The Wise Leader

by Uli Chi

Leading and mentoring begins with wisdom.

Though we are overwhelmed with information, we often struggle to find true wisdom. Yet those leading or mentoring others, whether in business or in spiritual life, must rely on wisdom’s guidance to lead with purpose and meaning. With decades of leadership experience in business, nonprofits, and Christian higher education, Uli Chi helps readers build this foundational virtue. 

Looking to Scripture as well as art and literature, Chi illuminates the nature of wisdom as fundamentally relational and other-centered. In the context of leadership, biblical wisdom shows us the importance of wielding power with humility. Chi also provides a framework for the formation of character and vision in the lifelong journey of gaining wisdom. Full of substantive and practical reflections,  The Wise Leader  both forms young leaders and teaches experienced leaders how to pass on the torch meaningfully.

Genres: Leadership

192 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2024

Reviews

[Cathy Hine]

An interesting and thoughtful invitation to explore another dimension of leadership. His exploration of wisdom was helpful and gives me plenty to reflect on in my own leadership.

[Bob Robinson]

We would do well to learn over their shoulders and through their hearts from those with real-life experience and deep resources for wisdom.
With decades of leadership experience in business, nonprofits, and Christian higher education, Uli Chi is just such a person.

Uli Chi is an award-winning technological entrepreneur who founded Chi-LLC, a software company that develops 3-D virtual reality space planning and visualization software.

In this book, the author tells stories from his own personal life in leading a business, and what he learned both from his successes and his failures. He learned how to have humility while in the leadership bubble that can often puff one’s ego up.

A major theme of the book is this:
“Wise leaders use power for the sake of others.”

Wisdom is not found by follow these steps and you are guaranteed to make great decisions. Chi says that it takes paying attention to context and details, understanding nuance and complexities. It takes being in community filled with diversity so that you have many counselors.

There are a lot of books on leadership strategies but this book is a must read for those who want to nurture a leadership guided by wisdom.

[Darcy]

I first heard Uli Chi on the Being Human podcast and was inspired by his approach to leadership. The book did not disappoint. Chi brings a faith-based, human-centred approach to leadership based on extensive reading and experience. Building leadership around the theme of wisdom was refreshing and opened up multiple doors for reflection. I particularly like the concepts of “bifocal vision” and the three dimensions of wisdom, along with his extensive exploration of power (a nice companion to Andy Crouch’s work). Many points made in the book have served as rich discussion points for my leadership team.

[Sarah Abbey]

I've been reading this book for work. I found its contents to be helpful and wise (no pun intended). I especially appreciated the emphasis on humility and the importance of imagination in leading well. While the wisdom offered is grounded in Christianity and the Bible, the book is written for anyone in a business or non-profit leadership role.

[Brandi Diamond]

Really enjoyed this thoughtful book.

[Maria McCann]

Would give 4.5 ★ if possible.

Excellent book that I plan to return to!

[Becky Flood]

We read this together as a regional team and met for monthly chapter discussions.