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Incarnate Leadership: 5 Leadership Lessons from the Life of Jesus

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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.

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."

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.

A very "accessible person" as well as author, Bill turns much of the "high boundary - no friends among colleagues" mantra on its head with insights from a great leader - Jesus. In easily digestible chapters, the reader grasps the author's main premise and applies it to him/herself in leadership positions. I suggest it as a good group study book for leader-pastor types in covenant groups.

I have had several influential people in my life tell me that I should start reading Bill Robinson's stuff. "Sign up for his newsletters" or read the strategic plan for Whitworth University. Just read him because his stuff is so consumable but so rich. I read Incarnate Leadership in one sitting and find myself using its principles in classes I teach and with the leadership of businesses I am lucky enough to consult with.

This book will be one that I pull from the shelf often not only to consult for its content but to remind myself on perspectives that are bottom shelf and practical in the now. For me it was a how I may lead in the moment I am confronted with today.

This is a very insightful book on leadership in higher education. Well worth including in any leader's library.