The Soft and Hard Sides of Leadership: How to Avoid Being a Wimp or a Megalomaniac

The hard side of leadership enables us to tackle difficult issues and take a firm stand. The soft side of leadership constantly reminds us that we are dealing with people – free in their choice to come or go. Churches have always experienced a spectrum of leadership – from the easy-going, laid-back pastor to the more autocratic, pushy style of pastor. More recently, we have seen the emergence of polarised leaders. But does a church leader have to be one or the other?In his second book, The Soft and Hard Sides of Leadership: How to Avoid Being a Wimp or a Megalomaniac, Peter Prothero contends that they are two sides of the same coin – and we need both. And when we have both, we have great leadership.Covering six ingredients of a ‘soft and hard’ leader – compassion, contrition, connection, courage, conviction and clarity – The Soft and Hard Sides of Leadership will help you model your leadership on the greatest leader of all, Jesus Christ. The Soft and Hard Sides of Leadership is an amazing book, filled with brilliant insights. My only hope is that it doesn’t get lost in the corner of the bookstore titled, ‘For Leaders Only’. This book drives home the fact that true leadership begins by following Jesus. In other words, the best leaders are the best followers.” – Bill Johnson | Bethel Church | Redding, California