What do you think?
Rate this book
Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender
Nailing Outdated Leadership Practices to the Cross
Traditional leadership teachings and styles haven't changed much in years. But the world is changing and so are Christian leaders—women need room for their natural gifts to shine and people of color needed space to elevate the values they bring into their roles. Even seasoned leaders are growing weary of the status quo, craving innovative ways to lean into new ways of thinking for the good of their organizations and the emerging generations they serve.
In this transformative resource for leaders of all ages, Nicole Massie Martin inspires us to crucify our ministry idols and nail our outdated leadership practices to the cross. Sharing leadership principles and case studies wrapped in biblical precepts and pastoral wisdom, she leads us through seven areas of traditional leadership that need to be
PowerEgoSpeedPerformancePerfectionLoyaltyScaleGet ready to take the leap of faith into new leadership realities, and discover how crucified living can lead you to nail it.
Traditional leadership teachings and styles haven't changed much in years. But the world is changing and so are Christian leaders—women need room for their natural gifts to shine and people of color needed space to elevate the values they bring into their roles. Even seasoned leaders are growing weary of the status quo, craving innovative ways to lean into new ways of thinking for the good of their organizations and the emerging generations they serve.
In this transformative resource for leaders of all ages, Nicole Massie Martin inspires us to crucify our ministry idols and nail our outdated leadership practices to the cross. Sharing leadership principles and case studies wrapped in biblical precepts and pastoral wisdom, she leads us through seven areas of traditional leadership that need to be
PowerEgoSpeedPerformancePerfectionLoyaltyScaleGet ready to take the leap of faith into new leadership realities, and discover how crucified living can lead you to nail it.
- GenresLeadership
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 8, 2025
22 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.5)
Traditional leadership models no longer serve today’s church. This book invites leaders to crucify outdated practices and reimagine leadership through the cross. Grounded in Scripture, pastoral wisdom, and case studies, it examines seven distorted leadership areas—power, ego, speed, performance, perfection, loyalty, and scale—calling leaders toward presence, faithfulness, and cruciform authority for the good of the church and future generations.
I’ve served in pastoral leadership at two churches so far, and this is the first book I’ve read that so clearly names the fine line between leadership authority and surrender. In the American church context I serve in, it’s far too easy to measure pastoral leadership using cultural metrics that have quietly infiltrated the church. As I read through each leadership area Nicole addresses, I could easily see myself in past situations—sometimes leading faithfully, other times caught on the opposite side of the very power struggles she describes. This book doesn’t just point out how often we ground our leadership in secular expectations; it calls us to a reordering of priorities toward sacrificial surrender—ultimately a surrender of pride—and back to a deeply biblical theology of Jesus’ leadership.
It’s rare to find an author who speaks with such authority while remaining both convicting and genuinely equipping, especially through case studies that challenge without feeling confrontational. The diversity of perspective woven throughout is also exceptional—and honestly refreshing. I mean… how many leadership books have we all read by older white men? 😅
Why I read: I’m attending @urbana.25 in (eeeeeeek) two weeks, and reading this only heightened my excitement to hear from this incredible leader.
Thank you @ivpress for the book! What are the chances the author might sign my copy at Urbana 👀
Perfect for you if you like:
Faithfulness-driven leadership, not how-to tactics
Presence over performance
Honest critique of platform and scale
Books that challenge church leadership culture
Similar to:
In the Name of Jesus by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton
Playing God by Andy Crouch
Traditional leadership models no longer serve today’s church. This book invites leaders to crucify outdated practices and reimagine leadership through the cross. Grounded in Scripture, pastoral wisdom, and case studies, it examines seven distorted leadership areas—power, ego, speed, performance, perfection, loyalty, and scale—calling leaders toward presence, faithfulness, and cruciform authority for the good of the church and future generations.
I’ve served in pastoral leadership at two churches so far, and this is the first book I’ve read that so clearly names the fine line between leadership authority and surrender. In the American church context I serve in, it’s far too easy to measure pastoral leadership using cultural metrics that have quietly infiltrated the church. As I read through each leadership area Nicole addresses, I could easily see myself in past situations—sometimes leading faithfully, other times caught on the opposite side of the very power struggles she describes. This book doesn’t just point out how often we ground our leadership in secular expectations; it calls us to a reordering of priorities toward sacrificial surrender—ultimately a surrender of pride—and back to a deeply biblical theology of Jesus’ leadership.
It’s rare to find an author who speaks with such authority while remaining both convicting and genuinely equipping, especially through case studies that challenge without feeling confrontational. The diversity of perspective woven throughout is also exceptional—and honestly refreshing. I mean… how many leadership books have we all read by older white men? 😅
Why I read: I’m attending @urbana.25 in (eeeeeeek) two weeks, and reading this only heightened my excitement to hear from this incredible leader.
Thank you @ivpress for the book! What are the chances the author might sign my copy at Urbana 👀
Perfect for you if you like:
Faithfulness-driven leadership, not how-to tactics
Presence over performance
Honest critique of platform and scale
Books that challenge church leadership culture
Similar to:
In the Name of Jesus by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton
Playing God by Andy Crouch
March 21, 2025
"Nailing It" is a great read for a different and admittingly Christian view of leadership in today's world. While many "leadership" titles challenge the reader to acquire and use power for the leader's benefit, this title focuses on the necessity for successful leadership (really, it should be servanthood to others) requiring suffering and surrender.
Around 200 pages, the title addresses many topics, including:
- Reasons why leaders do not try to improve their employee engagement.
- We win in Christ by dying to self.
- Ways we can surrender our will for God's glory and other people's benefit.
- Knowing who you are in Christ helps you to die to self and ego and to live in humility.
- The importance of living according to God's pace and timetable instead of ours or the world's.
- The downside of emphasizing too much on job performance while minimizing a positive presence in other people's lives.
- Our highest loyalty must be to Jesus Christ, not a mere human.
- Bigger is not always better.
The title is relevant, easy to read and understand, and includes a helpful notes section for further reading on various topics. A much needed title in a me-first world. Highly recommended.
I was given a review copy by IVP in exchange for a fair review and appreciate the opportunity.
Around 200 pages, the title addresses many topics, including:
- Reasons why leaders do not try to improve their employee engagement.
- We win in Christ by dying to self.
- Ways we can surrender our will for God's glory and other people's benefit.
- Knowing who you are in Christ helps you to die to self and ego and to live in humility.
- The importance of living according to God's pace and timetable instead of ours or the world's.
- The downside of emphasizing too much on job performance while minimizing a positive presence in other people's lives.
- Our highest loyalty must be to Jesus Christ, not a mere human.
- Bigger is not always better.
The title is relevant, easy to read and understand, and includes a helpful notes section for further reading on various topics. A much needed title in a me-first world. Highly recommended.
I was given a review copy by IVP in exchange for a fair review and appreciate the opportunity.
April 14, 2025
Such a convicting, yet deeply refreshing leadership book. So grateful for Nicole offering a solid case for redemptive leadership which manages to succinctly lay a theological foundation with practical application. Highly recommend!
July 27, 2025
I've read dozens of leadership books, yet Martin offers fresh insights. Defining what needs to be crucified to lead in the image of Christ has the potential to help me lead like Jesus. Highly recommend.
August 31, 2025
I appreciate this book's approach to leadership, defined by following Jesus in servanthood and care for others. The author includes practical questions to assist readers in living out crucified leadership in their own ministry contexts.
November 25, 2025
Had to get out my highlighter for this book. So many fresh applications of Scripture in light of leadership. The first point alone of taking up our cross daily, such a basic Bible verse, and applying it to leadership was eye opening. A must read for leaders both in ministry and secular vocations.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews