The Exceptional Leader: Motivated to Succeed, Equipped to Excel

In this pleasantly unconventional outing, the late pastor Toler (The Power of Your Personal Impact), who died in 2017, opines on Christian leadership principles. The author offers dialogues between fictional characters Tim and his mentor Paul—contemporary stand-ins for the biblical figures—to impart leadership wisdom for “ministry, business, politics, education, or community service.” Tim, “an up-and-coming leader within his organization,” queries Paul on such matters as how to tell if someone is a leader and how to think like one, to which Paul replies that leaders are those others look to for solutions and those who instinctively troubleshoot problems. Toler sometimes breaks from his story to offer enumerated tips, such as his five points for pursuing an organizational vision, which include taking calculated risks and making sure followers keep the end goal in mind. The author also encourages readers to “use the Bible as a spiritual guide” because it instills conscientiousness that radiates out through the rest of one’s organization. The quasi-narrative framing makes for a nice tweak on the usual self-help fare, and the faith-oriented advice delivers. Christian leaders will find much of use in this astute program. (Aug.)