Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders

by Reggie McNeal, Ken Blanchard (Foreword by)

Overview

Based on his extensive experience as coach and mentor to many thousands of Christian leaders across a broad spectrum of ministry settings, Reggie McNeal helps spiritual leaders understand that they will self-select into or out of greatness. In this important book, McNeal shows how great spiritual leaders are committed consciously and intentionally to seven spiritual disciplines, habits of heart and mind that shape both their character and competence:

 

The discipline of self-awareness—the single most important body of information a leader possesses

 

The discipline of self-management—handling difficult emotions, expectations, temptations, mental vibrancy, and physical well-being

 

The discipline of self-development—a life-long commitment to learning and growing and building on one's strengths

 

The discipline of mission—enjoying the permissions of maintaining the sense of God's purpose for your life and leadership

 

The discipline of decision-making—knowing the elements of good decisions and learning from failure

 

The discipline of belonging—the determination to nurture relationships and to live in community with others, including family, followers, mentors, and friends

 

The discipline of aloneness—the intentional practice of soul-making solitude and contemplation

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787977535
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/21/2006
Series:	Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series , #18
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Reggie McNeal is the director of leadership development for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Through his various leadership roles, from local congregational settings to denominational positions to seminary classrooms to coach and consultant for thousands of spiritual leaders, he has been devoted to helping leaders understand and practice true leadership greatness. McNeal is the author of Revolution in Leadership: Training Apostles for Tomorrow’s Church (Abingdon Press), along with A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders and the best-selling The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church, both from Jossey-Bass.

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Table of Contents

About Leadership Network ix

Foreword by Ken Blanchard xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction Needed: Great Spiritual Leaders 1

1. The Discipline of Self-Awareness 9

2. The Discipline of Self-Management 35

3. The Discipline of Self-Development 61

4. The Discipline of Mission 81

5. The Discipline of Decision Making 99

6. The Discipline of Belonging 121

7. The Discipline of Aloneness 143

Conclusion Choosing Greatness 161

Notes 163

About the Author 165

Index 167

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Practicing Greatness is a hard-hitting leadership book, not just a collection of inspirational thoughts."
—from the Foreword by Ken Blanchard, author of The One-Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time

"The depth and breadth of wisdom in this book is just short of unbelievable. Good leaders aspiring to be great leaders will do well to read this book and allow it to probe and shape their lives."
—Bill Easum, Easum, Bandy & Associates

"I have always been challenged by Reggie McNeal’s ‘right on’ insights. And this book is packed with ‘right on’ insights for any leader wanting to move from good to great."
—Robert Lewis, pastor and men’s fraternity founder, Fellowship Bible Church, Little Rock, Arkansas

"Someone once taught me a powerful lesson: ‘If you are without discipline, you are without power.’ In this revitalizing work, Reggie has tapped into a power source for all leaders—disciplines. Grab hold of this book and begin a newly charged life today!"
—Wayne Cordeiro, New Hope Christian Fellowship O’ahu, Honolulu, Hawaii; author of Culture Shift: Transforming Your Church from the Inside Out

"We owe Greatness to God. Reggie McNeal challenges us to this standard and gives us some practical ‘how-tos’ in this clear and compelling new book. I recommend this book for all who aspire to a meaningful Halftime and Life II."
—Bob Buford, author, Halftime and Finishing Well; founder and chairman, Leadership Network

Editorial Reviews

"This is a compelling and practical book that will help develop great spiritual leaders to meet the challenges of leadership as the church seeks to bring the gospel to a changed world."
–Insights magazine (Sept. 2008)

From the Publisher