An essential read for any leader, whether you're a CEO, a teacher, a cook, or a parent. This book does an outstanding job of demonstrating that being open about our weaknesses is not only advantageous but also crucial for effective leadership. By acknowledging our weaknesses, we lay the foundation for others to be open about the issues they observe within a group and address them, which serves as a catalyst for change.

There are numerous thought-provoking principles presented in the book. Working through it has assisted me in clarifying some of my own weaknesses and strengths. It has also helped me recognize the characteristics I should seek in teammates to balance my weaknesses and keep myself in check.

However, the one area where this book falls short is in helping you implement these practices. The book is predominantly conceptual and leaves the task of figuring out how to make it work up to you. Nevertheless, overall, it is excellent, and I will undoubtedly be recommending it to many others in the future.

This book truly demanded a significant investment of my time, as it compelled me to engage in deep thinking and processing regarding some of its profound ideas on leadership.

It felt like an intellectually challenging work, and I'm not entirely certain if I dedicated enough time or possess the mental acuity to fully extract and apply all its valuable insights.

Nevertheless, I did manage to highlight several key points.

For instance, the concept of "Leading with a limp works by inversion and paradox. You are the strongest when you are weak, and you are the most courageous when you are broken. You find your greatest effectiveness as a leader when you lead with a distinct limp."

The core assumption of the book, that "The degree you face and name and deal with your failures as a leader, to that same extent you will create an environment conducive to growing and retaining productive and committed colleagues," also stood out to me.

Additionally, statements like "It is through leading that I’ve known the greatest need for a deep, personal, and abiding relationship with Jesus" and "If you don’t have the capacity to confess, acknowledging in real time how much you mess up, the result will be a workplace that becomes more cowardly and employees who grow more self-committed, more closed to you and to one another, and more manipulative" made me reflect on the importance of confession and authenticity in leadership.

The idea that "A reluctant leader gets to boast in the foolishness of God…we can more rightly say, “I had a great idea, and I worked like a madman. But left to myself I would have created a nightmare. God turned it good!” and "Crisis exposed either your lack of preparation or the foolishness of your presumption of security" added further depth to my understanding of leadership.

Moreover, the descriptions of how a leader whose power comes from control uses authority to punish failure and the characteristics of a burned-out leader provided valuable warnings and food for thought.

Overall, this book has been a thought-provoking read that has challenged me to reevaluate my own leadership style and approach.

I look forward to further exploring these ideas and applying them in my own leadership journey.

This remarkable book serves as a powerful catalyst that not only challenges but also poses thought-provoking questions that are truly worth asking oneself as a leader.

It delves deep into the complex realm of leadership, forcing the reader to confront their own beliefs, values, and actions.

The author presents a series of incisive inquiries that encourage leaders to reflect on their decision-making processes, their ability to inspire and motivate others, and their overall approach to leading.

By engaging with these questions, leaders can gain valuable insights into their own strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas for improvement.

This book is a must-read for anyone who aspires to be an effective leader and is willing to take the time to examine themselves and their leadership style.

It has the potential to transform the way we think about leadership and help us become better leaders in all aspects of our lives.

Allender is truly remarkable for his wisdom.

I recently re-read "Leading with a Limp" together with our pastors and directors, and it has been approximately fifteen years since I last read it. It is astonishing to observe how the power and significance of a book like this increase with the passage of time.

While it may be true that Allender might place an excessive emphasis on leading through weakness, I do concur that we have also been called to lead through our strengths and gifting, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. Nevertheless, this book is truly a treasure trove filled with valuable insights. Every leader should make it a point to read this book every few years. It has a profound impact on the soul and can bring about personal and professional growth.

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"Leading with a Limp" is truly an outstanding book that delves deep into the concept of servant leadership and the crucial roles of humility and character. The author, Dan, presents remarkable conclusions and backs them up with real-life examples, which makes the content highly relatable and engaging. However, as I reached the middle part of the book, I couldn't help but notice that the experiences and advice seemed to be more tailored towards a specific group of individuals who are leading an organization. This somewhat limited the applicability of the ideas for a broader audience. Nevertheless, despite this minor drawback, the book as a whole was extremely helpful. It provided valuable insights and practical guidance that can be applied in various leadership situations. Overall, "Leading with a Limp" is a must-read for anyone interested in enhancing their leadership skills and understanding the true essence of servant leadership.

Fresh perspective on leadership,

which focuses not merely on definitions, skills, and techniques but rather on character. The author's experience as a counselor offers practical stories and valuable insights.

This unique approach to leadership challenges the traditional notions that often emphasize only the external aspects. By highlighting the importance of character, it brings a new dimension to the understanding of what it truly means to be a leader.

I initially read the article quickly, but soon found myself slowing down to fully enjoy and mark out the key phrases. Each sentence seemed to hold a nugget of wisdom that could potentially transform one's leadership style. It made me reflect on my own leadership journey and consider how I could incorporate these ideas into my practice.

The practical stories shared by the author added a touch of authenticity and made the concepts more relatable. It was fascinating to see how character traits influenced leadership decisions and outcomes in real-life situations. Overall, this article provided a refreshing and thought-provoking take on leadership that I will surely keep in mind.

Unlike any other leadership book I have read before, Allender's work presents a truly unique perspective.

He makes a compelling case for leading from your weaknesses, rather than solely relying on your strengths.

This approach challenges the traditional notion that leaders must be perfect and always showcase their abilities.

By embracing our weaknesses, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and those we lead.

It allows for greater authenticity and vulnerability, which can foster stronger relationships and a more collaborative environment.

Allender's ideas are not only thought-provoking but also practical.

He provides valuable insights and strategies for turning weaknesses into opportunities for growth and development.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in leadership, whether you are an experienced leader or just starting out.

It has the potential to transform the way you think about leadership and help you become a more effective and impactful leader.

"If you're a leader, you're in the battle of your life." - Dan B. Allender

In "Leading with a Limp", Allender delves deep into the challenges of leadership and how they intersect with our personal frailties. The core concept of the book is that leadership is far from being a walk in the park. It is an "absurdity" rife with chaos, complexity, and weariness, among other arduous hardships. However, according to Allender, the most effective leaders are the "leader-fools" who are cognizant of their own brokenness. They let go of the "tried-and-true" methods and present their inadequacies before Jesus, fashioning their lives in accordance with His character.

I randomly picked up this book at a Christian library in Germany (hello Connections!). I was so captivated by the first few pages that I promptly went home and purchased a copy for myself. The premise is indeed a necessary one. I often find myself shying away from leadership positions as I am overly conscious of my weaknesses. But Allender presents a compelling argument for how being aware of our imperfections can actually be an advantage. His detailed multi-chapter explanation of leadership challenges and our responses to them was one of the highlights of the book for me. However, some parts were not as beneficial. I found the last chapter a bit perplexing, although perhaps it might resonate more with those who have had more extensive leadership experience. Overall, this was a highly worthwhile read. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is a leader, who "thinks" they want to be a leader, or who believes that their flaws prevent them from taking on leadership roles.

It offers valuable insights and perspectives that can help leaders navigate the complex and often tumultuous waters of leadership.

I truly had a great admiration for this book from a conceptual perspective. The author vividly showcases how revealing weakness within leadership is the crucial element for achieving effective and God-honoring leadership. It's an extremely interesting and thought-provoking idea that really makes one stop and reflect. However, it's a pity that the book is in need of a thorough and excellent edit. There are some areas where the writing could be improved to make the concepts even more accessible and engaging. Nevertheless, when it comes to the concepts themselves, I would毫不犹豫地 give it 5 stars. They are truly remarkable and have the potential to have a significant impact on how we view and approach leadership. On the other hand, for the writing aspect, I would rate it 3 stars. There is definitely room for improvement in terms of clarity, flow, and overall polish.

Dr. Allender’s insights have been truly remarkable and significantly encouraging to me as I’ve delved into his book.

Leadership is not about turning a blind eye to failure or wallowing in its depths. Instead, it is about wholeheartedly embracing it. Failure should be seen as a powerful means of growth and a crucial step in the formation of the leader that God is divinely creating you to be.

As I journey forward in my ministry, I am certain that I will be revisiting this book time and again. It serves as a valuable resource, offering profound wisdom and practical guidance that will undoubtedly shape and mold my leadership skills.

I am truly grateful for the inspiration and encouragement that Dr. Allender’s work has provided, and I look forward to applying his teachings in my ministry and personal growth.

I really enjoyed this book.

It is the kind of book that I truly wish I had read when I first embarked on my pastoral ministry.

Most of the leadership books I have perused so far, while undoubtedly helpful in many respects, have often left me with a lingering sense that I was somehow not quite good enough.

However, this particular book offers a refreshing perspective on leadership.

It enables us to see that God is fully capable of using us in our very weakness.

It reminds us that leadership is not about being perfect or having all the answers, but rather about being open to God's grace and allowing Him to work through us, flaws and all.

This new understanding has the potential to transform the way we approach leadership and ministry, and I am grateful to have come across this book at this stage of my journey.

One of the best books on Christian leadership I've ever read is truly remarkable.

Paul's teachings on leadership are profound and challenging. He doesn't just call leaders to be humble and self-effacing. Instead, he demands that they be desperate and honest. It's not sufficient to simply be self-revealing, authentic, and transparent. Our calling as leaders goes much further. We are called to be reluctant, limping, chief-sinner leaders, and even more than that, we are called to be stories. The word Paul uses is that a leader should be an "example," but this implies far more than just being a figure on a flannel board. He calls us to be a living portrayal of the very gospel we are asking others to believe. This requires a leader to recognize that they are just as likely to deceive as they are to tell the truth, to manipulate as they are to bless, and to cower as they are to be bold. A leader is both a hero and a fool, a saint and a felon.

This book has truly opened my eyes to the complex and demanding nature of Christian leadership. It has challenged me to examine my own leadership style and to strive to be a better example of the gospel in all that I do. #casperreads2018