Book Review: Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell

As someone that studied leadership in college, I am fascinated by the books that go into leadership theory and how to become an effective leader. This book is a revised edition of a book originally published more than two decades ago. John Maxwell has updated his vision of leadership and then goes on to explain how to become an effective leader. He covers topics such as when is someone a manager versus a leader - this to me has always been the core to being a leader, moving away from merely managing people, projects or tasks to effectively leading a group of people and transforming not just yourself into a leader, but transforming the employees into a team. Hint: It takes more than repeating that there is no i in team.
He also covers topics such as how to effectively motivate people and get them to do their best because they want and not because you make them.
I also like that he still recognizes that a leader is an individual, not all lessons will be applicable to every reader and leaders in different situations may require different lessons. But overall, this book will be useful for anyone that is tasked with leading an effort be it in a company, in school, in T-ball or in a family.

available on amazon.com

Disclaimer: I received a free book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.

Book review: Blessed Are the Misfits by Brant Hansen

The full title of the book is "Blessed Are the Misfits: Great News for Believers who are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They're Missing Something" by the author Brant Hansen. 

This is an interesting book and is intended for reader, who sometimes or maybe often feel at odds with the regular church and the traditional messages.  
The description makes it clear, if the church in its current form makes sense to you and you feel at hime here, do not read the book or you may feel lost, be uneasy and maybe even get a little bit mad.

This book is intended for people that may not appreciated the louder aspects of the religious culture seen in many churches, the TV evangelists and the people that are in your face religious. Religion to me and in our family was a very personal affair, that was independent of politics and the rest of society. While we, if asked, indicated our religious affiliation, we were not overt about which church we belonged and had no issues opposing certain lessons in the church or disagreeing with the leaders locally and nationally.

The author of this book is radio host Brant Hansen and he tries to assure people that not agreeing or fitting into the mold of the modern Christian is perfectly fine and acceptable and there is nothing wrong with you!

If you often feel that your subdued art of being religious does not fit in with the outspoken members your church - no problem. If you feel that making religious a very personal affair and are not willing to stand up in front of people or carry around signs showing your religious affiliation - no problem. This in your face, let me be hard attitude about religion is not always comfortable to people and the author shows that there may be more of these misfits than originally thought.

This book may not fit in with church teaching about mission work and being loud and proud about Christianity at every corner of your life, but for us quieter souls it is a welcome tonic that shows that quiet adherence to the Bible can be just as good before God than the endless desire to be open to the public about your beliefs.

available on amazon.com

 

Disclaimer: I received a free book in exchange for an honest review. The opinion expressed is solely my own and has not been influenced by any third party.