Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: How to Become an Effective Leader by Confronting Potential Failures

by Gary L. McIntosh, Samuel D. Rima

The Christian world has been rocked by the number of prominent leaders, in both church and parachurch organizations, who have been compromised by moral, ethical, and theological failures. This pace-setting volume addresses this alarming problem and offers Christian leaders valuable guidance in dealing with the inherent risks of their work.
Using biblical and current examples, the authors describe the characteristics of five types of leaders and the problems that are most likely to develop if their particular dysfunctions develop unrestrained. McIntosh and Rima offer a series of steps for leaders to consider so they can take control of their dark side and learn to harness its creative powers. This edition includes a new introduction, updated information throughout, a self-assessment tool, and other additional material. Includes endorsements from John Maxwell, Leighton Ford, Leith Anderson, and Rob Angel.

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it takes a while to get to the point, about the first third of the book could have been reduced down to two chapters, the rest of the books builds upon it and gives a foundation to begins understanding the sides of us that we ignore, or what the book likes to call: Our Dark Side.

It suggests a couple other books to read to delve deeper into this idea of dark sides outside of a leadership standpoint, but still does a great job of giving an overall idea of who we are and why we do the things we do.

If you are a leader who feels like you've got some personal life, and no matter what an interviewer expects you to say/do, you will have the dark side and personal side of your life effect you sometime. You would stand to benefit from this book, to understand how to begin to face that dark side without fear of it consuming you. Which is what most leaders who ignored it or succumbed to it have done.

[Kristel Acevedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me on a journey! And it was not easy. Confronting your dark side is no joke. I’m glad for the practical steps given and the consistent pointing to Christ.