Read to Lead

I’m not the best reader.  I always had a difficult time in school keeping up with all of the required reading.  I actually took a speed-reading class in college to get better, but I couldn’t keep up with that either.  Sometimes I wish that all the books I want to read would just be laid out as Facebook posts, then I’d for sure get through them in no time!  However, I completely realize the benefit to reading whether I’m a reader or not.  I know that if I’m not reading, then I’m not learning, I’m not growing, and I’m failing as a leader.  So, each year I try to set a modest goal of 6 books to get through.  The way I pick my books is based off the areas I want to be more effective as a leader.  These areas are 1) Leader in my Own Faith (sounds ridiculous, but often we completely rely on others to lead our spiritual growth), 2) Leader in my Home, 3) Leader in my Church/Ministry.  Here are some books that are on my docket this year:

1.  Giving Up Gimmicks:  Reclaiming Youth Ministry from an Entertainment Culture by Brian H. Cosby

2.  Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters:  10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker

3.  Excellence in Preaching:  Studying the Craft of Leading Preachers by Simon Vibert

4.  The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

5.  You Win in the Locker Room First:  The 7 C’s to Build a Winning Team in Business, Sports, and Life by Jon Gordon & Mike Smith

6.  The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

7.  Celebration of Discipline:  The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster

That’s it.  There’s always more books I want to read, but I know my limits.  If I can get through these in 2016, I’m confident that I will be a better leader in the areas I am led to lead in, either that or my brain will explode.