Lead . . . for God's Sake!: A Parable for Finding the Heart of Leadership

A couple of weeks ago, while walking through a bookstore, I was drawn to this book. I read a lot of books on leadership, and even wrote one with someone else (Leadership in Volunteer Groups). But finally last night, around 10, I started reading your book before I went to sleep. Well, I finally went to sleep around 1:30 or 2 after finishing the book. I have to agree with Coach Urban Meyer that it is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. It hit me hard, and it reminded me of why I should do what I do. I had lost sight of that. Whether it be my family, occupation, or any other interaction, I think I had lost my way somewhat. Thanks to this book, I am extremely hopeful I am finding my way back. So, thank you Todd. I would certainly recommend this book to all my friends and associates, and I encourage everone to buy it, read it, and live it!

Todd took the half court shot as time expired that would win the championship. Did he make it? Only the reader will know. I read it cover to cover the day I received it, and again two weeks later. It was a really good book the first time, even better the second time. Being a husband, a father and a high school coach, it made me reflect on what I do, how I do it and most importantly, why I do it. It is very thought provoking. Too many people want the answers provided to them on a silver platter. This book gives you the silver platter, and THE answer is presented, but each person must get their own unique answer. In my opinion, this book is a must read.

I have been reluctant to read this book for many months, not fully understanding what it was. The author is from the small town we live in, and actually attends the same church as my family (their children are in my children's classes at school as well). While there has been much hype in our area since the release of the book, it was never one I intended to purchase, I thought it was a "self-help" book of sorts. Then it became available through one of the company's I do book reviews for, so I thought I would give it a try. While the beginning was a bit rough for me (some choice language is sprinkled through out the first few chapters), I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Needless to say, I immediately handed it off to my husband, who is an elementary school teacher and basketball coach, and told him it is a "must read"! While the book does deal with leadership and "self help" issues, it felt more like a fiction story I was reading, which is right up my alley! Coach Rocker is dealing with many issues that are relevant in marriages today, and seems to be going through much more in his job as well. He struggles in many areas, and at times is just trying to stay afloat. How can he be the leader others expect him to be, when he doesn't even have his own life in order? The one storyline I couldn't get enough of was that of Joe, the Janitor. What a special and unique man he represented! Through the relationships that are formed, we are taken deeper in to the life of Joe, and find out how he became the man that he is today. On the surface, Joe seems to be your average blue collar worker, but after spending several minutes with him, you learn there is so much more to who he is. If you're looking for a great book to read, and glean some wonderful leadership advice from, then this book is for you! Even as a stay at home mom (who leads a girl scout group, coaches Upward Cheerleading, and works with children at church) there were so many take-a ways from this book for me. Everyone needs a "Joe" in their life, teaching them what it means to be a leader, and more importantly, a child of God. I enthusiastically give this book 5 stars! It would make a wonderful Father's Day gift for that special someone in your life!

Eating breakfast out with my son and husband. A gentleman a few tables away was talking about a book he had read that made him cry. Being a avid book reader, I said to my son, I have to find out what book he is talking about that would make a man cry. We stopped at his table on the way out. He was very glad to share the title. He was a basketball coach himself. I went right home got on my IPad, received and read the book. It's for leaders and we are all leaders in one way or another. Wonderful read, very very helpful for all of us. I'm a 70 year old lady know little about basketball,. I sure learn a lot about how to make our life mean more.

This is a wonderful book. You will view your relationship with God and other people in a completely different light. This book is about developing the right relationship with God and others. You will gain new understanding of the Bible, right relationships and how to build and enjoy them.

WOW! What an amazing book! I read it because it was on Tyndale’s Summer Reading Program but I am blown away by it! It is the story of a high school basketball coach who is having problems with getting his team motivated – and he doesn’t seem to have any time to spare for his wife or two kids. His friend Grant tells him to lead one way, with either rewards or discipline. But the janitor at the school starts teaching him other ways to lead – through the heart. All in leadership should read this book – it is never too late to lead well – and even more specifically, young men should read this book! Incredible book!!

"What we have is a lack of leadership!" It started off with a coach frustrated by his players not playing like a team. No matter what he tried he could not get the gelling that is required for teams to succeed. He then found a compatriot in his friend who was having similar troubles in the business world. Employees just wanted to get paid and when the money was good so was morale. When the money wasn't there neither were the employees. What was missing? In his book LEAD for God's Sake! Todd Gongwer takes the reader on an inspirational fiction about where to find the heart of leadership. Through this wonderfully written story, Gongwer lays the foundation for what a leader should be and how to express their leadership properly. I found this book to very engaging and exciting. I was having a hard time putting it down as the story developed. This would be a great book for anyone who is in a place of leadership no matter the environment.

WOW! This book is an incredibly entertaining and emotionally charged story that will not only challenge the way you think about leadership - but even more importantly, how you think about your life and your true purpose on this earth. It's no wonder Urban Meyer, Lou Holtz, and a host of other leaders from the world of business, sports, and beyond have touted this as "one of the best ever"  it truly delivers!  If you are in a position of leadership in business, sports,  or even in your own home this book is an absolute must read!   

This book starts out by telling the story of a janitor cleaning an office building and quickly switches to a coach and his basketball team. The team starts losing, the coach’s family life is going down the drain, and he seems to be questioning life as many of us do. Honestly, I started to regret my decision to read this book and quite frankly I was only reading it because my uncle wrote it. I dislike reading and only read books that I have to through school. I decided to stick it out and keep reading. As I read on, I felt that I judged the book too soon and after the first few chapters I got hooked. I didn’t want to put the book down and as I read about Joe I wanted to learn more and more. I think this is one of my favorite books by far because it made me think deeper and question myself. It made me ask myself why I was doing what I was doing. Not only does this book make you think about your own life, but it also teaches you great lessons while reading it.

This book was totally not what I expected. I assumed, based on the title and endorsements, that it was a leadership/coaching "how-to" book....and it sort of is...but not exactly. It's actually a story, yes, about leadership, however, the author employs a parable, an inspirational story to get his point across. Coach Rocker is one of Kentucky's top high school basketball coaches, and he is highly motivated to win. Married with two children under the age of 10, he is in the midst of what was supposed to be a championship season. His team is losing steam and he can't figure out why. His friend Grant is a highly successful businessman - everything he touches turns to gold - but his personal life is falling apart, and he's drinking too much. Both men desperately want to find out what they must change to be successful, but are they truly willing to examine themselves and find out some of the responsibility lies in their leadership (or lack thereof?) Pick up this book to find out what happens; you'll certainly learn something, too.

This book is the most interesting and inspiring book I’ve ever read on becoming a great leader. It is a must read for all husbands and male friends in your life. It is the story of a successful high school coach who suddenly finds his players are losing their drive to win. When Coach appeals to a successful CEO friend, he gets advice that doesn’t seem to help at all. However, talking to the school janitor, Joe Taylor, he gets some ideas of what the guys are missing: leadership, the love for their teammates, the will to win, and their former passion for the game. When he learns that one of his players’ parents were divorcing and he brushed it off, appearing not to care, he realized he was failing his players. When David, a key player, broke his hand hitting something in anger, Coach realized David had only followed his bad example. Coach met with the team and apologized to each member saying he had been selfish, making winning more important to him then helping them become successful. He discussed leadership, influence and responsibility and praised the team. Coach also apologized to his family and said he’d spend more time with them. Joe gave him a book on leadership to help him. The surprise at the end of the book is totally unexpected but fascinating.

This is a great book with a wonderful message to be learned by all ages. I had the privledge of meeting the author, Todd Gongwer, and he is such a down-to-earth, positive thinking man with such insight. I applaud him for putting in to words how we can change the course of our thinking and the decisions we make. Todd did this with a great, heart-warming story that carries a wonderfully strong message.

Steve Rocker, one of the most successful high school basketball coaches in Kentucky's history, is about to enter into the most difficult season of his career. With expectations at an all-time high, his players have lost their will to win and their passion for the game; none of Coach Rocker's tried and true motivational methods are working, and he doesn't know why. As the season continues to spiral downward and his home life begins to mirror the problems he's facing on the court, Coach Rocker stumbles upon a most unlikely mentor - Joe Taylor, the school's janitor, who seems to have the answers to all of Coach's problems. Joe helps the Coach turn his season around and reconnect not only with his players, but his wife and children as well. He ultimately helps him realize that his true purpose in life is not to win games, set records, or achieve personal acclaim, but rather to influence others by leading from the heart. This is a wonderful book that opened my eyes to what it truely means to live. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever wondered why am I doing what I'm doing?

This book is about learning new concepts on leadership and being able to apply them to your life with passion and purpose.It will inspire you and challenge you.Todd Gongwer, the author, does a wonderful job of making the characters relatable and using them to communicate the true definition of being a leader through Jesus Christ. It is heart felt and is a book you will not want to put down. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for some ideas to impact not only their own life but also the lives of others. **Disclosure** I received this complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.

This book is about an awful coach that "sees the light" and becomes a mediocre coach. It is very cliche' and predictable. You saw the ending coming pages before you actually got there.

I am generally skeptical of any book review that starts with "I could not put this book down!" I have read dozens of books on leadership that quite frankly, were so easy to put down that picking them back up became the the real issue. After carrying Lead...for God's Sake around in my briefcase for several weeks, a 5 hour flight delay lead me to finally picking it up. Lol, once I did....I could not put it down! Literally reading as I walked to the Starbucks stand and reading as I bumped into the person in front of me on the gateway! This book does not simply contain leadership "nuggets" that you read, dog-ear the page and underline before you put it in your bookcase. This book will make such a profound impact, that you will give your copy to the stranger sitting next to you on the airplane, you will order a dozen copies to hand out to every leader you know and ultimately, it will make the kind of impact that will change your life! I lead a team at home, I lead a team of litigation attorneys at Exxon Mobil Corporation and for the last two years, I have lead a High School basketball team. While the basketball parable initially intrigued me, I have found the message more applicable to my teams at work and at home. As I read this book, I assumed that Coach Rockers' transformation was the message of the book and then with the subtlety of a 2x4 across the head, I realized the real intent was call to be more "janitorial" in how I live and lead! This book not has challenged me to understand "why" I do what I do, but it has inspired me to make real and substantive changes in how I lead ALL of my teams!