Summer Reading Plan

SORRY… THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.

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Hi everyone!

I hope your summer is off to a great start.  I love this time of year… the end of the school year, the start of vacations.  My instagram feed is full of pictures of beaches and big smiles.

For the summer months here on the blog, I’ve decided to take a little vacation too.  I’m still getting settled in my new place plus I’m feverishly working on my next book manuscript.  With all of that going on, I’m not posting anything terribly inspiring or original. Sorry about that!

So there’s my plan:

Every week throughout the summer I’m going to feature a book and do a book giveaway.

Summer is a great time to rejuvenate, so let’s rejuvenate our minds with some great reading!

We’ll kick off with one my favorite leadership books, The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day: Revitalize Your Spirit and Empower Your Leadership. I read it almost every year.  It’s structured in devotional style so it’s easy to absorb in small doses.  Perfect for your summer schedule!

21Minutes

In the comments, share what you’re learning about leadership right now.  I’ll randomly select a winner this Friday, June 13th.

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24 comments

  • Jon Stolpe June 10, 2014  

    I’m learning that I will not be completely ready for my next jump in leadership, and this is okay. It’s actually normal.

    • Jenni Catron June 10, 2014  

      We’re never really prepared are we?

  • Paul Sohn June 10, 2014  

    I’m learning that leadership starts with the heart. Knowing the “why” of leadership precedes the “what” and “how” of leadership. Ken Blanchard’s “Lead Like Jesus” is a great book that has reinforced me that concept.

    • Jenni Catron June 10, 2014  

      That’s such a great framework, Paul!

  • Amy Cashion Hickman June 10, 2014  

    What I’m learning really came out of seeing a tweet/instagram you put out one day “The real task of leadership is giving it away”. My desire is to see that flesh itself out this summer even more in a group of staff wives I lead (I’m a lead pastor’s wife) as they lead those that are on their teams as well. Such power and freedom in giving it away to see others soar. We are going through “CLOUT” together this summer and so excited!

    • Jenni Catron June 10, 2014  

      Amy, love that you’re leading this group. I’ll be praying for you! Do you have the study guide for Clout?

  • Jon Stallings June 10, 2014  

    Hi Jeni, (don’t put me in the drawing) My wife recently read this one and really gained a lot of great info from it. Hopefully I can get around to it soon 🙂

  • Marty Labrado June 10, 2014  

    I’ve always been pretty big on servant leadership.

    My mentor and I are doing an intensive study on Servant Leadership and what Jesus taught his disciples about serving others.

    I think I intellectually knew the impact of serving, but my eyes are opening to the profound nature of servant-hood.

    We are not true leaders if we don’t uplift, empower, and serve those who are following us. It’s about them, not us.

    • Jenni Catron June 10, 2014  

      “It’s about them, not us.” Love that, Marty! Thank you.

  • Nicci June 11, 2014  

    I am learning that I just simply cannot and will not ever be able to please everyone!
    🙁 Ugh….

  • Karleen June 11, 2014  

    One aspect of leadership I’ve been learning and processing quite a bit recently has been that leadership starts with self-leadership. I can’t lead others to a place where I’m not at already, I can’t teach and coach others if I’m not already doing it, I can’t share personal experiences if I haven’t walked through them. Any impact of my leadership is an overflow of what God is doing in and through me…so it begs the question, “Am I surrendered to what He’s doing in me?” Although God’s entrusted leadership to us, the goal isn’t to be leaders, it is to be faithful disciples of Christ first and foremost.

    • Jenni Catron June 13, 2014  

      Love your heart and perspective, Karleen. Thank you.

  • Steve Erickson June 11, 2014  

    Leadership is contextual. You need to have a deep awareness of your culture (both organizationally and communally) in order to effectively develop leadership in yourself and others. There is a uniqueness of people, organizations, communities, and regions that must be considered in moving forward.

    • Jenni Catron June 13, 2014  

      Steve, this is so true. Thanks for making this great point.

  • Adwoa June 11, 2014  

    I’m learning that leadership is just as much about self awareness as it is about other awareness. While I’m looking out, others are looking in at me so I must be fully present with them. It’s hard to not look ahead and think about next steps but there are times when a group needs their leader to just be still with them.

    • Jenni Catron June 13, 2014  

      YES!

  • Nancy Jernigan June 11, 2014  

    I am learning that leadership takes a significant amount of time “listening” to God so I lead as God wants me to lead for a particular group not follow a current trend or program that someone else is doing.

    • Jenni Catron June 13, 2014  

      Nancy, and I find this so difficult to do. The more we lead, the more time I think we need alone with God but the more we lead, the more demands pull us away from that alone/listening time.

  • Mary Elsbury June 12, 2014  

    Leadership is about allowing others to shine. It’s listening while others spin ideas. I have to model those techniques before I can expect people to lead well.

    • Jenni Catron June 13, 2014  

      “allowing others to shine” – love this Mary!

  • Ashley Fungone June 12, 2014  

    I’ve learned very quickly that leadership requires humility and a willingness to serve others. Two of the simplest things that Jesus modeled for us in His ministry, yet it’s still quite easy to forget. All the glory is owed to God!

    • Jenni Catron June 13, 2014  

      So true!

  • Elaine Lankford June 12, 2014  

    I have learned that leading begins with following, but not just following anyone. Following Jesus is a life lesson in how to lead. Our lives are an open account of our beliefs and convictions. If we follow Jesus, and the instructions He gives, others will want to follow our lead. Teaching others to be followers in Christ, by letting our life lead them there, is the most important role we have in leadership.

    • Jenni Catron June 13, 2014  

      Thank you for the reminder of this critical perspective, Elaine.