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Rare Leadership in the Workplace: Four Habits that Improve Focus, Engagement, and Productivity
"Combining theology, cutting-edge brain science, and decades of counseling and consulting experience, Rare Leadership shows you how to take your leadership and team to the next level. Whether you are burnt out or just looking to improve, it will revive your leadership and equip you to lead healthy, happy, and effective teams"--
143 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2021
58 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Jim Wilder
19 books67 followersThis author is also published under the pen name E. James Wilder.
Jim Wilder (PhD, Clinical Psychology, and M.A. Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary) has been training leaders and counselors for over 27 years on five continents. He is the author of nine books with a strong focus on maturing and relationship skills for leaders. His coauthored book Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You has sold over 100,000 copies in eleven languages. Wilder has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership training called THRIVE. He is currently executive director of Shepherd's House Inc., a nonprofit working at the intersection of brain science and theology, and founder of Life Model Works that is building contagiously healthy Christian communities through equipping existing networks with the skills to thrive. Dr. Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary and elsewhere.
Jim Wilder (PhD, Clinical Psychology, and M.A. Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary) has been training leaders and counselors for over 27 years on five continents. He is the author of nine books with a strong focus on maturing and relationship skills for leaders. His coauthored book Living From the Heart Jesus Gave You has sold over 100,000 copies in eleven languages. Wilder has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership training called THRIVE. He is currently executive director of Shepherd's House Inc., a nonprofit working at the intersection of brain science and theology, and founder of Life Model Works that is building contagiously healthy Christian communities through equipping existing networks with the skills to thrive. Dr. Wilder has extensive clinical counseling experience and has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, Point Loma University, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 17, 2025
This book was fun for me. Given to me by a client, an owner of a medium sized manufacturing company. I think the owner was very excited to share its the books lessons on maturity. I found myself invested and energized by its simple messaging surrounding confronting fear, shame, and taking ownership of personal weaknesses in order to mature.
June 28, 2025
Rare Leadership in the Workplace brings together neuroscience, emotional maturity, and practical leadership insights to offer a guide aimed at creating healthier leaders and more effective teams. Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder present a compelling case for prioritizing emotional intelligence and relational connection as key ingredients to building sustainable and productive workplace cultures.
The book’s strength lies in its core concepts—particularly the emphasis on leading from a secure identity, choosing response over reaction, and nurturing joy-filled teams. These principles are timely and valuable, especially in an era of workplace burnout and disconnection. The case studies and anecdotes included throughout the book help bring the theory to life, making the message accessible to a broad range of readers—from seasoned managers to emerging team leads.
That said, the delivery does leave something to be desired. The writing style can be clunky at times, and the repeated use of awkward acronyms or initialisms may strike some readers as overly gimmicky. The prose doesn’t always rise to match the value of the content, making it a book that's more insightful than enjoyable. Despite that, the ideas themselves are strong enough to make it a worthwhile read.
Rare Leadership in the Workplace is best suited for readers looking to lead with greater authenticity and emotional awareness. It offers a fresh lens through which to view leadership—one rooted in brain science and relational health rather than performance metrics alone. While the execution may falter in places, the message endures.
Recommended for leaders at any level who are open to introspection, relational development, and a shift away from reactive, burnout-prone leadership styles. Just don’t expect literary finesse—come for the concepts, stay for the application.
The book’s strength lies in its core concepts—particularly the emphasis on leading from a secure identity, choosing response over reaction, and nurturing joy-filled teams. These principles are timely and valuable, especially in an era of workplace burnout and disconnection. The case studies and anecdotes included throughout the book help bring the theory to life, making the message accessible to a broad range of readers—from seasoned managers to emerging team leads.
That said, the delivery does leave something to be desired. The writing style can be clunky at times, and the repeated use of awkward acronyms or initialisms may strike some readers as overly gimmicky. The prose doesn’t always rise to match the value of the content, making it a book that's more insightful than enjoyable. Despite that, the ideas themselves are strong enough to make it a worthwhile read.
Rare Leadership in the Workplace is best suited for readers looking to lead with greater authenticity and emotional awareness. It offers a fresh lens through which to view leadership—one rooted in brain science and relational health rather than performance metrics alone. While the execution may falter in places, the message endures.
Recommended for leaders at any level who are open to introspection, relational development, and a shift away from reactive, burnout-prone leadership styles. Just don’t expect literary finesse—come for the concepts, stay for the application.
January 5, 2023
This small book is a quick read but packs a punch. I never thought of maturity as a leadership deminision. "The best leaders are not just visionaries, they are mature people." It sounds intuitive but the book goes into detail in defining levels of maturity and offers ways to measure and improve it. Good book.
June 2, 2021
Quick and easy ready. Lots of information to digest and really think about as your approach leadership.
January 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It is a must read for anyone wanting to grow in their leadership.
May 16, 2023
Read half. Need to finish. Great book and advice
August 15, 2024
great leadership read
This read is great for any leader to read and reiterates the positivity that is needed to be a great leader even through the storms
This read is great for any leader to read and reiterates the positivity that is needed to be a great leader even through the storms
December 9, 2024
Best leadership book I have read so far.
November 29, 2025
Good short book on the importance of emotional maturity in leadership, for the good of the leader and those he/she leads.
December 29, 2025
Excellent guide to healthy leadership that pertains to all types of relationships.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews