What in heaven does the Bible have to do with leadership? Everything! The Bible is probably the most widely-read book in the world. It is revered for its religious precepts and guidance, its wisdom, and its literary beauty. Read carefully and with another perspective, it is also the greatest collection of leadership case studies ever written, with tremendously useful and insightful lessons for today’s leaders and managers. Whatever our religious beliefs, most of us in the Western Hemisphere are familiar with the Bible’s stories and heroes. They form some of the major archetypes of our collective consciousness and can serve as universal examples of leadership at its best (and worst). Consider some of the managers and leaders of the Bible and the lessons they can impart to today’s manager: ❖ Jacob, although inferior in strength to his macho brother Esau, was able to usurp his brother’s birthright by appealing to ‘‘the power behind the throne’’ (his mother) to deceive the CEO (his father). ❖ Joseph, cast into corporate exile because of his brothers’ jealousy of his close relationship with his father, Jacob, was forced to join the opposition, Egypt. There he was able to infiltrate the court, use his influence with Pharaoh, and ultimately bring his family and tribe to live with him, where they became a mighty force. However, the ‘‘merger’’ of the Israelites and Egyptians soon became extremely rocky, creating a whole new set of leadership problems. ❖ Moses, the man who inherited these problems, was a leader who spoke so poorly that his brother Aaron had to deliver most of his speeches for him. But the strength of his vision and his commitment to Israel’s mission made him the ultimate visionary and a leader the people would follow through the most adverse circumstances. Many modern corporations experience adverse conditions, but few are condemned to wander in a desert (real or allegorical) for forty years. The Burning Bush is a corporate vision par excellence, and the Ten Commandments are the ultimate mission statement. ❖ Joshua succeeded Moses, and that transfer of power is an example of thorough succession planning, assisted by divine intervention. It would take a great and inspiring leader to replace Moses and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua’s motivational genius and strategic planning helped the Israelites literally knock down impregnable fortresses. ❖ Samson is one of the best ‘‘negative case studies’’ in history. He possessed great physical strength, but had some tremendous ‘‘blind spots’’ in his interpersonal judgment. The person he most desired was actually the person he had most to fear and who brought about his downfall. Samson was literally ‘‘blindsided’’ by an enemy he thought was a friend, and who also happened to be a member of the opposite gender. There are a lot of lessons in this story for today’s business leader. ❖ Job had more troubles than any modern corporate executive, yet he stuck to his faith and his vision. His ‘‘case study’’ can teach the modern executive a lot about sticking to your vision despite obstacles, suffering, and doubters. ❖ Jesus, the son of a carpenter and born in a manger, rose to found the most populous religion on earth. Jesus’ communication skills were consummate. He was able to cogently communicate new and revolutionary ideas using parables instead of direct explanation, and he was able to answer Pontius Pilate’s loaded questions without appearing a traitor to Rome or a posturer to his own people. (Pilate: ‘‘Are you King of the Jews?’’ Jesus: ‘‘You say I am.’’) The Sermon on the Mount is a beautiful example of motivational communication, which influenced not just the small assembly there but millions of people in millions of assemblies since. His work with the disciples was some of the most astute team-building ever accomplished. And his mastery of the symbolic act gained him the largest following of any leader before or after him. The Bible is full of these and other leaders—kings, prophets, warriors, strategists, and visionaries. It is a story of prophets true and false, fortunes gained and lost, organizations ascending and crashing. Its literal truth has been questioned, but its lessons and stories have been embraced as universal archetypes that influence the way we live our lives on a deep psychological, spiritual, and symbolic level. So why shouldn’t this biblical wisdom on leadership be applied on a business level? This book attempts to do just that, reviewing the most inspiring biblical ‘‘case studies’’ and comparing them to the challenges faced and conquered by some of today’s most successful business leaders.

5.7 USD InStock