Practicing Greatness

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Practicing Greatness is a book that should be read by every leader on the planet, as it is filled with incredible insight on how to most effectively understand and manage ourselves, so that we can begin operating in a more consistent manner as we lead others.

Excerpt from the Inside Sleeve:

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

 Reggie McNeal lays out 7 practices of all great leaders, which to me, are invaluable practices/disciplines that all of us should devote our lives to growing in. The part of this book that was most significant to my life was not so much learning something new, as much as it was about having a clearer definition of how to better manage myself, especially during those times when I am most discouraged.

I highly recommend this to everyone. I also believe this should be a tool used in seminaries, for church staff, para-church staff, missionaries, and any and all forms of leaders who serve in God's Kingdom.

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