The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham

by Harold Myra, Marshall Shelley

Many people don't think of Billy Graham in connection with leadership. Yet the truth is that behind the scenes Dr. Graham has personified what Jim Collins in his bestseller Good to Great calls a Level 5 leader -- a paradoxical mix of personal humility and professional will to advance the cause of Christ's kingdom. Graham's fingerprints are on many of the key Christian institutions such as his founding of the media presence of Christianity Today, the National Association of Evangelicals, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association with all of its media arms, as well as global coalitions such as the Lausanne and Amsterdam conferences. The book takes us behind the scenes singling out twenty key principles of leadership, with character traits, and illustrates them with stories and examples from the life of Billy Graham. Rather than being a chronological biography, the book is an insightful story-driven analysis of the leadership of perhaps the world's best-known religious leader who has been on Gallop's top ten most-admired-men list thirty-nine times -- more than any other individual. At the turn of the century Dr. includes transferable applications providing readers with take-home value whether they are involved in leadership in a church, parachurch, business, or educational setting.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction, Christian, Biography, Religion, Christianity

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

As a leader of Christianity Today International, Harold has been instrumental in creating an extremely successful nonprofit organization. Behind his leadership CTI has vastly expanded the number of magazines it publishes and the audience it reaches. The CTI website explains that more than 2.5 million readers currently receive the organization's 11 publications that include Christianity Today, Leadership Journal, Campus Life, Today's Christian Woman, Marriage Partnership, Christian History & Biography, Your Church, Today's Christian, Books & Culture, Christian Parenting Today, and Men of Integrity. In addition, CTI reaches additional people with these online offerings: PreachingToday.com, BuildingChurchLeaders.com, and the Christianity Today online magazine.

Reviews

[Ethan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a little bit biography, a little bit leadership book. And, in trying to do both, it doesn't do either especially well.

Also, I didn't know much about BG before reading this, and I think that there's a good deal to respect about him. However, the people that Myra and Shelley reference are dated in the worst way possible. Maybe in 2004(?) it was commendable to cite Driscoll, Hybels, and Zacharias. Not so in 2025. I'd say there's no real reason to read this book.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the dearth of leadership in our society, I have become very interested in the subject. The book is interesting in that it chronicles Billy Graham's life and also gives us examples of leadership, One of my big takeaways from the book is that much of leadership stems from character and Billy Graham demonstrates this. It is also an unfortunate observation as we see that the lack of character, particularly in the current political leaders in both Canada and the US, is not something that can be learned. We will just have to endure it.

[Dan Hendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST LEADERSHIP BOOK I'VE READ IN A WHILE. I found this hidden gem as an audio book in the library. I found myself getting misty eyed while driving because of the powerful ways that Billy Graham led with love and strength.

[John Hailes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of leadership that gives some poignant insight into a great man!

[Bart Breen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Knew? Though maybe we should have ...

Billy Graham is not thought of as an organizational leader first and foremost, but then again, without the ability to organize and lead, the message for which he will be known as one of the foremost purveyors of in the 20th century would not have gotten out.

What organizations take for granted today, Graham intuitively seemed to know and understand well before terms such as "team-building and "organizational mission" become catch-phrases.

More than just a study in management though, this book is a study in character and deals not just with the triumphs but also the failures and struggles. In that way it reads as easily and as honestly as the subject matter himself.

Especially helpful are the sections that deal with how crusades and cooperative efforts were accomplished without making key compromises. That is as much an art as any science one could offer.

This book has a lot to offer for ministries and Christian organizations, but the principals hold true in businesses of any size.

A very profitable read!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unsurprisingly, the reader walks away from this book with an even greater respect for the humble and powerful servant of God that Billy Graham was. Unfortunately, I felt the book was neither fish nor fowl. In trying to blend the best of the leadership development strategy with biographical elements, neither was accomplished as successfully as I would have liked. That said, there were plenty of good nuggets in the book: the anecdotes from Billy Graham's life chief among them.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of THE best leadership books I have read. Billy Graham is a leader that is out to please God and not man. He lead this nation as a Christian Leader, by listening and being obedient to what God has asked him to do. I find myself referencing his leadership in my life often. a true disciple of Christ!

[Aaron Cash]

Such a Powerful book describing some incredible wisdom and insight in ministry and leadership. Looking through the life of Dr. Billy Graham for invaluable and incredible these character developing lessons are sure to change your life, advance your career and increase your spiritual development and exponentially improve your ministry journey

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. Takes a different perspective; rather than a biography, picks out strengths and explores them from a broader viewpoint. Very favorable for Billy - leaves you believing he was indeed a remarable man who has had a remarable and unique ministry.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not only a biography of Billy Graham "America's Preacher" but also a leadership guilde that will prove useful in all areas of influence. Whether leading a Not For Profit or a Fortune 500 or something in between -- This book has something for us all!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good balance of biography and guiding principles for leadership. I appreciated the transparency of Graham in his failures and his humility in success. God's grace and power are evident in his life and through this book.

[Chris Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this book for a grad school assignment on non-profit leadership. Since the professor was not Christian, they hated the paper I wrote, and gave me an average grade. This book is a good reference documenting the integrity and life long excellent character of Dr. Billy Graham.

[John Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good especially if you have never read anything on the life of Graham. A lot of good principles to take away from this book.

[Seth Hein · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book on leadership. I learned so much through the examples of Billy's life and through the themes addressed.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book to read as I thought about ministry, but also a great read for anyone who is thinking about leading with integrity in any setting.

[Gina Herald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another servant leader. A man who lived out what he preached in front of the entire world and did it with humility and grace. Someone to be admired for sure.

[Terry Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, moving, inspirational, and instructional. These are just some of the words I would use for this book. One of the best books I have read recently.

[Kyle Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graham is not just an evangelist but a very strong and godly leader.

[Tony denBok · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://marshilltop.blogspot.ca/2011/0...

[Mike Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on leadership from a different angle. Well worth the read!

[Tiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, inspirational points and stories that any leader should know and apply.

[Scott Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite leadership books. One of few who truly was and is a servant leader. :)

[Zach Fischer]

Best book on leadership ever written.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many how to succeed in business books out there and this should be considered one of them. A must read with very good insights into succeeding in business and in life.

[Binoy Chacko · Rating 5 out of 5]

an eulogy to Dr. Billy Graham

[Harla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great management book!