Leader

What a breath of fresh air to see one with such an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit coming from a traditional mainline denomination. This book does more than just exhort you to form teams, it tells you how to create a culture of teams that will make your church more effective for the Kingdom of God. This one has definitely made my top-ten list!

George Cladis has written a great book--the best I have found on team-building in the church. It is an easy read, very practical, filled with a lot of good ideas. I found his chapters on team covenants and on creating a visionary culture particularly helpful.

Cladis has learned a lot in his pastorates about teamwork--and teaches those principles well. He motivates me to want to build a strong team--not be a lone ranger in the pastorate. And he gives lots of ideas on how to do so.

This book was surprisely quick and easy to read yet very thorough. Any church or small business would benefit from reading this book. It's model is similiar to great world class companies, but is unique with it's theological links. It also recognizes the problems that happen in any small company...even churches....! It recognizes too everyone's desire to work in a place and do things we are passionate about!...Worthwhile for the entire staff to read!

As an internal consultant in a very large organization, I was thrilled to find this book and could not put it down until I finished it. Senior leaders are expected to be the fount of all knowledge, work in a high-pressure environment, never lose composure and NEVER let them see you sweat! It is, of course, rare to devote any part of a business day to asking the kinds of questions posed in this book. We are using it as a pilot program for leaders to discuss and discover who they are, rather than just what they do.It has given us an opportunity to talk about the very personal issues that a leader must address, and they have taken to it with great enthusiasm. Finishing this book, you are not left so much with the impression of the "guru's wisdom" as you are left to reflect upon your own wisdom. Great book.

This book is wonderful! It reminds me of "Chicken Soup for the Soul". It touches your heart and inspires at the same time. You get to see "turning points" in the lives of real people. But not just any real people, these people are among the most successful people in the world.

Learning Journeys is such a pleasant book to read. This book is personal. It¹s personal essays by some of the great management and business leaders in the world. In the book, these leaders reveal the life-changing events of their lives. There are some sad stories, some funny stories, and some spiritual stories: some of the stories are business-related and some are totally personal. What struck me so much about this book is that it reveals the human side of business, something that is so often forgotten.

When considering one's personal life and their comminication with their God there arise many questions that we feel are "giver". Then as we consider each question, or challenge, as they occur in our lives it is painfully apparent that we don't have an answer at all. In this wonderful book, Dr. Cedar shows in very simple fashion that each and every trial, big or small, personal or "church-wide" can be addressed through an application of prayer. It sometimes is a very personal application within ourselves, or, when appropriate, the entire church body or larger needs to be challenged and encouraged to bond together in corporate prayer.
Having heard Dr. Cedar deliver his sermons on prayer in person, and believing in his sincere and extremely simple yet powerful application of his precepts, I encourage any and all to investigate this wonderful book. The reinforcement of ones personal prayer life is reward enough, but the possibilities of moving outward and upward with the concepts described herein are staggering.

I wish to commend Mr. Cedar for an engaging, pracitical, and very readable book on prayer, particularly for Christian leaders.

"A Life of Prayer" gives the reader a solid understanding of the necessity of prayer in the life of a leader. Cedar quotes several advocates of prayer providing the reader with some further roads to pursue. After establishing the benefits, necessity of prayer, he proceeds to lay out how to go about it. He mixes a fair number of illustrations from his life and the life of others which enhances this work. The book is very readable and provides a solid foundation for developing your own personal prayer life. As I read it I found myself challenged to embrace the prayer in such a meaningful way.

Paul Cedar does a great job of explainng why we should pray, how we should pray and what results we should expect when we pray. This is a great reference for anyone who wants to get closer to God.

I agree with reviewer Dan E. Moldea who suggests that the film studios will line up behind this one. It's a wonderfully crafted story which makes you feel you are inside the story. Kudos to author Mark Perry. He is a wonderfully talented story teller.

Lift Up Thy Voice is a compelling tale of two sisters that will inspire young women to speak up and fight for what they believe. This book recounts the significant, yet often ignored role women played in the abolition of slavery. But beyond the facts of history I enjoyed reading the more personal story of the sisters and the effect their strong beliefs had on their personal lives. Even today having strong feminist views is not without its consequences, but these women spoke out at a time when women belonged their fathers and then to their husbands, rarely to themselves. Mark Perry has written an excellent and comprehensive history of this family and I would recommend it to readers interested in women's history as well as African American history.

Mark Perry follows his important last book on the Civil War with this gem about two remarkable American families, one black and the other white. The only remaining question is: Which Hollywood studio will get the film rights? Perry is quickly becoming one of America's best storytellers.

Wow! This is definetely a five star book and I highly recommend it!! It is filled with lots of great information and tools to help teams move through problem areas and perform at peak levels. It is easy to read and understand, and the information is immediately transferable to real life situations. Great suggestions on how to handle problem situations - especially the Problem Matrix which lists common team/group problems and tools to help you work through them. At one time or another I have seen all 17 problems listed in the matrix. The tools in the book which help you work through and overcome these problems are all practical and useful!

interesting, lively, and very readable treatment on the topic of leadership. Like In Search of Excellence, the material has a curiously inspirational quality which is particularly compelling. This book should be essential reading for those in positions of leadership and those aspiring to be - a welcome, well founded book on the topic.

and leaders. It captures those behaviors that are so important, but are often forgotten in the rush of working together. Light Bulbs for Leaders isolates the behaviors so that leaders and teams can use them as needed. It is a practical and useful tool. I keep it in my briefcase and refer to it often.

Paula Carlson and Peter Hawkins have over the past several years pulled together short stories and a few essays, three volumes in all, from contemporary authors in which faith concerns of all types are raised. The authors are first-rate and include the well known--John Updike, Flannery O'Connor, Gail Godwin, John Cheever and others--to lesser known authors like Tillie Olsen and Tess Gallgher. Each of the volumes includes a leader's guide, and volumes 1 and 2 include videos with interviews of the authors or of people who knew the author.

These are excellent volumes for discussion groups that bring out the multitude of issues, problems, life crises that each of has or will face. The relationship to faith and religion are sometimes clear, sometimes not so obvious, but all present situations of interest and, often, deep concern, for individuals. Having facilitated two of this series, the atmosphere provided by the stories and their general literary excellence leads easily into discussions where people can reflect anew on the importance of grace and the mystery of God in our lives

Editors Paula S. Carlson and Peter S. Hawkins have compiled stories and essays from contemporary writers that reflect people's experience in dealings the life events, boredom, crises, losses, disappointments and unexpected touches of grace. Some sections are painful to read and others are funny or joyful (like life itself.) It is interesting that even in our secular society people still ask the questions Job asked and still try to find meaning for themselves like Abraham and Sarah. The editors provide brief bios for the writers and propose discussion questions for groups.that might be helpful in groups. It seems that the problems of being human have not changed greatly in the last few thousand years.

This is a very moving collection of essays for anyone interested in how religious thought affects the writings of authors. I couldn't put the book down and recommend it for discussion groups as well.

This book is full of ideas that I have either currently implemented into my administrative plan or will implement next year. Many of these ideas were simple, easy-to-use, common sense ideas that I wish I would have found earlier in my administrative career. The bottom line is that if you don't have motivated teachers, you most likely don't have a "good" school - this book will help you motivate your teachers and create a positive environment.

For principals, teachers, team leaders, and all other educators, this book will help revitalize and re-energize your school. It is filled with strategies to motivate and stimulate all those involved in education. Included in this book are simple suggestions which you can integrate into your current daily routines. This book will show you how to:

- insert key phrases and specific actions into your day-to-day conversations, staff meetings, and written memos to stimulate peak effectiveness.

- hire new staff and plan orientation & induction meetings to cultivate and retain loyal and motivated staff members.

- use the "gift of time" to stimulate and reward.

- get amazing results by not taking credit for them

- motivate yourself each and every day.

Author Todd Whitaker, a former middle and high school principal, is currently Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Indiana State University. He is the author of Dealing with Difficult Teachers and co-author of Dealing with Difficult Parents (and with Parents in Difficult Situations). He has keynoted state, national, and international conferences and is a highly sought presenter for teachers and principals. Dr. Beth Whitaker, currently an Assistant Professor at Indiana State University was the principal at an elementary school which received the National Blue Ribbon Award for School Excellence. With her husband, Todd, she is co-editor of Contemporary Education. Dr. Dale Lumpa, currently an elementary school principal, serves as on the board of directors of the Colorado Principal's Center and is an adjunct professor for the University of Phoenix.

If I were a high school principal, I would find this book extraordinarily creative and helpful. I have spoken to old high school principals and teachers about this book because it gives practical ideas to motivate teachers and students alike. It makes me hope that all principals will read this book for the shear fact that I want to see teachers more motivated and excited about their jobs. I will someday be a parent and would like to know my children are learning from the best.

Throw away all the fad management techniques. What is the real key to competitive advantage? How can you deal with conflict more effectively? What is your role and what do you need to do to thrive as a leader in the 21st century?

If you have asked these questions, New Roles For Leaders is a must read book. The book is based on our proven method of leading/coaching/managing which is now used worldwide. Leading is about creating a vision and helping employees to make the vision a reality. Coaching is about helping employees grow, quickly adapt and add value to the organization. Managing is about working on processes within systems to improve the performance of the organization. Oftentimes, leaders spend their time only on leading and managing. New Roles For Leaders shows you how to spend equal effort on all three functions. Organizations that have adopted this approach have gained competitive advantage, including manufacturers, hospitals, colleges and churches, to name a few. As renowned author William Byham, Ph.D. stated - This is "a survival kit for managers in the twenty-first century." Enjoy and Grow!!

The book is extremely well organized and easy to follow. The points made in the book have already exercised in my organization with wonderful results.

I especially like the way Mr Hornsby can help one search their own leadership styles and find ways to improve.

This book is extremely easy to read and comprehend, yet detailed with actual facts and experiences at various levels of business demanding strong management and leadership principles. If ever such principles have been broken down and made available in print for easy adaptability, this is it!

This is a fine reference! It asks the hard questions, and the workbook exercises are designed to help everyone over the tough answers. Readable, practical, most helpful.

"Don't merge without it!"

This book is invaluable when your nonprofit is going through any form of strategic restructuing, up to and including mergers. As someone who has participated in nonprofit merger negotiations--both as a consultant and a board member representing a nonprofit--I believe this book can make the difference between success and failure.

Not only does David La Piana talk the talk in this book, he has also walked the walk. As an Executive Director of a nonprofit for many years--and having successfully led that organization through several mergers--La Piana understands the realities facing nonprofit managers and board members. His approach to strategic restructuring is pragmatic, and has enabled his consulting firm to become THE experts on nonprofit mergers in the country.

Even if you're just thinking about restructuring your nonprofit, buy this book!! You will save your nonprofit time, money, and energy, as well as protect your own sanity during the process.

Shawn Reifsteck (Masters in Nonprofit Administration)
CEO, Philanthropy Associates

I wrote this book because there was no other resource available to nonprofit leaders that provided a thorough, easily understandable road map to negotiating and executing a merger. As both an executive and a consultant I have been involved with more than 60 nonprofit mergers and have learned what works and what does not in these difficult, emotional undertakings. This workbook provides all the tools you need: decision trees, worksheets, and special tips, to make your merger work. Check it out!

I admit, I've never seen any of the Oh My Goddess anime, and I haven't been reading these books in order, but that doesn't make reading them any less fun. For those of you, like me, who can't manage to get all of these volumes in order, you're in luck. Although this volume (I'm not sure about the others) doesn't have a "the story thus far" section or a section summing up the characters, it's all still easy to follow. This book has the first appearance (I think) of Urd, Belldandy's mischievous sister. Once again, the artwork is gorgeous, and the stories themselves are fun. Very recommended.

This is the 2nd volume of the "Oh My Goddess" manga English translation. We continue where the first volume left off with Belldandy and Keiichi growing closer as their life together continues.

This book is a smaller one and only contains small tales. The first deals with Keiichi's sister Megumi's attempt to find a nice but cheap place to live near Nekomi Tech. The second tale is about Belldandy's self-appointed human rival Sayoko and her attempt to embarrass Belldandy conning her and Keiichi to pose nude for Sayoko's art club.

The third tale is the best as this shows Belldandy's and Keiichi's first date. Very sweet (and a glimps of this is seen in the OAV's opening animation)! The fourth tale centers around a motorcycle race Nekomi Tech Motor Club is in with Keiichi as the racer. The fifth tale has the Motor Club and Art Club joining forces to share a large beach house where Sayoko again attempts to score a victory against Belldandy.

Finally, the last tale has the introduction of Belldandy's elder sister Urd. Urd has been watching the couple for a long time and feels it is time for things to heat up between Belldandy and Keiichi.

Bottom line: The artwork is still in its early stages so it doesn't have the "kawaii" (cute) factor of the OAV series or the "Ah! My Goddess" movie. However, the stories are nicely written and it is an enjoyable read.

I'm a huge fan of the OMG! series, so I look really forward to the release of every graphic novel. When Studio Proteus announced that they were going to release the "lost chapters" of the series I was quite excited, so when the _Wrong Number_ graphic novel was released I snatched it up as quickly as possible. I figured that not too many chapters had been skipped, but boy was I wrong. There was only one chapter in the collection from 1-555-Goddess. It was a nice surprise. When _Leader of the Pack_ was released I figured that it would have a few more of the stories from _1-555-Goddess_, but I was wrong; it only had the second story from 1-555 when Urd arrives into the series. So much of the story was skipped. I guess Studio Proteus wanted to introduce Urd as soon as possible, but it skipped the intrpoductory chapters for Megumi Morisato and my personal favorite Sayoko Mishima. The stories in this collection follow the pattern for many of the otherr episodes. Belldandy and Keiichi's love for one another is trying to blossom, but everyone seems to get in their way; Megumi, Sayoko, the motor club, Urd, etc. We have another race for Belldandy, another plot by Sayoko to embarrass Belldandy, and another Belldandy/Keiichi date where Keiichi tries to further their relationship. Quite standard, but Fujishima works his special magic to make them something special. A nice book for OMG! fans and newcomers alike. Also we find out where that Earth spirit in Megumi's apartment comes from.