Learning to Lead: How to Bring Out the Best in People

by Fred Smith

Despite the jokes about "too many chiefs and not enough Indians," genuine leadership is in short supply in most churches. "Leadership," according to Fred Smith, "is what enables any group to bridge the chasm between where they are and where they should be. Crossing the Red sea, passing through the desert, or facing any immediate difficulty, a group needs leadership to make progress." True leaders attract followers and bring out the best in them. This book offers fresh insight into what leadership demands and suggests practical ways to become a better leader--of yourself, of your co-workers, of your congregation. It is for those who recognize that leadership is important for any church to grow and penetrate the community.

Genres: Leadership, Christian

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great inspiration for the Christian leader

[Jhcuatro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Still relevant for Christian leaders nearly 20 years later.

[Mark Roossinck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical advice from a sage leader.

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning to Lead is a book of advice and encouragement to leaders from Fred Smith, who was a successful businessman and also active in speaking to and teaching Christian groups. The book is divided into four parts:

1. The Unique Role
2. Directing Yourself
3. Guiding Your Workers
4. Leading Your Congregation

The general advice in the first three parts was good, if much the same as what's in many other books on leadership. Smith gives tried-and-true advice about personal discipline, motivating and inspiring your team, and other typical leadership topics. I found the fourth part less interesting and relevant, because it is all about how to preach and how to lead a church. This is the section of the book that has become the most outdated.

In general, not a bad book as a refresher in some of the basic attitudes and expectations of leadership from a Christian perspective, and especially within a Christian context. But there's little that stands out as particularly memorable or unique. For a general book on Christian leadership, I prefer Denny Gunderson's The Leadership Paradox (reviewed here).

[Rhett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pretty good book and had some useful leadership information in it. It was a little more church oriented than I cared for, which is why I rated it at a 3 star. Take away 90% of the church stuff and I put this at a 4 star.