Humble Leadership: Being Radically Open to God's Guidance and Grace (Book)
N. Graham Standish, Author.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2007.

This book defines humble leadership and compares it with other approaches to leadership. While not dismissing the styles employed in corporations, author Graham Standish explains how and why a pastor or other congregational leader should lead differently.

For Standish, humble leadership is self-aware, prayerful, unifying, and Spirit-led; he devotes a chapter to each of these qualities. Self-aware leaders understand that many times they don't have the answers to problems or questions. Examining their lives and seeking to follow God's path lessens the chances that they will abuse their leadership. Prayerful leaders recognize that leadership is always grounded in prayer, "because prayer puts us in a place where we can listen for and hear God." Unifying leaders "seek the common good that is rooted in God's good." Spirit-led leaders foster faithful decision-making by uniting their wills with God's will.

The final chapter on effective humble leadership examines ways to put theory into practice. Five essential skills are named: (1) lifting up other good leaders; (2) eliciting ideas, seeking God's guidance, and setting a direction; (3) giving guidance and then letting go; (4) accepting criticism, resisting offense, and providing support; and (5) becoming thankful.

Congregational leaders, both lay and ordained, will find this approach to leadership refreshing and renewing. With its emphasis on a real and life-giving relationship with God, this book will particularly benefit those who have felt stuck in leadership patterns that may be functional but feel lifeless.

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See also these resources:

Heart, Mind, and Strength: Theory and Practice for Congregational Leadership (Book)
Jeffrey D. Jones, Author.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2008.
Drawing from extensive scholarship on leadership and his many years of pastoral experience, Jeffrey Jones summarizes inspiring theories of leadership and offers practical advice for implementing these theories in the congregation.