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Leading with a Limp: Turning Your Struggles into Strengths

dan b. allender

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Leading with a Limp, along with its companion workbook, supplies practical direction to anyone who aspires to more effective leadership, showing that a limping leader is the person God uses to accomplish amazing things.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15,2006

This edition

Format
224 pages, Hardcover
Published
May 16, 2006 by WaterBrook Press
ISBN
9781578569502
ASIN
1578569508
Language
English

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About the author

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dan b. allender

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Dan B. Allender, Ph.D, is a fly fisherman who also serves as president and professor of counseling at Mars Hill Graduate School near Seattle, Washington. He is a therapist in private practice, and a frequent speaker and seminar leader. Dan received his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University. He is the author of To Be Told: Know Your Story / Shape Your Future, How Children Raise Parents, and The Healing Path, as well as The Wounded Heart, Bold Love, and Intimate Allies. He and his wife, Rebecca, are the parents of three children.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
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27(27%)
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40(40%)
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100 reviews All reviews
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Kantiix
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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One of the best books I have ever read is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

This book is not just for a select few; it is for all believers. Even if you don't consider yourself a leader, well, here's a surprise - you are. Every disciple is called to be a disciple-maker. As we wade through all of life's challenges and messiness, this book serves as a guiding light.

It is based on the foundational godly character of humility, which is essential for all who seek to lead. I firmly believe that our greatest strengths can also be our greatest weaknesses. We should not fear being "found out" but rather embrace being known and vulnerable about our weaknesses.

These are the types of people we look up to and respect - not the perfect ones, but those who are honest sinner/saints. They hold their heads up and walk with dignity, pursuing Christ.

This book is incredibly practical, and there are certain passages that hit really deep. It has truly helped disciple me, and it is one of those books that I will read over and over again and will also buy for others in my life. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of leadership.

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Zephaas
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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It is indeed a worthy endeavor to condense years of experience into a practical guide. However, this particular attempt seems to fall short and is mainly boiled down to the rather simplistic advice of "having situational awareness." He repeatedly resorts to experience that is specific only to him, which may not be applicable or useful to a broader audience. This serves as a good reminder that even many leaders have their flaws. Leadership is a complex and multifaceted concept, and simply relying on personal experience may not be sufficient to provide comprehensive and valuable guidance. A more in-depth and diverse approach is needed to truly understand and master the art of leadership.

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ExtraCheesy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I often shy away from reading books on leadership. The reason is that there is a rampant lack of context in many of them. And when it comes to Christian leadership books, they often seem to be just the same content presented in different languages.

However, somehow, Dr. Allender's book stands out as being different. It is not just a simple pep talk. Instead, it provides a real encounter with the harsh realities of being a leader who follows Christ. It delves deep into what it means to be broken and yet still hold a leadership position.

Dr. Allender's work offers a refreshing perspective on leadership within the Christian context. It doesn't sugarcoat the challenges but rather confronts them head-on. This makes it a valuable resource for those who are serious about understanding and践行 Christian leadership.

Overall, while I have had my reservations about leadership books in general and Christian leadership books in particular, Dr. Allender's book has managed to break through those barriers and offer something truly unique and worthwhile.
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FlowingCurrent
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Fantastic read

This is hands down the best book I've read this year. In fact, it might just be my all-time favorite book when it comes to leadership. However, it's important to note that it's not a book that's easy to put into practice. To be a "limping leader" demands an enormous amount of courage and unwavering determination. It's not a path that everyone can or will choose. Moreover, not all churches or organizations are receptive to this kind of leadership style. It takes a special kind of person with a deep sense of purpose and a willingness to step out of the comfort zone. May God grant us all the wisdom and the courage to lead in this way, to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with being a limping leader, and to make a positive impact in the lives of those around us.

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ilovehaji
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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**Hard to Read but Worth the Read**

This book is incredibly hard to read. However, it's not because of the language. In fact, the language makes it an enjoyable read. The message it conveys is profound: a strong leader is one who knows their weaknesses. The book serves as a cumulative representation of this message. The author's stories meticulously detail his own journey. It's truly a remarkable account that offers valuable insights.

Despite the initial difficulty, it's well worth the read. It challenges our perceptions and makes us reflect on our own leadership qualities. We can learn a great deal from the author's experiences and the lessons he has learned along the way.

So, if you're looking for a book that will push you out of your comfort zone and make you think deeply, this is the one for you. It may be hard to get through at times, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Strongly recommended for anyone interested in leadership and personal growth.
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bauzlotz
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This is truly an outstanding book for everyone who leads, whether in formal positions or in their daily lives.

Dr Allender, a minister and director of a seminary, presents his ideas from a distinctively Christian perspective. For those of different faiths, like myself, it was relatively straightforward to look beyond his Christian viewpoint and foundation to understand and apply the key points of his book.

For me, these crucial points involve, as a leader, accepting my faults and failures as a means to enhance my leadership by strengthening my connection and relationship with others. Dr Allender contends that the optimal way to lead is in relationship with others. The best way to foster such relationships is with honesty and authenticity, which implies being both fully flawed and fully excellent. We are a combination of both.

Dr Allender does not avoid the challenges and tensions that emerge when attempting to be honest about our flaws. It indeed leaves us open to criticism, and we must be mindful and caring about the degree of our honesty. As he states, being truthful does not necessarily mean always being completely truthful.

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swagchungussette
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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My favorite read this year has truly been an eye-opening experience.

It is a book that is filled with an abundance of wisdom.

The author's words have the power to inspire and transform.

Each page seems to hold a new nugget of knowledge waiting to be discovered.

As I delved deeper into the book, I found myself reflecting on my own life and making connections that I never thought possible.

The wisdom within its pages has not only broadened my perspective but also given me the tools to navigate through life's challenges with greater ease.

It has become a constant source of inspiration and guidance for me.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a profound and life-changing read.

It is truly a gem that should not be missed.
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MyLoveForManga
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Great read on Christian leadership - it's a lot more than the title implies. It's not one of those books where you can assume you know everything just from the title or the first chapter. Instead, it delves deep into the paradoxes of Christian leadership, providing a wealth of personal and biblical anecdotes. This makes it a truly engaging and thought-provoking read.


I would highly recommend this book to anyone in a leadership position within God's Kingdom. It offers valuable insights and practical wisdom that can help leaders navigate the challenges and opportunities they face. However, I can't give it a full 5-star rating because the style is a bit "busy" at times, especially towards the end. The high idea density per page can make it difficult for the most important points to sink in. It seems that the author may have had a lot more to say but didn't want to make the book overly long.


Despite this minor drawback, the book is still a great resource for Christian leaders. It challenges them to think differently about leadership and to approach their roles with a deeper understanding of God's purposes and plans. I would encourage anyone interested in Christian leadership to give this book a read and see how it can impact their leadership journey.

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