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Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton

Unfortunately, most of us have little sense of our talents and strengths, much less the ability to build our lives around them. Instead, guided by our parents, by our teachers, by our managers and by psychology's fascination with pathology, we become experts in our weaknesses and spend our lives trying to repair these flaws, while our strengths lie dormant and neglected.

Marcus Buckingham, co-author of the national bestseller, First, Break All the Rules, and Donald O. Clifton, Chair of the Gallup International Research & Education Center, have created a revolutionary program to help readers identify their talents, build them into strengths, and enjoy consistent, near-perfect performance. At the heart of the book is the Internet-based Clifton StrengthsFinder Profile, the product of a 25-year, multimillion-dollar effort to identify the most prevalent human strengths. The program introduces 34 dominant "themes" with thousands of possible combinations, and reveals how they can best be translated into personal and career success. In developing this program, Gallup has conducted psychological profiles with over two million individuals to help readers learn how to focus and perfect these themes.

So how does it work? This book contains a unique identification number that allows you access to the Clifton StrengthsFinder Profile on the Internet. This Web-based interview analyzes your instinctive reactions and immediately presents you with your five most powerful signature themes. Once you know which of the 34 themes -- such as Achiever, Activator, Empathy, Futuristic, or Strategic -- you lead with, the book with show you how to leverage them for powerful results at three levels: for your own development, for your success as a manager, and for the success of your organization.

The Serving Leader, by Ken Jennings and John Stahl-Wert

The second book in The Ken Blanchard Series - selected, with a foreword by Ken Blanchard, The Serving Leader takes a unique and practical "action approach" to servant leadership -- a popular and widely espoused concept that figures prominently in the writings of Ken Blanchard, Peter Senge, Stephen Covey, Peter Block, and many others.

Using a compelling story format with highly sympathetic characters, Ken Jennings and John Stahl-Wart make servant leadership accessible to a wide audience. At a time of increasing concern about ethics at the top, The Serving Leader makes the case for an approach to leadership that is both more moral and more effective than the ruthless, anything-for-the-bottom-line approach taken by many that has brought disgrace -- and often ruin -- to many once-mighty organizations.

The Serving Leader is the most practical guide available to implementing servant leadership, as well as being a book about the personal journey of growth that real leadership requires.

Servant First - Readings and Reflections on the Practice of Servant Leadership
Editor, Grace Preedy Barnes

Servant First is a workbook designed to enable readers to become more effective in the practice of Servant Leadership. Each chapter is followed by group learning tasks and individual reflection activities, creating a complete curriculum for students and instructors in this area of thought. The collection of articles is included below:

Discovering "Servant" in Servant Leadership, by Kevin W. Mannoia

Summary: The term servant leadership is not so much a reference to a management style as it is a reference point to the identity of th leader.

Author: Kevin W. Mannoia, Ph.D., is a Professor of Ministry and Chaplain to graduate programs and faculty at Azusa Pacific University. Having grown up in Brazil, he is a world Christian and has served in church leadership positions as a pastor, superintendent, bishop, as well as president of the National Association of Evangelicals, and most recently Dean of Theology. His three books and various articles convey his priority to leadership formation and Kingdom principles.

A Servant Leadership Definition and Model, by Jim Laub

Summary: If servant leadership is a viable paradigm for today's organizations, it is critical to define it and visualize how it operates in organizational life.

Author: Jim Laub Ed.D is Dean of MacArthur School of Leadership at palm Beach Atlantic University where he is also Professor of Leadership Studies. He is the president of the OLAgroup, creator of the Organizational Leadership Assessment (OLA) and author of several leadership training programs.

Empowering People for Leadership, by Grace Preedy Barnes

Summary: The practice of empowerment as stewardship places information, resources, and power in the hands of those who are closest to the ones being helped or served.

Author: Grace Preedy Barnes, Ph.D., is Professor of Organizational Leadership and program director of The Operation Impact at Azusa Pacific University which offers the MAOL degree program worldwide. She has taught in more than 25 countries and traveled to many more along the 50+ faculty who travel to teach up to 600 students per day.

The Triangular Dimension of Servant Leadership, by Christine Wood

Summary: The three-fold nature of servant leadership can be best illustrated by a triangular illustration representing functional leadership, relational leadership, and contextual leadership.

Author: Christine Wood, MA in Organizational Leadership, is an author, consultant, and educator. She is an adjunct professor in leadership studies at Azusa Pacific University where she teaches both nationally and internationally. She is currently engaged in developing leadership curriculums, Bible studies and outreach programs for Christian organizations.

The Servant Leader as Coach, by Marv Gibbs

Summary: For the true leader, in a crisis context, priority must be placed on the needs of the person being served and serving takes precedent over leading.

Author: Marv Asfahl Gibbs holds two master's degrees and has lived in Latin America for 30 years, serving much of that time as Latin American Director for Young Life International. he lived with his family in Brazil, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. He is currently writing his dissertation at Argosy University completing his doctorate in Organizational Leadership while living in the Los Angeles area.

The Dance of Servant Leadership, by Judy Gomoll

Summary: In Jesus' upside down approach to leadership, he demonstrates a servanthood that is distinct in its motivation: a simple desire to serve because of an unconditional love.

Author: Judy Gomoll serves on the National Staff Training Team for The Navigators as a mentor, coach, and writer. Currently she is passionate about writing a new spiritual formation Bible study series for a post modern, pluralistic audience. She holds a master's degree in organizational leadership from Azusa Pacific University.

Standing Upright in the Wind: Servant Leader Choices, by Keith D. Walker

Summary: Servant leaders can find their balance when they employ ethical discernment, ethical determination, ethical deliberation, and ethical diligence.

Author: Keith Walker, Ph.D. is Professor of Educational Administration and Leadership at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. Keith is an avid leadership researcher and loves to facilitate learning and dialogue about leadership and followership. His current interests revolve around notions of fostering trust and hope, as well as leading in the new economy, personal and spiritual lives of leaders, and building our capacity for authentic and appreciative learning communities.

The Posture of a Servant Leader, by Tim Gibson

Summary: When it comes to walking among those we presume to serve, it is critical to assume a correct posture -- that is, a learning, serving, and storytelling posture.

Author: Tim Gibson, B.A., M.Div., serves as the executive director of World Servants International, a global partnership that focuses on transformational experiences for individuals and communities through providing short-term serving and learning opportunities. Tim has facilitated serving and learning experiences in the U.S. and in over 30 countries around the world.

A Leadership Theory for the Commons of Alaska, by James Duncan

Summary: Based on a reading of Alaska's constitution, the theory of servant leadership has potential to work for the state of Alaska and other commonly managed states and countries.

Author: James D. Duncan has been an Alaskan pastor for over 25 years. He graduated form Northwest University and has completed an M.A. in organizational leadership from Azusa Pacific University. Jim and his wife have traveled to over 20 different countries ministering in cross-cultural settings. Jim is involved in Alaska leadership as the presbyter and serves the state as a member of teh Governor's Advisory Board on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Authoritarian Versus Servant Leader Missionaries, by William N. Harris

Summary: In the context of cross-cultural church planting, authoritarian leadership is counter productive to the long-term development of a church when compared to the Servant Leadership approach.

Author: William Harris lies in Siberia and serves as a career missionary with InterAct Ministries, mentoring Russian and Sakha church leaders. He holds three Masters degrees in the areas of Communications, Intercultural Studies and Leadership. he is fluent in Russian and has authored three books with a focus on American/Russian cultural differences.

Servant Leadership - A Needed Z-axis for Two-Dimensional Leadership Thinking, by Bill Millard

Summary: True servant leadership is a mindset - a paradigm - that impacts every type of leadership style a leader may choose to adopt.

Author: Bill Millard has researched, written, and spoken concerning servant leadership since the 1980s. He currently is the Executive Director for the Center for Life Calling and Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University and an Associate Professor of Leadership. he earned his doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. Bill has broad work experience in corporations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, small businesses and an entrepreneurial startup of two of his own companies, which he continues to oversee.

Developmental Issues in Servanthood: Implications for Training and Development, by Ray Rood

Summary: The major developmental issues of the second half of life can be framed by questions concerning meaning and purpose and, ultimately, choosing to serve out of one's own identity.

Author: Raymond Rood is president and senior consultant of Human Technologies International, a change management-consulting firm, and has consulted or taught in more than 30 countries. In his own words, he "helps organizations and individuals to dream and achieve great dreams."

The Servant Leadership Marriage: Principles of Servant Leadership for Healthy Relationships and Marriages, by Kimberly Battle-Walters Denu

Summary: Healthy marriages aren't the product of chance but the daily practice of servanthood and sacrificial leadership.

Author: Kimberly Battle-Walters Denu, Ph.D., is a Professor of Social Work at Azusa Pacific University. She is also and ordained minister who has done ministry and service in the United States and six of the seven continents of the world. She was a Fulbright Scholar to South Africa and has published int he areas of ethnic, familial, and gender issues within global settings.

The Art of Finishing Well: Paul as Servant Leader, by Grace Preedy Barnes

Summary: Following Paul's formula will enable us to initiate effective leadership pathways and to finish well.

Author: Grace Preedy Barnes, Ph.D. is Professor of Organizational Leadership and Program Director of Operation Impact at Azusa Pacific University, which offers the MAOL degree program worldwide. She has taught in more than 25 countries and traveled to many more along with the 50+ faculty who travel to teach up to 600 students per year.

LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENTS

Objective feedback is beneficial in our personal and professional growth and development. Through the Forum you will have access to the following personal and organizational assessments.

Strengths Finder Assessment

The Clifton StrengthsFinder: a Revolutionary Tool for Developing Human Potential
The foundation of Gallup Consulting's strengths management practice is the Clifton StrengthsFinder, the product of a 25-year, multimillion dollar effort to identify the most prevalent human talents -- the building blocks of a strong and productive life.

Gallup Consulting conducted extensive research into the nature of talents, or recurring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that can be productively applied. The research revealed 34 themes of talent that are indicative of success. The Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment tool measures a person's talent in each of these 34 themes and then reveals his or her five most dominant themes, or "Signature Themes." It also reveals that person's entire sequence of 34 themes in order of dominance. Individuals who focus on their Signature Themes -- their areas of greatest talent -- have the best opportunity to build strengths and become more successful; the full theme sequence provides insights into their remaining themes and the talents they offer.

Initiating Organizational Transformation: An Assessment of Readiness

Developed by Human Technologies International assesses leadership in four areas: reality, vision, ethics and courage. This assessment includes a self assessment for the leader and an organizational assessment completed by team members. The assessment provides feedback in the four areas.

Vision – the ability to see the larger perspective and think big and new as it relates to who and what one leads.
Reality -- to see the larger perspective and think big and new as it relates to who and what one leads.
Ethics -- The ability to care for, treat fairly and develop those affected by one’s leadership.
Courage -- the ability to initiate, act and risk in one’s leadership.

Organizational Life Stage Assessment

This assessment, developed by the Fieldstone Alliance, helps you discover the life stage of your organization based on seven areas of development - governance, staff leadership, finance, administrative systems, staffing, products and services, and marketing. X Factor Consulting will provide each forum member access to the Organizational Life Stage Assessment and provide a feedback report. The report helps you plan for the future, benchmark your nonprofit against common growth trends and identify areas of strength and pinpoint issues for improvement.