Yo, CEO
Jesus, CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership, Laurie Beth Jones, Hyperion (1996)
This book gives simple and clear directions to anyone seeking guidance in life. Whether one is in a management position, trying to manage family relations, or simply wanting a road map for how to exist in this world, Laurie Beth Jones gives her readers tangible suggestions rooted in examples from Jesus’ life.
The book is not preachy. The author lovingly weaves together the Bible, spirituality, leadership qualities and contemporary stories to form 20+ brief topical chapters. Broken into three sections — self-mastery, action and relationships — these chapters begin with experiences from Jesus’ life. For example: “He Did Not Kick the Donkey,” or “Served Only the Best Wine,” or “He Touched the Fragile Things.”
Reading Jesus, CEO simultaneously assured me that I’m living the way I’d like to be living, and taught me how to be a better leader. I also found myself constantly impressed with the way Jones takes a simple concept and makes it accessible to readers.
For example, in the chapter “He Changed the Unit of Measurement,” Jones starts with, “Perhaps the most important thing a leader can do is change the unit of measurement. Jesus constantly said, ‘It is written… but I say…’” Then, as she does in all her chapters, Jones gives examples of how this principle operates in today’s world. She then links back to Jesus’ example, making the structure of each chapter logical and accessible.
Jones also urges readers to think deeply about these ideas by asking questions at the end of each chapter. When I wrote out the answers to each question I found more information between the written lines. I was able to analyze my leadership potential and current skills, and also see the leadership potential and skills of the people in my life.
I recommend not rushing through this book, but instead taking each chapter as a lesson. Take time to digest the lesson, answer the questions honestly and patiently, and make notes of what you learned.
We so often read these types of books, nod our heads and sometimes even say out loud, “Heck, yeah!” or, “That sounds like me!” Then, after the book is shelved, life takes over again, and the lessons are lost. This book should be read with pen, paper, an open mind — and a resolve to use the insights you’ll gain.
Posted on Thursday, June 21st, 2012 at 8:25 pm | Follow responses with the RSS feedTopics: Christ Jesus
Ian, sometimes the best book on forgiveness we can read is the one we write ourselves. I was looking for Ginny Luedeman’s poem this morning, and navigated quite a few diaries and books full of poems from past Sentinels and Journals. So many instances of wrongs being corrected by the Christ, Truth, and during the following years a wonderful log of healing, healing, healing. And consequently rejoicing, rejoicing, rejoicing. Every day there are opportunities for thanksgiving and grace. Let’s not forget our angel messages and thoughts! The Journals are not finished products, but works in progress, and who knows what shape or style the next one will take? We can just awaken the process and outcome over and over, by checking through our own written accounts.
So much good will impel the world forward from all the outpouring of good that will follow this blog. Many thanks -