 2009

Bill Robinson helps Christian leaders understand how to provide effective leadership by highlighting five qualities that characterized the leadership style of Jesus. He presents convincing arguments that when leaders emulate these qualities, they will inspire and empower the people they have been called to lead. Reflection and discussion questions and assessment questions make this ideal for group use. Conversational in tone and seasoned with real-life stories from his own successes and failures as a leader, Robinson helps Christian leaders wrestle with four questions that emerge from John's introduction of Jesus, 'and the word became flesh and dwelt among us....' * Jesus dwelt with those he led, how can I be closer to those I lead? * Jesus disciples beheld him, how can I be more transparent with those I lead? * The glory of Jesus was a reflection of his father, am I seeking my own glory? * Jesus led with grace and truth, how can I lead with grace and truth? The Incarnate Leader is indispensable reading for anyone in a position of leadership -- whether in a church setting, corporation, school board, or home. The book is packaged as a short one-evening read, similar to other popular business books.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'This is the kind of book that could only be the fruit of long, honest, and self-critical experience. Bill Robinson looks at Jesus' style of leadership: that Jesus dwelt with those he led, that he was seen by (transparent to) those he led, that he reflected his Father's glory rather than hugged it to himself, that he spoke with both grace and truth. This is a truly Christian discernment of what might be wise action, gleaned always from within earshot of the cries of those in most need of help.' -- Iain Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary, Moderator of the Church of Scotland

About the Author

Bill Robinson is president of Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. He holds degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, Wheaton Graduate School and a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh. He also studied at Moody Bible Institute and Princeton Theological Seminary. His books include 'Leading People from the Middle.' He has distinguished himself as a teacher, speaker, and community leader.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (January 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310291135
• ISBN-13: 978-0310291138
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,284 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid Leadership Book, May 2, 2009

By 

W. Clay Knick (Winchester, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Incarnate Leadership: 5 Leadership Lessons from the Life of Jesus (Hardcover)

I read a lot of books (no, I don't review them all here on Amazon.com). One type of book that I am reluctant to read is a leadership book. Often they give me a headache telling me to be another kind of person from the kind God created me to be or giving me endless lists of the kinds of things I'm supposed to do if I am truly a leader. Rare is the leadership book that points me to the example of Christ and is, well, Christocentric.
Also rare is the kind of integrity one finds in a leadership book where you can tell the author lives what he or she is presenting.
These are the kinds of things one finds in this splendid book by Bill Robinson. It is winsome, easy to follow, but not shallow, centered in Christ, honest, and filled with wisdom. I'd read a chapter and it would stay with me a few days as I pondered it. I wish there were more books like this about leadership. I'm sure there are not many leadership books out there that are an exposition on John 1:14!
Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More than "just" a leadership book..., October 14, 2010

By 

Jeffrey Borden "Pastor" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Incarnate Leadership: 5 Leadership Lessons from the Life of Jesus (Hardcover)

Book Review: Incarnate Leadership - 5 Leadership Lessons from the Life of Jesus
By Bill Robinson -Zondervan

I have a lot of leadership books lining my library shelves. I've listened to a lot of leadership talks, sermons, and seminars. I don't think Incarnate Leadership fits into those categories or next to those other books on my shelves. I think the book is entirely mis-titled. It certainly pertains to quality characteristics you would hope to find in leaders, but I think even more, it illustrates the most basic model of what Christ followers everywhere and in every facet of life or culture should strive for.
The book is an easy read with each of the five leadership lessons providing great opportunity for self-examination with a section at the completion of every chapter featuring questions for reflection and discussion.

My personal favorite parts of the book were from chapter three, Bending the Light, a study in humility, and chapter four, Living in Grace and Truth. These do not diminish the totality of the book, but I found these two chapters very special in their ministry to me in this particular season of my life.

In summary, it is as I said earlier; this is not a leadership book (although we can learn much about leading from it). This book is about Christian character, something all followers of Jesus can learn and grow from. The style of writing from Bill Robinson is very conversational and practical. I felt like I was listening to a close friend or a favorite uncle egging me on and encouraging me to be all I could be. I come away from the book challenged and inspired; I think if you are looking for down to earth inspiration in your journey to become more like Jesus, Incarnate Leadership might be of interest to you.

I received this book free from Zondervan Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, May 8, 2009

By 

J. Miller (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Incarnate Leadership: 5 Leadership Lessons from the Life of Jesus (Hardcover)

This is a charming and humble book on leadership as drawn from a few verses in the first chapter of John. The biblical text, though, is simply a vehicle for the President of Whitworth College to present his vast personal experience on leadership. The result is wonderful. He emphasizes humility, openness, and a willingness to give credit to others. He talks about having the courage to tell the truth gracefully. It is a work about the character of good leaders.

None of what he says is strikingly novel, and his illustrations are anecdotal. But that is part of what is so great about the book. Here are the obvious things of leadership that leaders often fail to do. The result is not that you walk away thinking that you've read the most profound book of your life, though it is, in a simple way, profound. You walk away from it thinking you may have come close to a profound man, and you wish he were close at hand to mentor you through the challenging decisions of leadership. Well done, Bill Robinson...and well worth the read.