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The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength

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You have the capacity to become an extraordinary leader--if you are willing to embrace a deeper definition of leadership and take action to apply it.In The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership, Jenni Catron, executive church leader and author of Clout , reveals the secrets to standout leadership found in the Great "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."Weaving a winsome narrative filled with inspiring real-life stories, hard-won wisdom, and practical applications, Catron unpacks four essential aspects of growing more your heart for relational leadership, your soul for spiritual leadership, your mind for managerial leadership, and your strength for visionary leadership.Leadership isn't easy, but it is possible to move from ordinary to extraordinary. Jenni Catron shows the way.

240 pages, Unknown Binding

First published December 1, 2015

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334 people want to read

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Jenni Catron

10 books5 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Todd Mckeever.
131 reviews16 followers
February 4, 2016
This was a decent book. I enjoyed the take from somewhat of a biblical take for leadership. I did find myself running into a good thought and feeling like, this can be something. Then as I continued to read that great thought or nugget was never fully developed or basic leadership thoughts started shouting louder, which made the potential good thought feel disappointing.

Great book if starting out in leadership, if you have been there for a while, then it may make you go up and down in emotions as there really is some good thoughts here, just not developed as much as I was hoping for.

Overall though a good book which is why I gave 3 stars out of 5.
Profile Image for Katie Axelson.
Author 2 books4 followers
December 9, 2015
I loved this book! It brought so much clarity to my own leadership style--revealing shortcomings and providing ways to strengthen those weaknesses. It also helped me identify the leadership styles of those around me to better understand where they're coming from, why we often disagree, and how to complement them. If you're in leadership or ever desire to be, this book is a great resource.
Profile Image for Josh Samarco.
63 reviews
July 30, 2017
Loved it. Great perspective on heart, mind, soul and strength as it relates to leadership. Gave me great insights to continue in this journey of leading others by living an Upward, Inward, Outward life!
Profile Image for Chase Marcus.
5 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2024
I had to read this book for a Master’s class for my Strategic Leadership pathway. It was an easy and light read which was focused on the Shema (Greatest Commandment). The focus on heart, soul, mind, and strength was refreshing. There were parts that could have gone deeper and focused on specifics in greater detail. Overall though it was a good read and worthy of any leader’s time.
Profile Image for Jenny Crump.
23 reviews
February 23, 2024
I underestimated this book. Jenni Catron is an excellent communicator and leader. Her approach to leadership using the premise of Mark 12 guides you through four different dimensions of leadership that mirror the wholeness of our bodies.

As I set this book down, I have many dog-eared pages that I will come back to. Pages that have encouraged me and given me a-ha’s that I will come back to again, I’m sure. I’m walking away with the confidence to figure out what I want and to tackle it fully. Thanks, Jenni for your wisdom!
Profile Image for Beth.
Author 5 books7 followers
October 2, 2020
One quiz has reframed my understanding of the leadership differences in my husband and myself and I cannot thank Jenni Catron enough!  The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership presents 4 aspects of leadership heart, mind, strength and soul which ultimately work together to bring any leader from ordinary to extraordinary.

Catron's combination of secular and church leadership experiences along with her extensive network of leaders brings together clear explanations of not only why leaders should consider striving for extraordinary leadership, but how to begin the process of growing towards becoming a 4-dimensional leader.

Begin with the Extraordinary Leadership Assessment and I think you will find yourself as surprised as I was at how a few questions could pinpoint a leadership style.  If you are looking for more Propel Book Club is discussing this book!

Each section of leadership is explained thoroughly.  There are then steps to take towards further developing this aspect of leadership.  What I appreciated most though is that there are warnings surrounding each aspect as well.  Anyone can find it hard to self-assess.  Catron's inclusion of responses from people or thoughts one might have had to be on the lookout for are key to developing each dimension in a healthy way.

As a college ministry leader, I found this book to echo many of the leadership resources I've come across with developing millennial generation leaders.  I don't think that it's exclusive to that generation, but if you are at a loss as to how to effectively lead millennials, this is a great starting place!!
Profile Image for Tim Brady.
168 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2019
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and the beginning section. It was a fresh look at leadership using the greatest commandment to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and how we can use those four areas as a guide in our leadership. I know this is meant to be a Christian leadership book, but I thought the spiritual aspect of it ramped up significantly towards the end which I think makes it less approachable for many leaders. Overall a good read I would recommend.
Profile Image for Cj Miguel.
32 reviews
June 14, 2023
This was one of those books I just randomly grabbed in the library. Was expecting typical business literature fodder but there were nuggets of wisdom throughout the book.

Key takeaways:
-Heart: emotional aspect of relationships, empathy and connection, make others feel seen
-Soul: spiritual aspect, our personal relationship with God
-Mind: mental/managerial aspect, setting clear goals and making plans
-Strength: the final picture, where you are going, your story (inspiration) & how each person on the team contributes to the overall vision
Profile Image for James Keogh.
29 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2024
I found the book to be relevant from a biblical perspective. Just like God calls us to Love Him and Love Others, the approach of leading from your heart, soul, mind and strength offers a balanced approach in loving others from an organizational leadership perspective. We all have strengths, but even if we do not develop our weaknesses directly, we can surround ourselves with people who are strong, where we are weak. Similarly, the church body being consisted of many parts to make a better whole. I recommend this book to anyone interested in learning to be a better leader.
Profile Image for Bob Wolniak.
675 reviews11 followers
December 20, 2021
Helpful, practical biblical perspective on organizational leadership from the perspective of how we love God with whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. It has a personal assessment tool embedded as well. Leading with the heart was most refreshing since I find so many go-getter leadership books less than sensitive in their emphases about compassionate care and loving-kindness to teammates and colleagues.
Profile Image for Aleisha Hicks.
39 reviews
September 15, 2024
I audio booked the majority of this book. This is the first leadership book I've ever completed (a school required read I might add). It was challenging and encouraging all at the same time. I think every type of leader can benefit from this knowledge. My one negative critique is that it was a bit too repetitive. Overall, I think this is a great tool for people to self-reflect on their leadership styles, and learn ways to become more wholesome leaders.
Profile Image for Grace.
6 reviews
May 27, 2019
Well rounded leadership

This book is so great. I feel like I know Jenni from the way she writes and how similarly we seem to be wired. This book is so insightful and challenging in the greatest way! I’d highly recommend anyone who leads in any fashion to read this book and do the soul searching it encourages!
2 reviews
August 13, 2021
There is a lot in this book

I have read this with my wife, it is a great book to read as a couple or with a few dedicated people. Although it is not a hard book to read, there are a lot of takeaways.

The premise is strong and useful to tackle leadership from 4 clear angles heart, soul, strength and mind.
Profile Image for Jerod Starkey.
177 reviews
April 15, 2023
Perfect for someone stepping into a leadership role for the first time. From a distinctly Christian (but not overly scripture heavy), Catron breaks down how to lead with all that you are. Especially good for someone wanting to view leadership in a ministry capacity.
Profile Image for Carey.
200 reviews
May 22, 2017
Good look at balancing leadership from God's perspective. Makes me appreciative for what I have learned from the extraordinary leaders in my life, how I can be praying for them.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
23 reviews3 followers
July 7, 2018
Excellent ...easy to read, very practical and inspiring!
Profile Image for Angela Buckland.
18 reviews17 followers
November 27, 2021
Jenni is the real deal

Great, encouraging read on what it means to be an extraordinary leader, not a perfect one. Highly recommended for any leader in any stage of life.
Profile Image for Jim.
1,139 reviews
August 16, 2022
In my ever moving leadership journey I continue to read and work on growing and books such as this aid me along my path. Well written and easy to read for scholars and practitioners alike.
Profile Image for George P..
560 reviews63 followers
December 1, 2015
Jenni Catron, The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength (Nashville: Nelson Books, 2015). Hardcover | Kindle

Jesus was once asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28). His answer, known as the Great Commandment, was twofold: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (12:30, 31).

Jenni Catron uses the four dimensions of the Great Commandment to illuminate the nature of leadership and show how ordinary leaders can become extraordinary ones. “[W]hen I consider my life as a leader,” she writes, “it means leading with all of who I am for the benefit of God and others. Leadership requires all of me—my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength. To not give all of me would be to shortchange God and others of what God has given me.”

She uses the four dimensions to define extraordinary leadership:
Extraordinary leadership is found in a leader who has searched to discover his or her authentic self and from that place influences others to accomplish great dreams through intentional relationships (heart), spiritual awareness (soul), wise counsel (mind), and relentless vision (strength).

Catron recognizes that most leaders operate naturally and best in one dimension more than the others. For example, relationships come more naturally to them than spirituality, counsel, or vision. What comes best to them lends authenticity to their leadership. There is a dark side to this, however. Pushed to an extreme, relationally oriented leaders ignore problems or delay taking action when they must operate out of the other three dimensions, which do not come to them naturally. (The same might be said of leaders for whom spirituality, counsel, and vision come naturally and best.)

Extraordinary leaders strive to grow in all four dimensions of leadership. Leadership, Catron reminds us, is a matter of both nature and nurture, both inherent gift and developed talent. Her book outlines how leaders can grow in each of the four dimensions and thus exercise a more holistic form of leadership.

Jenni Catron is part of the central leadership team at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park, California. Given her professional expertise and the relative shortness of the book, The 4 Dimensions of Leadership is a good resource for leadership development in the local church, whether at the level of pastoral staff or lay leadership. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions, and the book includes a personal leadership assessment to help readers identify their most natural leadership dimension.

This article originally appeared at InfluenceMagazine.com.

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P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
266 reviews8 followers
December 3, 2015
We may as well say it straight out – Leadership is messy. And we all interact with leadership in some way.

Whether it is at work, church, with family, or relationships, our lives are impacted by leadership. If our desire is to lead well, we must continually develop for leadership will require everything of us.

In her book, The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength, Jenni Catron explores what it takes to become an extraordinary leader, one who will call others to also become leaders who accomplish extraordinary things as well. She explains:

“Great leadership is rare because it takes work. It takes intentionality. It requires sacrifice. It takes resolve. It involves heartaches, disappointments, and mistakes. It requires apologies. It entails a daily dose of humility. It means relentless growth and frequent failure.

Extraordinary leadership isn’t easy, but it is possible. “

She reveals that the secret to extraordinary leadership lies in this verse, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all you strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31, NLT)

If we are going to become extraordinary leaders, then we need to develop in these four areas: heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Jenni explains each area with a warmth and understanding which makes application of the principles shared seem effortless. She shares her experiences and quotes from others producing an invaluable resource for any leader. Her words ring true as she writes transparently of her own growth and desire to be all that God has called her to be.

The 4 Dimensions is not only a book for leaders to read, but for all of us who long to reach our full potential in and through Christ. I encourage you to take the leadership assessment which she offers.

“As a leader, you must commit to constant learning and be a fanatic about it.”

May we be committed to our growth because our God is committed to us.

All quotes taken from: Catron, J. (2015). The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson.

*I was given an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Kelly Hodgkins.
612 reviews35 followers
August 18, 2016
This book arrived magically, in the post, with no note…it was AWESOME! Book present, YAY! A little digging revealed it was a gift from my ministry to the leadership. I tucked into my new book with no expectations, not knowing the author or the title and discovered a gem. I started walking about reading pieces of it out to team members at work and some of it, I believe, we’ll incorporate into our ethos.

The command to love God and others isn’t often translated into liveable practical habits but this book outlines that in 4 dimensions. Key quotes for me were:
"When I consider my life as a leader, it means leading with all of who I am for the benefit of God and others"
"Extraordinary leadership is found in a leader who has searched to discover his or her authentic self and from that place influences others to accomplish great dreams through intentional relationships (heart), spiritual awareness (soul), wise counsel (mind), and relentless vision (strength)"
"The influence we earn as leaders is not for the purpose of wielding power. It’s for the purpose of loving others enough to help them develop and use their gifts."

That last one struck a real cord for me, that’s my dream for everyone. Every one of us has a leadership role at home, work, church and with friends, what a fantastic legacy to leave: loving others and helping others develop!

"Leaders must be encouragers. Remember that we as leaders must be dealers in hope."
"When compassion drives us, it makes way for humility to lead us."

Jenni’s insight into spiritual leadership was wonderful and I’ll be drawing on that chapter going forward!

"Our actions should unite us with God when we are involved in our daily activity, just as prayer unites us with Him in our quiet time."

Her practical application in the management section is eloquent and I look forward to living it out. All in all a great book!
Profile Image for Jalynn Patterson.
2,216 reviews38 followers
January 30, 2016
About the Book:
You have the capacity to become an extraordinary leader—if you are willing to embrace a deeper definition of leadership and take action to apply it.


In The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership, Jenni Catron, executive church leader and author of Clout, reveals the secrets to standout leadership found in the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”


Weaving a winsome narrative filled with inspiring real-life stories, hard-won wisdom, and practical applications, Catron unpacks four essential aspects of growing more influential: your heart for relational leadership, your soul for spiritual leadership, your mind for managerial leadership, and your strength for visionary leadership.


Leadership isn’t easy, but it is possible to move from ordinary to extraordinary. Jenni Catron shows the way.

My Review:
Authenticity is a HUGE factor in what others will see in you and around you. I know when my husband and I started on this journey in ministering to others one thing that we both agreed on was transparency. We wanted to be completely transparent with others. Sometimes we are probably overabundant in this area and I think that can make those around us very uncomfortable. But we still feel it is very important.

The author stresses 4 very important things hat are the foundation of any great or her words "extraordinary" leader. The main thing that I see throughout the book is to ALWAYS give God the glory because after all, that is why we are in the position(s) that we are in in the first place. A great read to help you polish some of your skills.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
Profile Image for Kristin.
527 reviews20 followers
January 8, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first leadership book I have ever read, and I am so glad I did. As a relatively new leader at work, I am truly struggling. Not with the day to day stuff, but with the people. I am not good with people, I never have been, which is why I am in the area I am in, no patient interaction, don't have to deal with a lot of people, just me and the tubes of blood. As a co-worker, I made very superficial relationships with my coworkers. I was in there to do a job and go home. But now as a leader, I need to foster a sense of dependability and trust that the superficial relationships aren't doing. And I have learned that no matter how hard I work at the day to day stuff, that isn't fostering the trust and respect I need from my team.

Reading this book showed me where I am lacking and how to work on those areas. There are four parts to leadership the author speaks about: heart, soul, strength and mind. In every one, she explains what it consists of, how to strengthen it, how it looks if you are lacking in the specific area, and how it looks if you are too strong in it. Yes, too much can be a bad thing in this case. 

I have been able to read this book and start putting the advice into action. That in itself is what makes it such a great book.
Profile Image for Matt B..
56 reviews8 followers
March 3, 2016
I enjoyed the premise of Jenni Catron's book, that being the importance of a "wholistic" approach to leadership that includes all four parts our person, the heart, soul, mind and strength. While it is certainly a leadership styled book, it is not written in a prescriptive way. Jenni offers something more akin to a diagnostic tool to help you determine what areas you need to work on as a leader, so that you can lead more effectively in whatever you do.

It's a great book, a good read, and well worth your time and energy. Go check it out!

This book was provided by http://www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Stephanie Haynes.
Author 6 books8 followers
January 11, 2016
Jenni Catron's latest book on leadership is excellent. I appreciate how she breaks down the actions of leadership to focus on the four different dimensions of Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind. I enjoyed her authentic and transparent voice and use of personal stories of not only her success but her leadership challenges as well. A good read for anyone looking to develop their leadership skills.
Profile Image for Jennifer Johnston.
205 reviews
January 10, 2016
Not only does the content contain great philosophies and ideas, there are exercises/questions at the end of each chapter to guide you to think about practical ways to apply the ideas right away. She also references other tools and books which I look forward to reviewing to continue my growth.

This was a really good leadership book.. very timely for me and I am grateful!
Profile Image for Cassandra.
1,345 reviews
December 23, 2015
I received a complimentary copy.

This is a great book not only to help you be an excellent leader but to also remind you of who is leading above all. If you have a spiritual side and want to get closer with this topic, this is sure to help.
2 reviews
December 27, 2015
Jenni Catron shares practical insight regarding styles of leadership . I was so encouraged, inspired and I was also able to identify my weak spots and come up with practical ways to grow stronger in those areas. Absolutely a must read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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