Barefoot Follower

Inviting Reflection on the Stories of Jesus

  • Introduction
  • Mosaic
  • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Reflections
    • Gospel of Matthew
    • Gospel of Mark
    • Gospel of Luke
    • Gospel of John
  • Reviews
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Reviews / Leading with a Limp by Dan Allender: A Book Review

Leading with a Limp by Dan Allender: A Book Review

August 13, 2013 By Mark Beresford

Leading with a Limp

Allender, D. B. Leading with a Limp: Take Full Advantage of Your Most Powerful Weakness. WaterBrook, Colorado Springs. 2006. 206 pages.

I do not usually go for leadership books. All too often I find them disappointingly strategic and measured by shallow definitions of success and power. They leave me wondering if there is a place for the humble and sacrificial message of Jesus when it comes to leading others.

Leading with a Limp, however, recently caught my eye. I related to the title and, rightly, surmised that this was a leader whose style and priorities were influenced by the apostle Paul’s ‘…when I am weak, then I am strong’.

Dan Allender, founder of Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle, has written a book on leadership that does more than seek to maximise a leader’s strengths and minimise weakness. His thesis is that leadership requires an understanding of ourselves that – at the very least – centralises our failures and weaknesses. In the introduction, Allender writes:  To ‘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’ (p 2).

This is not about covering weakness, but about finding the courage to expose it.

Along the way Allender addresses the cost of leadership, the gift of failure, the dangers of both complexity and simplicity, the reality of betrayal, loneliness, disillusionment and hope, character, and maturity. Each of these is related to the fact that leaders are best when they are open to the reality of our own inadequacy. Allender reminds the reader on numerous occasions that the leader is most accurately considered to be an organisation’s ‘chief sinner’.

This approach, of course, is not without risk. Admitting failure and weakness gives ammunition to those who would choose to utilise it. Our failures are not secret and confessing them both demolishes and creates power. Such power can be abused and used by others. There is no claim here that this is an easy road.

But it is a right, accurate, honest, and freeing road. And this not only for the leader, but also for those who are being led. Honest leaders inspire honest followers.

Leading with a Limp is packed with personal story and heartfelt admission. It is readable, accessible, and, more importantly, transformational for both leaders and communities. I highly recommend it for anyone who leads and influences others (and, of course, that is most of us!).

Filed Under: Reviews

Barefoot Follower: Inviting Reflection on the Stories of Jesus

The 'Barefoot Follower' site is a collection of passion-filled reflections, sermons, and reviews centred around the teachings of Jesus. Join me as we consider what these ancient, long-treasured documents might tell us about God and ourselves. For more information on the concept, purpose, and aspiration of the site please visit the Introduction page.

About the Site Author: Mark Beresford

Follower of Jesus, husband, father, barefoot runner, pastor, musician, speaker, lecturer, chaplain, and admirer of St Benedict. Read More…

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Empowering for the Extraordinary: Jesus Front and Centre
  • Hidden Trust
  • Hidden Deeds
  • ‘How the Bible Actually Works’ by Peter Enns
  • Light Among Us: A Visit from Afar

Search this site:

Copyright Stuff

All posts and comments © their original owners. Everything else is © Mark Beresford 2014. Mark's information can be reused or republished solely in accordance with the BY-NC-ND Creative Commons License. Please let Mark know if you would like to reuse any part of this site through the contact page. It is helpful and encouraging to learn how people are using the information.

Copyright © 2023 · Website by Your Web Presence · Log in