Customer Reviews

The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make

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Hans Finzel makes the case that poor leadership habits are often the byproduct of observing others' poor leadership habits. This book suggests a concise list of such habits for leaders to dissect and change, with anecdotal examples as well as clear action items that can be implemented tomorrow morning.

Generally, Dr. Finzel solves his Top Ten list of mistakes using the strategies of servant leadership (the basis of the author's own success in church leadership), and he supports his writing with Biblical quotes and his own view on modeling one's actions after Christ's.

However, Finzel generally delivers plain-spoken, well-explained concepts that can be employed in most companies and organizations. Whatever your religion, his strategies embrace a positive, ethical approach to leadership that has been glaringly absent in many corporate American cultures in recent years.

This title probably didn't make a bestseller list, but it is a hidden gem for both established and emerging leaders who wish to prevent or improve upon common poor habits -- a refreshing change of pace from the mainstream best-sellers. For the price, it belongs in your leadership library.

Finzel's book was written in '94, well before Kotter's "What Leaders Really Do" (written in '99) & Collins' "Good to Great" (written in '01). Finzel "outs" the most immediate perils to any leader's reign (top 10) & did so prior to the market research that Kotter & Collins offer. Kotter & Collins provide the data that supports Finzel's book, but Finzel's text is to the point & more eloquent. Pay special attention to mistakes #2 & 8. In today's corportae culture, not fitting the culture is a deal killer.

Do not be fooled by size or the title of this book. Small which makes for a quick read and an excellent reference guide. The points that are developed are not rocket science stuff but points that are faced regularly. I have been in leadership positions for over 30 years and truly enjoyed this style of writting. He points out the mistakes and before you know it you are on knees confessing that you have done the same. I especially liked the chapters on "Dirty Delegation" and how it takes the wind out of the sail from any project. Leaders make this error in the name of geting things done. Another favorite of mine is, "Communication Chaos". This sole, small, simple chapter has changed how we communicate in our corporation. More info, relevant info, important info; info; info and more info. This chapter alone has increased our atmosphere of teamwork and productivity. This is a must read for every executive in your company.

This book was written in 1994 and yet when I picked up a copy to read recently it presents concepts absolutely essential to today's corporate environment. This is all the more remarkable considering that his original audience for his book were those in leadership positions in the church. Thus, throughout the book are both organizational and spiritual concepts.

The book is divided neatly into ten chapters, each dealing with a "mistake" and providing the counter examples of how these leadership issues can be reversed to allow for more growth within the organization and better leadership.

The titles of the ten chapters are themselves fascinating and excellent at describing the leadership mistakes. They include; The top-down attitude; Putting paperwork before people work; The absence of affirmation; No room for mavericks; Dictatorship in decision-making; Dirt delegation; Communication chaos; Missing the clues of corporate culture; Success without successors; Failure to focus on the future.

Each of these chapters presents some outstanding insights into how leaders fail to make the most of their people, and get results. One in particular is always the challenge of leadership in most corporations, the "No room for mavericks" describes how the most creative, and insightful of employees are often forced to comply with the inside-the-box thinking of the organizations current status. Of course, without "mavericks" many companies simply fade out of existence, and many others become a shadow of what they once were. Yet today inside many corporations are leaders so focused on compliance and control, that they may control away their futures, and drive those who are innovative away to other places.

This book is simple, straightforward, and completely accurate. Very highly recommended, as nearly every chapter could be a book in itself.

Simpy put, if I had to choose only ONE book on leadership to have, this would be it. One, Finzel's book is power-packed and very too-the-point. He wastes little time with redundant examples, but chooses them carefully to illustrate his points. Hence, two, this is a quick read. Three, it is one worth re-reading, and then savoring.

I purchased the book 'TOP TEN MISTAKES...' and then waited a year to read it. I wish I had read this book that instant.This is one of those paperbacks that is short, concise, and Full of information; useful stuff with some examples. As soon as I had finished the book, I found a way to recomend it to MY boss.

I found this book to be very accurate with regard to real life situations encountered by myself and several other acquaintances. It was perceptive and included many real life situations and scenarios. I think it applies well to spiritual settings (churches) as well as business and non-profit companies. It is well organized and has convenient summary lists of key ideas.

This book is not only designed for Christian / Worship leaders but also for the average Manager. I am a first line supervisor in a law enforcement setting and if I didn't know any better I would have bet that Mr. Finzel worked in law enforcement! IT WAS RIGHT ON!! BUY THIS BOOK! IT IS EASY AND EXCELLENT READING!

I picked this up at the airport, still reeling from a recent, ugly, resignation from a job largely driven by my direct supervisor. I feel that this book is just as good for the led as it is for the leaders, affirming such concepts as the importance of a simple word of praise for a job well done and the need to kick the organizational pyramid over. I'm not one for organized religion but found his Christian-based comparisons and references quite interesting. It also reminded me that before I felt so beaten down and stooped to constantly trying to please the insatiable boss, I used to consider myself a leader of sorts!

Although the Republican party has led me to despise the word "maverick", that is what led to my almost-firing. It was also that maverick energy that I used freely and gladly to help build the business and make her look as good as I could. Don't discount us nutballs, even if we can't sit still!

While this book would certainly apply to all leadership, it is especially helpful for Christian leaders. The points the author makes here are practical and to the point -- there is no intellectual rambling present. Each chapter is devoted to a blunder common to leaders, and begins with a bullet point summary of the insights contained in the pages that follow. I benefited from reading all ten of the mistakes, but numbers two, six and eight really hit home. Chapter two is entitled, "Putting Paperwork before People: Confessions of a Type A Personality." The chapter title summarizes this one well. Chapter six is dubbed, "Dirty Delegation: Refusing to Relax and to Let Go." Sometimes we just have to relax and let others make their own mistakes as we delegate, realizing they are growing as people and as leaders in the process. Chapter eight is headed, "Missing the Clues of Corporate Culture: The Unseen Killer of Many Leaders." How many times have pastors and other church workers failed to come to grips with the culture of a congregation before seeking to affect change? Finzel defines culture as "the way we do things around here." Changing the culture of an organization is critical, but underestimating the power of the present culture can be disastrous for a leader.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and recommend it highly. It is well worth the investment of the money and the time.