From the Inside Flap
RI
Relational Intelligence (RI) reminds us that the way we choose to relate to one another determines the quality of our human experience and reveals what we value most. If we took a panoramic view of humanity, we'd discover that human relationships unfortunately are often reduced to a commodity, as if people were buying, selling, and trading relationships for personal benefit. This book challenges leaders to no longer see people as a means to an end but to approach people with relational intelligence.
In this book, thought leader, relational intelligence practitioner, and professor Steve Saccone defines the six roles of a relational genius and why they're essential for the relationally intelligent leader. These life-changing principles can be applied both to church leadership and any other leadership context.
While many leaders want to be relationally intelligent, they struggle to understand what it means and how to implement it. Saccone defines RI in a clear and provocative way: "Relational" in RI means learning to see people as the highest value and conveying that to them. The "Intelligent" part of RI means learning effective interpersonal skills and then applying them in ways that expand influence.
Many leaders long to be influential and missional but, mistakenly, this pursuit is often at the cost of valuing people. When leaders get the relational part right (loving well), and combine it with the intelligence part (applying effective interpersonal skills), their impact will be far-reaching, and even immeasurable.
As a result of becoming relationally intelligent, the world will become not only a smarter place, but a more human one. This is the world Jesus envisions, where love and mission intersect—a world that can only become a reality if we begin to live—and lead with—this new way of being smart.
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From the Back Cover
With a Foreword by Erwin Raphael McManus
RI
Relational Intelligence
Steve Saccone
How Leaders Can Expand Their Influence Through a New Way of Being Smart
"If you've ever wondered why smart leaders do dumb things, this is the book for you. Steve unpacks the dynamics that make leaders most effective—as well as most joyful. You probably don't need this information yourself, but read it anyway. You'll think of lots of people who do need it."
—John Ortberg, best-selling author and senior pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church
"Steve Saccone . . . is not merely a theorist, but a practitioner that I greatly admire as I have seen in action what he writes about. Relational Intelligence is thought provoking and most of all practical. Leadership of any form is about people and communication and Steve ingeniously addresses both."
—Dan Kimball, author, They Like Jesus But Not The Church, and pastor, Vintage Faith Church
"Wow! You cannot read Relational Intelligence and not be challenged, empowered, and equipped. This book has it all, and every leader must read it!"
—Princess Kasune Zulu, advocate and activist for HIV and AIDS;
World Vision spokeswoman; world-renowned speaker; and author, Warrior Princess
"If anyone is qualified to write on Relational Intelligence it's Steve Saccone. You'll have a new friend by the time you're done reading this book."
—Mark Batterson, best-selling author and lead pastor, National Community Church
"Steve Saccone . . . .point[s] to issues in our inner and outer worlds that significantly shape our influence as leaders. For those of us who value leading through relationship, this book is a wise investment."
—Nancy Ortberg, consultant and founding partner, Teamworx2, an affiliate for Table Group (A Patrick Lencioni Company)
"Curiosity got me started in this book; great insight kept me reading; transformation has me planning on reading it again! Steve Saccone takes the mystery out of 'how to' when it comes to influencing others . . . .Brilliant stuff!"
—Ed Gungor, New York Times best-selling author, There's More to the Secret
