The Big Change

This leadership book is a labor of love in that it explores a new way to be thinking about leadership - a way that is near and dear to my heart. That's because this new way focuses on fostering connection between people, their leadership, and with the company they work for. I spend a lot of my time and energy working within a church culture and the best thing I can imagine receiving from this experience is working with a leader who exemplifies the characteristics I describe in this book. These are the type of characteristics that, as an employee, would allow me the opportunity to enjoy more the work that I do, to thrive at work, to engage with my colleagues on a whole new level, and in the end, be more well-balanced, content, and productive for it. As a leader in my own right, these are also the characteristics that I strive to embrace and to exemplify because I want the people I work with to feel connected to me, to the work we're doing together, and to be the best they can be. We all want connection, we all want to feel valued, and we all want to live a life as stress-free and productive as possible. It's a sad fact, though, that many corporate cultures, as well as small business cultures, are not necessarily focused on fostering a working environment where an employee's wellbeing is paramount. I want to change that. I want to encourage ways to cultivate working environments that are more friendly versus hostile, more genuine versus malevolent, and more open and collaborative versus territorial. A company centered on connection and wellbeing is a stronger company because the ties that bind employees and the leadership together are stronger. And, a stronger company is more apt to weather the tides of market changes, to grow in prosperity, and to build on its successes. Leadership helps drive and foster a connected culture, and that's a good thing for everyone.There are thousands of books, journal articles, blog posts, executive briefs, and tweets on leadership. Leadership is in vogue these days. Academic degree programs in leadership are emerging from everywhere. The International Leadership Association, a professional network association of leadership scholars and practitioners, lists over 2,000 certificates and academic degree programs in leadership alone. There are countless other leadership programs offered through professional development programs, executive coaches and consultants, and university continuing education courses, all dedicated to improving the quality of leadership. However, there is a dearth of literature on leadership that comes from under-represented voices: people of color, women, youth, and non-western voices. I believe that expressions of leadership are all around us, but seldom do we take time to honor and consider their significance. I have spent the latter part of my years researching on leadership and as a Pastor and coach, I am called to live and model its truths. I also conduct leadership seminars, which have afforded me the opportunity to reflect on the practical implications of many of the leadership theories I use in the classroom and the pulpit.