Leading from the Inside Out: The Art of Self-Leadership

by Samuel D. Rima

Encourages and equips those in authority to master self-leadership principles and realize their full leadership potential.

Genres: Leadership

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first sections work very helpful and engaging. I liked putting together my "personal constitution". The second section had equally as engaging content, but the work at the end of each chapter was not quite as revolutionary for me. Great book on self-leadership. Read it Millennials!

[Katie Betts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm presenting the chapter on intellectual self-leadership today at work for the staff. My executive pastor said he assigned me this chapter because I read so much, so I asked him, “I read 150+ books a year, but you know 100 of those are romances, right?” 💀 I guess he was satisfied with the rest of them being nonfiction 😎

In Leading from the Inside Out, Samuel D. Rima explores how self-awareness and inner character shape lasting, effective leadership. Drawing from psychology, theology, and real-life ministry experience, he helps leaders confront self-sabotaging patterns and develop emotionally and spiritually healthy habits through intentional reflection and transformation.

This book was written over 25 years ago—and it shows. Y’all know I love a personal development book. There’s nothing more exciting than finding a new little nugget of wisdom to add into daily rhythms. And the general templates and values Rima presents are excellent—time-tested advice you can count on. However, the author's personal anecdotes and explanations are where he lost me. Not because the stories are outdated, but because his commentary often feels out of touch with current culture (e.g. equating body weight with health, implying leaders must look a certain way, constantly referring to pastors as men, and idealizing the pastor’s wife). Usually, I can overlook bias like that, but these sentiments were repeated throughout 🙃

That said, the layout and practical tools are exceptional. Each chapter includes worksheets, and by the end, you’ve built a full-fledged action plan for living out the values and goals you identified at the start of the book. A++ for strategy. D- for the author’s cultural blind spots 🥲

This would probably be great on audio—but either way, you need the physical copy. It won’t be effective without the worksheets.

Similar to:
The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton

[Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rima introduces the idea of self-leadership and the necessity that you have to be able to take care of yourself before you can lead others well. Definitely a book that is dated in its time through various references to president Bill Clinton and the his failure as a leader. Rima does an incredible job at articulating the different components that go into a leaders personal growth. Though not a flawless book as he suggests the world could not care less if it's leaders had good character. I would disagree with that, but apart from small things, it was a very good read and highly recommended for anyone aspiring to be a Christian leader.

[Christen Dubs · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars and I’m being generous. There were nuggets of wisdom sprinkled throughout but this book was so hard to trudge through. It read like a textbook to me and no point—even when telling personal stories meant to bring himself to our level—did the author seem approachable or real. Also, because this book was written in 2000, the author brings up the Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinski scandal SO OFTEN. WE GET IT BRO, YOU AREN’T A LIBERAL. PLEASE PICK A DIFFERENT EXAMPLE TO BRING UP EVERY. SINGLE. CHAPTER.

Shan’t re-read.

[Brian Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for self leadership. I read it as part of a Spiritual Formation course in seminary and was thankful for the regular engagement in my studies. As someone who has worked in leadership positions in tech and retail jobs, this book brought new insights to an area I'd studied before. It isn't the most mind-blowing leadership book you'll ever read, but it's one that approaches a topic every person needs with practical helps, self leadership.

I should note that I did not interact with part 3, the group study portion.

[Jonathan McCarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rima's book has some really good material in it. My favorite chapter was chapter three: Connecting with your Life's Calling. There was nothing bad about this book. My only thought is that it seemed a bit overly long and some of the exercises a bit superfluous. There are many books on leadership and this one could have been trimmed down and sharpened a bit. I would have appreciated a more theological edge and less of a simplistically pragmatic one.

[Evan Hoekzema · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this book that much. I think the principle behind the book is spot on, and I think 20 years ago this book probably struck a chord, but I didn’t find it to be an overly helpful resource. Some good principles in there? Sure. But I think there are better books out there, like Cloud’s ‘Integrity’.

[Joshua Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't believe I never heard of this book before.

Self-leadership is vital in such an apathetic culture. How can you lead others if you can't lead yourself. Take this book and get the tools you can use immediately in your own journey of self-mastery.

[Matthew Stidham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on what it means to lead oneself well in order to better lead the church. We must take care of ourselves first, otherwise we will be pouring out from an empty well.

[Ashlyn Veal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read Part II of this book and I found it to transformational by showing the deep need for leaders to be intentional about leading themselves before they begin leading others. I agreed mostly with his argument for Spiritual self-leadership and physical self-leadership, but felt that his chapter on emotional self-leadership hardly even scratched the surface of ways to effectively and biblically practice self-leadership over our emotions. I think that his argument for this section was shallow and failed to reach the heart of the matter. Another book that I would recommend as a supplement to Leading from the Inside Out, which discusses in depth how to biblically walk through our emotions, is called Be Transformed. Overall, I enjoyed the content of this book and would recommend it to any individual leading in ministry.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by far is one of the most practical books on self leadership I have ever come across. It is laid out in more of a workbook type format giving you opportunity to respond to each chapter by applying each area of self leadership to your own life in a personal and practical sense. I worked through this book on my own, but it does have a group study guide you can use in a small group setting as well. Samuel D. Rima does a very complete job of looking at all the different areas of self leadership through a holistic scope. Very good book!

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good comprehensive book for those wanting to become intentional with their life and start proactively pursuing goals and personal growth. If you already have a strong personal growth plan established and are feeling good about where you're at in the various roles in your life, this read probably doesn't have much for you. I skimmed it in an hour.

[Chris Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

ridiculously practical.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with lots of practical advice on self disciplined leadership!

[Jared Donis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical, with biblical reflections, and no unrealistic New Age mumbo jumbo. It really challenged me to re-evaluate my life.