HIT THE GROUND KNEELING

by Stephen Cottrell

'We're looking for someone who can hit the ground running'. How many times have you heard this? Or maybe you've said it yourself? 'But,' as Stephen Cottrell says, 'when someone hits the ground running, there is no guarantee that they are going in the right direction'. "Hit the Ground Kneeling" takes common statements about leadership - statements that we often take for granted - and questions them in the light of Christian faith and Christian perspectives on leadership. Ideal for church leaders, this is a timely antidote to the glut of selfhelp, quick-fix management books!

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

The Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell is Church of England Bishop of Chelmsford, and a prolific and much-loved author. He is a co-creator of the Emmaus course and a co-author of the Pilgrim course.

Reviews

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever had a watch that is 2 minutes late? Because that's how I felt while reading this book.
He overstretched himself massively by trying to write a book on leadership *both* for the church and the secular audience. Or, to put it more succinctly - he failed.
But in each chapter he has some interesting things to say nevertheless, and b/c it made me think a lot, this is a keeper (and because it's brief enough), even when I'm quite proactive in reducing the size of my library instead of letting it grow.
For the record: I regard the author to be disqualified on biblical grounds for leadership position in the church.

[Catharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really like Stephen Cottrell's work--his books and his lectures both. I have used his material in congregational study groups in very different sorts of parishes with excellent results. This is a good book, and probably a great book for some people. It just so happens that I probably need the opposite sort of self-improvement advice, so I didn't finish it.

[Marie Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an insightful read in to a God centred leadership style. Everything comes from a place of contemplation, do not be dragged in to the drama that surrounds you, instead bring those around you in to a place of stillness, a place where Gods shalom is present.

[Paul Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple little book but contains a few useful ideas and is not at all preachy. Unlikely that non-Christians or atheists will ever pick it up; they should as they might learn something and it may change their pre-conceived ideas about one of the most senior clerics.

[Ross Harte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpfully short book, which distils leadership wisdom that I've heard in other places - wisdom I was glad to hear again.

[Amanda Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good little book, but due to being aimed at Christian and not, I wanted more from it.

[debbie-anne Hogarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for those in leadership.

[Nickki · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, well written, interesting and very relevant. I think it is an excellent book on leadership. I will take so much from it.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for church leaders. Reframes typical advice (be thick-skinned, don't reinvent the wheel) to help leaders see how to challenge these concepts to be more effective leaders. Cottrell's book will help reorient your processes to be grounded in contemplative creativity and engaged empathy.

[Poppy Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book several times before and always leading up to big change. This time I finished it the night before my installation in my new church. As you might have guessed, I love it! A great book on leadership and how to begin in a manner of contemplation rather than running!