LEADERSHIP BEEF JERKY

Principles of leadership, as seen through a Christian lens.

Bourgond (Setting Your Course, 2014), a minister and founder of Shoreview, Minnesota–based Heart of a Warrior Ministries, takes a decidedly faith-based approach to leadership in this skillfully written book. The quirky title (and the subtitle, “Principles and Practices You Can Chew On”) refer to a variety of leadership strategies, techniques, and tips, compiled into brief chapters that one can fruitfully read randomly or in order. It’s a broad-brush, somewhat haphazard approach, but it’s neatly organized into three sections, dealing with thought, emotion, and implementation. In the first part, titled “Head,” Bourgond appropriately discusses such key leadership attributes as prioritizing, making good decisions, adjusting expectations to reality, and overcoming barriers. The second part, “Heart,” offers chapters on topics such as “Values,” “Integrity,” and “Centering,” which focus more on one’s character and approach to life. The longest, most process-oriented part, “Hand,” concludes the book and addresses typical leadership issues, including establishing goals and objectives; recruiting, interviewing, and developing other potential leaders; motivating individuals and mobilizing teams; and resolving conflicts. These are all covered diligently but lightly, without a lot of depth. This is standard fare for leadership books, but this work’s unabashedly religious overtone distinguishes it. Each chapter features a sprinkling of excerpts from or references to Scripture; throughout, the author weaves his deeply held Christian beliefs, driven by “five major ministry insights” that center on “godly leadership,” with more typical, secular content. For example, to describe a leader “from a biblical point of view,” Bourgond excerpts this definition by Dr. J. Robert Clinton, a leadership professor at California-based Fuller Theological Seminary: “A leader is a person with a God-given capacity and a God-given responsibility to influence a specific group of God’s people toward his purposes for the group.” As a result, this book will likely appeal most to religious leaders and other devout Christians.

A passionately presented, faith-based guide to leading others.