Incarnate Leadership: 5 Leadership Lessons from the Life of Jesus

Whitworth University president Bill Robinson highlights five qualities that characterized the leadership style of Jesus. Conversational in tone and seasoned with real-life stories from his own successes and failures as a leader, Robinson helps Christian leaders understand how to emulate the strong yet humble approach to leadership that Jesus used to establish his church.



Summary: A great read
Rating: 5

This is a charming and humble book on leadership as drawn from a few verses in the first chapter of John. The biblical text, though, is simply a vehicle for the President of Whitworth College to present his vast personal experience on leadership. The result is wonderful. He emphasizes humility, openness, and a willingness to give credit to others. He talks about having the courage to tell the truth gracefully. It is a work about the character of good leaders.

None of what he says is strikingly novel, and his illustrations are anecdotal. But that is part of what is so great about the book. Here are the obvious things of leadership that leaders often fail to do. The result is not that you walk away thinking that you've read the most profound book of your life, though it is, in a simple way, profound. You walk away from it thinking you may have come close to a profound man, and you wish he were close at hand to mentor you through the challenging decisions of leadership. Well done, Bill Robinson…and well worth the read.


Summary: Splendid Leadership Book
Rating: 5

I read a lot of books (no, I don't review them all here on Amazon.com). One type of book that I am reluctant to read is a leadership book. Often they give me a headache telling me to be another kind of person from the kind God created me to be or giving me endless lists of the kinds of things I'm supposed to do if I am truly a leader. Rare is the leadership book that points me to the example of Christ and is, well, Christocentric.
Also rare is the kind of integrity one finds in a leadership book where you can tell the author lives what he or she is presenting.
These are the kinds of things one finds in this splendid book by Bill Robinson. It is winsome, easy to follow, but not shallow, centered in Christ, honest, and filled with wisdom. I'd read a chapter and it would stay with me a few days as I pondered it. I wish there were more books like this about leadership. I'm sure there are not many leadership books out there that are an exposition on John 1:14!
Highly recommended.


Summary: Insightful view of leadership
Rating: 5

A very "accessible person" as well as author, Bill turns much of the "high boundary - no friends among colleagues" mantra on its head with insights from a great leader - Jesus. In easily digestible chapters, the reader grasps the author's main premise and applies it to him/herself in leadership positions. I suggest it as a good group study book for leader-pastor types in covenant groups.


Summary: Cafe Style Leadership realities
Rating: 5

I have had several influential people in my life tell me that I should start reading Bill Robinson's stuff. "Sign up for his newsletters" or read the strategic plan for Whitworth University. Just read him because his stuff is so consumable but so rich. I read Incarnate Leadership in one sitting and find myself using its principles in classes I teach and with the leadership of businesses I am lucky enough to consult with.

This book will be one that I pull from the shelf often not only to consult for its content but to remind myself on perspectives that are bottom shelf and practical in the now. For me it was a how I may lead in the moment I am confronted with today.