It doesn’t take long to find seminars on leadership styles and formulas. Many seminars and books abound with various approaches to becoming an effective leader. Yet, leaders often find themselves exhausted and alone, putting in countless hours while struggling with their personal shortcomings. Believing that there is no way to get off the speeding train.
Have you ever felt yourself pushed into a place of leadership which you felt reluctant and unqualified to take? Or maybe you’re in leadership now and feel like you are in way over your head. It is almost as though the organization has chosen the wrong person as their leader. If they really knew the “real you” the one with struggles and flaws they would choose someone else. On the other hand you might be sitting on the sidelines of life after leaving a place of leadership and you’re trying to make sense of what has happened. You’re glad to be off the “speeding train” but are trying to make sense of what has led to where you are now. In each of these cases Dr. Allender’s book, Leading with a Limp, will bring fresh insight, hope and understanding. He will open the realities of leadership for you so you can begin to plan for your future.
Think for a moment about the bible character of Moses. He was a man destined to lead from birth. He was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter as an infant and immediately groomed to take over the largest world power of his time. It was all going well till he reached a point where he had to choose between standing still and moving forward. He saw the needs of the people and could no longer watch from the stands. Because of this he chose to move forward. This move initiated the process of leadership in his life. Despite his “limp” and feelings of inadequacy God moved him into the greatest task of his life. His time in leadership was not glamorous but rather it was demanding with little tangible reward. At times he wished he could “throw in the towel” and leave the headaches and demands of the position. Yet, he was God’s person for the moment.
Leading with a Limp looks at the “other side” of leadership. It examines the less appealing and often unspoken ways of leadership. It is not in line with the motivational positive thinking strategies of today. It is an honest look at the life and struggles of being a leader. It examines what a leader is as well as what items are indispensable for successful leadership. It challenges the reader to examine his desire and ability to lead. It forces leaders to look at the internal aspects of leading.
Leading with a Limp offers a “new path” of leadership that is built upon the individual weaknesses of the leader. Instead of trying to compensate for one’s weaknesses Dr. Allender challenges leaders to develop character in themselves and others. Facing crisis, betrayal, brokenness and complexity enables leaders to successfully manage the storms of leadership without being overcome. Dr. Allender even shows how burnout and disillusionment can become the seeds of hope. He offers leaders a workable plan to become the leader they need to be by looking inward first.
This book is a must read for leaders of all types. Simply put, Leading with a Limp is about moving into the reality of who we are and allowing our weaknesses to be the catalyst for change in our lives and in the lives of those we lead. It is a call to relinquish the leadership image of today in exchange for one that is far more effective at helping those we lead.
