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The Leadership Lessons of Jesus: A Timeless Model for Today's Leaders
Jesus had no paid staff or sales and marketing department behind him, yet he inspired others to carry His message around the world. Simply put, he was the greatest, most inspiring leader in history.
Bob Briner (1935-1999) was an Emmy Award-winning television producer and widely respected businessman. He authored eight books including the classic Roaring Lambs. With musician Michael W. Smith, he cohosted the nationally syndicated radio show of the same name.
Ray Pritchard is president of Keep Believing Ministries that includes a national preaching ministry, outreach to China, and other goodwill efforts. He and his wife have three sons and live in Tupelo, Mississippi.
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First published September 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 3, 2019
The title of the book calls the reader to examine the leadership of the greatest leader in the history. The authors use Gospel of Mark as the source for the lessons they provide in the book.
Sadly the book fails to deliver much of what it tries to. The reason for this is the poor hermeneutics of the authors, they fall in the pit of eisegesis as they draw to leadership lessons from simple verses without much concern on the wider context of these verses. Basically this leads them describing modern leadership principles and view points and then saying that these can bee seen in the verses they have selected.
This does not necessarily happen in all chapters, few chapters actually use better way of doing hermeneutics and examine the practices Jesus and then do an application to a life of a leader.
Sadly the book fails to deliver much of what it tries to. The reason for this is the poor hermeneutics of the authors, they fall in the pit of eisegesis as they draw to leadership lessons from simple verses without much concern on the wider context of these verses. Basically this leads them describing modern leadership principles and view points and then saying that these can bee seen in the verses they have selected.
This does not necessarily happen in all chapters, few chapters actually use better way of doing hermeneutics and examine the practices Jesus and then do an application to a life of a leader.
June 7, 2020
The 5 stars are given for these reasons: first, these lessons come from the life of the one and only Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ - GOAT in every facet of the meaning. Second, because they are lessons that extend to every part of man - body, soul and spirit. Third, because they are comprehensive in that they give help and insight into the manifild nature of living, ie health, relationship, money, worship, trust, truth etc.
August 24, 2024
In this book, written from the perspective of Bob Briner, the Gospel of Mark is used to teach the leadership lessons of Jesus – the greatest leader history has known - in seventy-five short chapters. The authors tell us that human leaders come and go, but the legacy of Jesus has grown greater with the passing of each century. They believe the leadership principles Jesus embodied are applicable in any area, whether an office, a school, a small business, a multinational corporation, or a volunteer organization, and I agree with that.
This is an enjoyable book on the leadership of Jesus, though certainly not a deep dive. It could be read as a normal book, or devotionally, where you read one of the short chapters each day.
Here are twenty-five of my favorite quotes from the book:
• God has specific plans for each one of us, and we must do our best to determine what they are and submit to them.
• Leaders are always teachers. To be an effective long-range leader, you must teach with authority. You must be prepared. You must know what you are talking about.
• A leader's words, as vitally important as they are, will only go so far and impact so many unless they truly represent the reality in his or her life.
• A leader is disciplined. If you expect discipline among your followers and lack it in your own life, your followers will first lose respect for you and then grow to resent you.
• Prayer and solitude do not cut into a leader's time or lessen his or her effectiveness; rather, they add to and multiply that effectiveness.
• A good manager makes the existing system work to his or her advantage; a good leader questions the system, making the changes necessary for improvement.
• Unity is essential. Don't be afraid to eliminate the source of disunity from your enterprise. It's your responsibility as a leader.
• Leaders are called to faithfulness more than they are called to success.
• Leaders need to be aware of the effect they have on those they lead.
• Nothing will raise a leader in the eyes of his followers more than when he or she effectively handles a crisis.
• Great leadership is responsive leadership acting on quality information.
• The ideal leader combines vision with the kind of common sense that makes his vision a reality.
• The best leaders are the most thankful people on earth because they realize that everything they have is a gift from God.
• An effective leader understands his mission, is able to articulate it, and keeps both himself and his followers from getting diverted.
• A wise leader will resist the impulse to do things himself in favor of allowing his followers to learn and grow by doing it.
• It is important for leaders to understand that it is not only immediate results which count but also the long-range impact the results will have.
• A quality leader often leads his troops into battle. He doesn't always just send them.
• Wise leaders understand that in every human endeavor of any scope or magnitude, there will be tough times. Difficulties will occur.
• A leader cannot—and should not—tolerate disloyalty.
• Maintaining focus is one of the most important ongoing responsibilities of leadership.
• Nothing harms an enterprise and those involved in it more than the unfaithfulness of a leader.
• Every leader needs to be able to make the enterprise's purpose known and meaningful.
• True leadership is not a matter of having a title, a position, or an overwhelming personality. Leadership is first and foremost a matter of the heart.
• Leaders are the people who show the way because they have a clear sense of where they're going.
• True leaders take time for people.
This is an enjoyable book on the leadership of Jesus, though certainly not a deep dive. It could be read as a normal book, or devotionally, where you read one of the short chapters each day.
Here are twenty-five of my favorite quotes from the book:
• God has specific plans for each one of us, and we must do our best to determine what they are and submit to them.
• Leaders are always teachers. To be an effective long-range leader, you must teach with authority. You must be prepared. You must know what you are talking about.
• A leader's words, as vitally important as they are, will only go so far and impact so many unless they truly represent the reality in his or her life.
• A leader is disciplined. If you expect discipline among your followers and lack it in your own life, your followers will first lose respect for you and then grow to resent you.
• Prayer and solitude do not cut into a leader's time or lessen his or her effectiveness; rather, they add to and multiply that effectiveness.
• A good manager makes the existing system work to his or her advantage; a good leader questions the system, making the changes necessary for improvement.
• Unity is essential. Don't be afraid to eliminate the source of disunity from your enterprise. It's your responsibility as a leader.
• Leaders are called to faithfulness more than they are called to success.
• Leaders need to be aware of the effect they have on those they lead.
• Nothing will raise a leader in the eyes of his followers more than when he or she effectively handles a crisis.
• Great leadership is responsive leadership acting on quality information.
• The ideal leader combines vision with the kind of common sense that makes his vision a reality.
• The best leaders are the most thankful people on earth because they realize that everything they have is a gift from God.
• An effective leader understands his mission, is able to articulate it, and keeps both himself and his followers from getting diverted.
• A wise leader will resist the impulse to do things himself in favor of allowing his followers to learn and grow by doing it.
• It is important for leaders to understand that it is not only immediate results which count but also the long-range impact the results will have.
• A quality leader often leads his troops into battle. He doesn't always just send them.
• Wise leaders understand that in every human endeavor of any scope or magnitude, there will be tough times. Difficulties will occur.
• A leader cannot—and should not—tolerate disloyalty.
• Maintaining focus is one of the most important ongoing responsibilities of leadership.
• Nothing harms an enterprise and those involved in it more than the unfaithfulness of a leader.
• Every leader needs to be able to make the enterprise's purpose known and meaningful.
• True leadership is not a matter of having a title, a position, or an overwhelming personality. Leadership is first and foremost a matter of the heart.
• Leaders are the people who show the way because they have a clear sense of where they're going.
• True leaders take time for people.
October 5, 2021
Excellent perspective by the author. Being a New Christian just short of 2 years, I am awed by the wisdom and practices of the bible, having the opportunity to read cover to cover once. However, the challenges I faced were reconciling the parables and lessons from the bible to current day management and personal life encounters. This book serves as that bridge.
The author captivated my attention with the introductory statement of “who is the best marketer or leader of all times, with just four years of public ministry, a few hundred followers and an event that occured 2,000 years ago. Fast forward today, to have the influences over billions of followers and growing in numbers each day.
Some of my key take away on leadership are
1) Identify the right people, and enrol them like how Jesus did in recruiting his disciples
2) Be good at telling parables or storytelling; it captivates and leaves a lasting impression
3) Humility and silence brings you further than winning and impulsiveness
4) Leading by example is the best form of leadership
5) Great leaders are great servants
The author captivated my attention with the introductory statement of “who is the best marketer or leader of all times, with just four years of public ministry, a few hundred followers and an event that occured 2,000 years ago. Fast forward today, to have the influences over billions of followers and growing in numbers each day.
Some of my key take away on leadership are
1) Identify the right people, and enrol them like how Jesus did in recruiting his disciples
2) Be good at telling parables or storytelling; it captivates and leaves a lasting impression
3) Humility and silence brings you further than winning and impulsiveness
4) Leading by example is the best form of leadership
5) Great leaders are great servants
June 5, 2025
Bob Briner was a sports executive who was also an evangelical Christian. In this book, he uses a mixture of verses from Mark and personal anecdotes to bring out lessons that leaders ought to learn before they attempt to lead.
The book feels like a devotional, that is to say, each point is taken briefly, as is the anecdote and then Briner flies on to the next point. A few of the verses felt stretched a bit, to attempt to convey the point that Briner was trying to make. I don't think any of the points are bad -- that is, I think it is reasonable for leaders to do them, even if the specific verse from Mark doesn't really say that Jesus did this thing.
The book flies by and is an easy read. It also wasn't terribly deep and there wasn't anything mentioned that I haven't thought of before. I'm unlikely to read it again.
The book feels like a devotional, that is to say, each point is taken briefly, as is the anecdote and then Briner flies on to the next point. A few of the verses felt stretched a bit, to attempt to convey the point that Briner was trying to make. I don't think any of the points are bad -- that is, I think it is reasonable for leaders to do them, even if the specific verse from Mark doesn't really say that Jesus did this thing.
The book flies by and is an easy read. It also wasn't terribly deep and there wasn't anything mentioned that I haven't thought of before. I'm unlikely to read it again.
April 2, 2018
This is a thought-provoking book on the perspective of Leading as Jesus did.
As a recently minted manager, I found it insightful, this will be read time and time again over the years.
A must-have for any new managers.
Travis
As a recently minted manager, I found it insightful, this will be read time and time again over the years.
A must-have for any new managers.
Travis
March 8, 2020
Great little book on leadership. Super easy read. Each chapter is only a couple of pages long. The book derived the leadership lessons of Christ from the book of Mark. This little book would be a great travel companion if you are flying or driving.
September 11, 2017
It uses the book of MARK, and there are some things to apply, 2 for each week
February 2, 2019
Solid teaching on leadership. No, exegesis, the author's took a verse from Mark's Gospel to start each chapter, then shared a story or leadership lesson that went along with the verse
December 25, 2020
Made no impression on me.
May 26, 2009
"Who is the greatest leader in history? Of all the names that might be given in response to that question, one name stands above all the rest: Jesus Christ."
- from the introduction of "The Leadership Lessons of Jesus: A Timeless Model for Today's Leaders" by Bob Briner and Ray Pritchard.
From the Publisher:
This newly redesigned edition of The Leadership Lessons of Jesus is expanding to include more than seventy unique easy-length readings that explore and adapt the individual techniques that made Christ’s leadership so powerful.
Timeless, relevant, and practical applications of the ministry of Jesus Christ taken from Gospel of Mark presented in 75 short but insightful chapters focusing on key areas all leaders should aquaint themselves.
A sampling of the lessons include instruction to leaders on: The Call, Followers, Authority, Discipline, Teams, Plans, Attacks, Unity, Faithfulness, Vision, the Unexpected, Rebukes, Strategies, Loyalty, Gratitude, Public Relations, Flattery, Commitment and Management. All areas are addressed with frankness and practicality.
This is a handbook for all those in leadership positions.
- from the introduction of "The Leadership Lessons of Jesus: A Timeless Model for Today's Leaders" by Bob Briner and Ray Pritchard.
From the Publisher:
This newly redesigned edition of The Leadership Lessons of Jesus is expanding to include more than seventy unique easy-length readings that explore and adapt the individual techniques that made Christ’s leadership so powerful.
Timeless, relevant, and practical applications of the ministry of Jesus Christ taken from Gospel of Mark presented in 75 short but insightful chapters focusing on key areas all leaders should aquaint themselves.
A sampling of the lessons include instruction to leaders on: The Call, Followers, Authority, Discipline, Teams, Plans, Attacks, Unity, Faithfulness, Vision, the Unexpected, Rebukes, Strategies, Loyalty, Gratitude, Public Relations, Flattery, Commitment and Management. All areas are addressed with frankness and practicality.
This is a handbook for all those in leadership positions.
October 18, 2009
This is a short book in that it is 150 small pages of content and it could be read in only a few sittings, however, I think that the value of the book would be lost.
Jesus was a great leader and that can be seen in the incredible way He changed the world and those around Him. He established the church which has run for around 2,000 years and it has grown an incredible amount in that time. Can we glean insights that we can use on a regular basis to model His leadership style, to the best of our abilities, and make a difference to those people around us and the organizations we are part of?
Through the 52 chapters in this book, you will see great thoughts, activities and principles of leadership as demonstrated throughout the Bible as Jesus ran his ministry. Take the time to digest the material and work on applying it over the course of a year maybe (which woud be 1 chapter a week...looking to work on that application/activity that week) and see if you are not truly changed as a leader.
Jesus was a great leader and that can be seen in the incredible way He changed the world and those around Him. He established the church which has run for around 2,000 years and it has grown an incredible amount in that time. Can we glean insights that we can use on a regular basis to model His leadership style, to the best of our abilities, and make a difference to those people around us and the organizations we are part of?
Through the 52 chapters in this book, you will see great thoughts, activities and principles of leadership as demonstrated throughout the Bible as Jesus ran his ministry. Take the time to digest the material and work on applying it over the course of a year maybe (which woud be 1 chapter a week...looking to work on that application/activity that week) and see if you are not truly changed as a leader.
August 27, 2017
1 star [Leadership]
This sad book contains only a few paragraphs of interesting material. Otherwise, it relays generic information at around a 6th-grade reading level, far within the realm of common sense, and with an abundance of dull adjectives like "great" and "best." Jesus is an intimate, innovative, and superlative leader. It would be fair to say that His nature was inestimably understated by these authors.
One more note of a comparative nature: leadership books tend to be written within
1) the Business genre, and are often part and parcel of that mediocre, pulp genre;
2) the military viewpoint, and tend to be a few grades above the Business-style books in quality; and
3) the Christian viewpoint, which also tend to be mediocre.
This book is of the third category, but it does not rise even to the standard mediocrity.
I cannot fathom how others have given this book 5 stars. Perhaps they have not read broadly, or have not read quality books in the genres of Leadership or Christian Praxis.
This sad book contains only a few paragraphs of interesting material. Otherwise, it relays generic information at around a 6th-grade reading level, far within the realm of common sense, and with an abundance of dull adjectives like "great" and "best." Jesus is an intimate, innovative, and superlative leader. It would be fair to say that His nature was inestimably understated by these authors.
One more note of a comparative nature: leadership books tend to be written within
1) the Business genre, and are often part and parcel of that mediocre, pulp genre;
2) the military viewpoint, and tend to be a few grades above the Business-style books in quality; and
3) the Christian viewpoint, which also tend to be mediocre.
This book is of the third category, but it does not rise even to the standard mediocrity.
I cannot fathom how others have given this book 5 stars. Perhaps they have not read broadly, or have not read quality books in the genres of Leadership or Christian Praxis.
December 19, 2015
It is rare that I review an older book, but this one is so good I wanted to bring attention to this timeless book on leadership. The Leadership Lessons Of Jesus is easy to read—I read the whole book on 4th of July. But it is also a book to savor and digest all the wisdom found in the 240 pages. I found myself highlighting many passages throughout the book. You can see some of the quotes here.
Bob Briner and Ray Pritchard bring a refreshing look at how the greatest leader in the world has provided the blueprint to become a successful leader. Each chapter is short and easy to read for those who are on the run. Christians know that Jesus led people, but it is not until readers dig into the book of Mark with Briner and Pritchard that you can discover true timeless leadership skills found in the life Jesus lived here on earth.
If you only read one book on leadership, may I suggest The Leadership of Jesus. It is a timeless classic.
Bob Briner and Ray Pritchard bring a refreshing look at how the greatest leader in the world has provided the blueprint to become a successful leader. Each chapter is short and easy to read for those who are on the run. Christians know that Jesus led people, but it is not until readers dig into the book of Mark with Briner and Pritchard that you can discover true timeless leadership skills found in the life Jesus lived here on earth.
If you only read one book on leadership, may I suggest The Leadership of Jesus. It is a timeless classic.
October 11, 2008
Jesus is the best example of leadership that transforms a whole world. His leadership is timeless in that not only did he empower those in his day, but in the genrations that have followed since and to come. Simple leadership skills that can easily be applied. Digestible small steps that can transform the way I lead. Leadership is inspiring others to do more than they thought they were capable of to fulfil a purpose that is greater than yourself.
March 31, 2013
Great for helping us remember that the mission Jesus came to earth with of deriving God's good new was passed down to 12 He mentored anyhow important it is to pass these down for the next generation as well.
October 23, 2014
absolutely amazing...got the book in the middle of a difficult decision regarding a transition...it's now part of my "WWJD-about-this-situation" process relative to trying to revamp my leadership and management style... quick chapters with immediate application...loved it
February 10, 2017
I read this book every year because it is so powerful. In here we are not only presented Jesus as the best leader of all of time and space but also how we can emulate him. If I can summarise its message : leadership is about people!
March 28, 2009
So far I like this book. Jesus clearly had a huge impact on the world. The short (2-3 pages) chapters make this an easy and quick read.
Currently reading
April 21, 2010love this book! ;-)
May 17, 2010
Awesome!! Everyone who leads in any capacity should read this to be reminded of the character traits of a real leader.
September 4, 2019
The authors takes practical aspects from the gospels and applies them to everyday situations. This is a good one a day book to use as a daily devotion I would recommend this for any leader.
April 12, 2013
Good Book!! I bought when I got promoted into a leadership position in guards.. I actually finished it... I usually get halfway through a book and never finish so that should say something in itself.
September 16, 2013
A very well written book that details leadership lessons from the life and teachings of Jesus. I recommend it to anyone in a leadership position.
September 12, 2016
Somewhat obvious.
Read
January 2, 2015This book is a great read - Would be very good for any church group lesson. I believe the author wrote a study guide that parallels the book.
January 5, 2017
Will use in the future for Bible Studies and lectures on leadership. True life lessons.
March 3, 2015
Inspiring!
August 28, 2017
This book is awesome. The principles of leadership from the scripture are life changing and empowering. I recommend this book to all leaders period. It will help you to value your role as a leader in any form.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews