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Review: The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters by Albert Mohler

Review: The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters
Albert Mohler
Bethany House Publishers
2012

This seems to be Dr. Mohler’s foray into the plethora of leadership/management books available to the public. His stated goal from page 20 is to “redefine Christian leadership” related to held beliefs, and “to motivate” those with those beliefs to preparation for leadership. Worthy goal and hopefully one that has defined his twenty years as the president of a denominational seminary.

His 25 principles are a list of what he thinks leaders should be. He draws heavily from those he considers to be successful leaders of the past in business, political, and military fields. Martin Luther, Francis Schaeffer, and Stephen Colbert are also mentioned. The principles here are not new or innovative if the reader has read any of the works published in the business field within the last thirty years.

His presentation of the principles is brief and in some cases he makes statements that seem antagonistic. “The fact is that most human beings evidently do not like to think.” (59) Really? Or this one, “Reading is like any other skill---most people are satisfied to operate at a low level.”(101) or this speaking of credibility, “…you cannot even lead a Boy Scout troop without it.” (89) where he denigrates the efforts of those that have ever worked with the Scouts as some minor thing. I understand the point he is trying to make in these cases, but find his communication skills (chapter 11) lacking.

Overall, this book one that you can pass up despite the glowing recommendations that some have given it.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for this review.

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