The Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinary Relationships Develop Extraordinary Character and Influence

by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, Ken McElrath

A Leadership Network Publication

Become the leader people are proud to follow by opening yourself tothe influences that develop Anduring relationships withfriAnds, family, and God.Solidly based on Christian values, thispractical, visionary, and hope-filled book guides readers through astep-by-step process for developing both personal character and thenetwork of important relationships that enable character to winout, even in the face of setbacks, adversity, and temptations totake short cuts. Leadership is about character, the authors assert,and character weaves values like integrity, honesty, and selflessservice into the fabric of our lives, organizations, andcultures.

The Ascent of a Leader is written for ordinary people-mothers,husbands, bosses, secretaries, pastors, teachers, and students-whowant to develop extraordinary character, find and follow God's planfor their lives, and lead others where they need to go. We all haveinnate leadership potential. To maximize it, we must do much morethan develop performance-based skills, the authors assert. We mustconsciously choose who and what we allow to influence us, find anddevelop our humility, and build Anduring relationships withcolleagues, family, friAnds, and God. They offer engaging real-lifeexamples to show how we can grow into our true potential as leadersand inspire us to "make a difference in the 21st century-in ourfamilies, our communities, our companies, our government, and evenour world."

With a foreword by Ken Blanchard.

Genres: Leadership, Christian, Education, Nonfiction, Self Help, Faith

205 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 1999

Reviews

[Caroline Koscak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really strong leadership book focusing on character more than competence. Dives into the importance of grace, community, TRUST, integrity, and vulnerability. Gives really great perspective and pretty good advice on growing in the ways that really matter.

[David Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to note this book was written I. 1998. Found it very timely to the leadership challenges and issue of the day. Particularly appreciated how character (interpersonal development) and capacity (career and experience) were separated to help better understand the conflicts and challenges leaders face. And, where they are resolved to define the type of leader we are; or, influence the kind of leader one desires to be.

[Matthew Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read with practical advice and steps for implementation.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Bruce McNicol at a nonprofit conference as I was about to go through a traumatic transition within the organization I'd founded. I had hope after meeting Bruce that my Board of Directors might be open to working with an experienced professional whose area of expertise was restoring trust between leaders and their Boards. It turns out they were not, and this book explained why: character.

You may have heard the phrase "culture eats strategy for breakfast." Well, so does character.

Without climbing the character ladder and building communities of trust, missions and organizations will suffer, or fail.

This book is an excellent guide for anyone navigating the complexities of leadership, organizational development, professional relationships, family life, or life itself at any stage and in any role.

Influence is not always about fame, grandiosity, or largesse. It is possible in the smallest of environments, but only with the cultivation of character.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. This book, along with Henry Blackeby's book, Spiritual Leadership, are the two best I've read in my 20+ years of serving on a church staff! Every pastor should read this!! The timeless concepts and principles it contains, however, are not limited to church leadership. They pertain to leadership in all walks and professions of life. This is the third time I've read it over the years and I am just as impressed and impacted by it today as I was when I first read it 15 years ago!

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

simple and straighforward book comparing and then expanding on typical leadership development (discover what I can do, develop my capacities, acquire title or position, attain indiv. potential) to the character and capacity ladders (trust God and others with me, discover what I can do with God and others, choose vulnerability, develop my true capacities in team, align w/ truth, acquire positions that match who I am, pay the price, attain God-designed potential, discover my destiny)

[Gabrielle Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely read. Each of us, at some point, will find ourselves faced with the task of deciding our deeper pursuits in life. Will we continue to walk through doors based on giftedness and skill? Will we choose to suffer for the cause we've committed our life to? This book presents a helpful framework to test your motives against.

[gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some very practical steps for becoming a leader through building an environment of grace and relationships of grace. The kind of advice the authors gave can be applied to everyday life long term.

[Wilson Prosdocimo · Rating 3 out of 5]

interessante, mas pouco denso.

[Kevin Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great leadership read!

Trust + Humility + Grace = leaders others want to follow. Highly recommended read for those with a heart for Jesus-centered Servant leadership.

[Cassidy Perry]

Good book. Just not in that small group anymore and needed a mental break from that environment. DNF for now

[Melissa Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of good nuggets but not the best personal development I’ve ever read.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

best leadership book I've read in years!

[Steve Penner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never been much on leadership books. So the three-star rating is based mostly on a lack of anything to compare it to. The book deals primarily with the issues of character formation in developing leadership. The running illustration and contract is between "the capacity ladder" and "the character ladder." The former is apparently the one most leadership books focus on and the latter the one most ignored. I enjoyed the descriptions of these ladders, their rails and rungs and the stories told about those climbing their way to. . . I guess that becomes the point. If power, glory and wealth are the goal then the capacity can get you far. The authors would like you to believe that destiny and influence should be the primary goals and impacts of leadership. And only the character ladder can take you to that those ends. Still trying to decide if this is the book for my leaders. Will have to ruminate.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. The two ladders - competence and character - is an interesting way of describing what I would call flourishing/visible-success and faithfulness/spiritual-success. The thesis is basically that we ought to prioritize "climbing the ladder" of character (or, as I would prefer, walking in the way of faithfulness) over climbing the ladder of competence (aiming at ensuring our success & wellbeing). The discrete "rungs" as stages are both helpful - in describing typical experiences and needed aspects of spiritual-formation - and unhelpful (too artificial?). But overall I enjoyed this. I'd call it a business-y spin on a biblical theme of servant leadership.

[Ashley Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text quote, "This book is for those who want their influence to make a positive difference, in whatever sphere of influence God has granted them. It is for those who wish to explore a better course - one that addresses their inner longings for purpose and meaning. And it is for those who have begun to feel a certain futility in climbing the ladder they have chosen." (Thrall, et al, pg. 11).

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

First read for grad school.

It was fine. I was hoping for more concrete ideas. Maybe because it was co-written by three people, it was more challenging to follow. I like the focus on building your character in phases as the foundation to being a true leader.

[Karl Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ascent of a Leader is an important book that provides an excellent overview of how the character and capacity of a leader work together. We often focus on capacity - but character is just as important, or even more more important. Read this book.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that focuses on building character as a more stable base for leadership than just performance. We need leaders of character and I like the way this book encourages people to grow personally.

[Andrew Canavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ok way of understanding leadership with an emphasis on what builds good character. It could have been fleshed out a little better. As it is, the ideas the authors suggest as paradigm shifts are a little vague.

[Jhcuatro · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good read. Tough, meaty content that should only be attempted by those mature enough to want to continue to grow.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great reminder of what leadership is supposed to be about.

[Kristin]

Read by a student. We seem to be lacking books that are focused on building values. Maybe this will be a valuable addition to Kouzes and Posner's Credibility.