This book by Dan Allender is a revolutionary approach to leadership. I know that the book has been out a few years but somehow I missed it. Or perhaps I could say that I read it at exactly the time in my life when I needed to read it. The premise of the book is simply that God favors leaders who make the most of the power that comes from brokenness.
This is not to say that strenghs don’t play a part. They do. In Allender’s words:
“Our calling is often shaped as much by our weaknesses as by our strengths. We tend to run with our strengths and avoid those people and tasks that expose our weaknesses. But the story of God is not a saga of human potential; it is the revelation of the kindness and passion of the Father who seeks and redeems sinners. Therefore our strengths may help us with certain tasks and opportunities, but it is our frailty and sin that make known the glory of God’s story (150).”
As a leader I know the temptation to “act like you have it together” and not reveal weakness or struggle. There is danger in doing so: lose respect of others or some choosing to leverage it against you. Yet I’m seeing that there is a greater danger if you don’t: miss out on God’s power working through you first and foremost.
Allender suggests there are four realities to embrace to be broken:
1. I am never sufficiently good, wise, or gifted to make things work;
2. My failures will harm others, the process, and myself, no matter how hard I try to avoid failure;
3. The greatest harm I can do is to try to limit the damage I cause by not participating, by quitting, or by pushing for control;
4. Calling out for help from God and others is the deepest confession of humility.
Our “limp” at the end of the day is there to deflect the glory to God and get it off of ourselves. After all, look at the damage we do when we hog the spotlight: trying to control situations, bullying others into “our” way, not being receptive to God’s still small voice, building a better kingdom for myself instead of building God’s kingdom, etc.
Allender challenges leaders to embrace Paul’s title of himself as the “chief of sinners.” When this is accepted and lived out God is positioned in our lives in such a way that there is no doubt he has been at work.
If you are interested in the notes I took from this book you can find them here. It’s the best leadership book I’ve read all year, maybe all decade.
