Title – You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader

Author – Mark Sanborn

Publisher – Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press, 2006

Sanborn sprinkles biblical principles throughout this little book, stressing that servant leadership is far different than a “title” top-down management.  At the core of his explanation is six principles:

• the power of self-mastery
• the power of focus
• power with people
• the power of persuasive communication
• the power of execution
• the power of giving

The topic of focus emphasized the activity of squirrels, the dangers of drifting, drifting vs. waiting, the importance of agendas, prioritization, and living intentionally.  Identify your “MVP” activities (Most Valuable and Profitable).

In the section, “power with people”, Sanborn stresses character, competence, and connection.  And in establishing character, he quotes Tom Peters,

If you don’t know something, say so.

Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

Underpromise and overdeliver.

Be careful to create realistic expectations.

In regards to the power of giving, the author introduced me to Bob Haverstick and his non-profit, Never Too Late.  I think it would be cool to do something like this. A great, big-hearted idea.