Business professor Zigarelli (The Minister’s MBA
) ably teaches others how to wield influence through biblically effective methodology. Zigarelli’s book is replete with examples from the Bible, where Jesus influenced and catalyzed remarkable inner change in those with whom he interacted. The author plainly tells fellow Christians that they are commanded by way of the Gospel of Matthew’s “Great Commission” to be influencers in their respective worlds. Zigarelli’s prose is lively and practical, and his scope is far more comprehensive and altruistic than a basic primer on getting others to serve one’s self-interest. Rather, every principle is presented expressly from a selfless position in which the goal is always to enrich another person’s life by honoring Christ’s servant-leader example. Readers will glean insight on such topics as making personal, prayerful preparation before attempting to persuade; understanding the wisdom of connecting through similarity and by asking for another’s opinion; learning to tell a compelling story using contrasts and metaphors; and valuing the weight of authoritative, experiential and social evidence. Readers will also discover concise planning worksheets and a complementary leader’s guide for applying each concept skillfully in any personal or professional position. (Jan.)
