The Return

Review: Remarkable! Maximizing Results Through Value Creation Dr. Randy Ross and David Salyers Baker Books 2016 Assessment, Alignment, Adjustment, Advancement, all woven into what the publishers have called a leadership parable.   It’s tale of a chat at a car repair shop that leads the wisdom seeker into change.   His business prompted the conversation, but, as with lots of things in life, the advice and instruction he receives goes deeper, but the focus remains on his business questions.   Ross and Salyers parable reads easily, is a bit pedantic to suit me, but gives the patient reader plenty to ponder.   Within the four sections listed above illustrations from car repair lead to application elsewhere, as is the way of the parable.   The meat comes in the last few chapters.   The first half is the ground work.   The rewards are to those that read both, even though I nearly set the book aside in that first half. Summary graphics ...

Review: Innovation’s Dirty Little Secret Larry Osborne Zondervan 2013 This book is much better than it could’ve been.   Yes, I’ve read Lencioni and a few others and this one can hold its own with them.   First of all it isn’t all about how to run a church.   It isn’t pure business either.   What Osborne covers is important for both sides.   Lots of people skills here and he doesn’t mince words about how to deal with problems---your own and the others.   Deal with them, but maybe from an angle you hadn’t expected to read. His first section starts right.   You have to have an exit strategy ready at the outset.   Innovations fail frequently and damage control matters for everyone and especially the leader of the group.   Communication strategies matter.   Picking the right battle, having a clear vision that is clear to more than the leader matter.   Enlisting the right people at the right time matters, identifying th...

Review: NIV Leadership Bible: Leading by the Book Zondervan 2013 This review will not comment on the biblical text, but only on the portions that make this the Leadership Bible and maybe a few other things.   With that said, what impressed me first off was the look and feel of this book.   I received an Italian DuoTone™ with ribbon.   Gilt edge, of course.   The general feel of the book is good, and the type clear and decent sized, like maybe 10-12 point for the biblical text.   I am very grateful to have received such a nice volume for this review.   Thank you, Zondervan and BookSneeze. Beyond the outward appearance though is the content that falls under the leadership emphasis.   For the general reader there are comments and notes throughout the text labeled as INSIGHTS.   Short, helpful and related to a few verses in the immediate vicinity.   For those that purchase this Bible for the leadership study there is a 52 week seri...