THE OUTTOP
It’s Personal Book Review At the Outtop, we believe that effective positive leadership is not just behind the ivory doors of a corporation. It needs to be in our everyday lives, places where we take refuge from the unfathomable going ons in our world today. Places such as a church, a Sunday school room, a classroom, or, more importantly, a home. It is because of this, that we bring you books we believe address these areas and help to overcome these stressful times. We are all in this together! Let’s make a difference!
Meet the Authors
Highlights of the Book
Virginia Ward - Dean and Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry and Leadership at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Reggie Joiner - Founder and CEO of Orange/reThink Group, a non-profit organization. Kristen Ivy - President of Orange.
Chapter 1 - Stop Being So Shallow Being shallow is good some of the time, but not all of the time. Whose a friend of the “Shallow Way?” Religion. The alternative to being shallow? Be personal.
Chapter 2 - Do You Know My Name?
Why Read It’s Personal? To Become a Better Leader The authors use the Zacchaeus story - both his actions and those of Jesus - to show us how to be an effective leader.
To Gain a Greater Understanding Now more than ever children - teenagers and young adults, in this case - need hope in their lives.
To Help Youth Achieve Success We need to be committed to providing solutions that will help create a better tomorrow for everyone.
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As a leader, don’t underestimate the power of knowing someone’s name.
Chapter 3 - Do You Know What Matters to Me? One can’t underestimate the importance of what matters to someone. Once you take the time to truly see what matters to a person, he or she feels relevant in this thing called life.
Chapter 4 - Do You Know Where I Live? The authors suggest leaders understand: Where someone lives physically Where someone lives socially Where someone lives digitally Where someone lives culturally Where someone lives emotionally
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Highlights of the Book (cont.)
TRUST -
Chapter 5 - Do You Know What I’ve Done? There’s a paragraph on page 70 that is important to the reader of this chapter: “When you show up consistently over time to know a kid’s name, interests, and context, you become personal. And when you are personal in this way, you cultivate trust.”
“BOTH POWERFUL AND FRAGILE.”
Chapter 6 - Do You Know What I Can Do?
HOPE
Believing in the abilities of a teenager is so important. They need someone who truly believes in them, who encourages them with the gifts that God has given them.
Chapter 7 - Start With Someone Some leaders believe they have to have a large crowd, a big platform from which to speak. In reality, “if you want what you do to matter more, you might need to become more personal for a few.”
HOPE
HOPE My Recommendation:
There are many good books on leadership. Many that current leaders as well as those just now getting into leadership should read. It’s Personal is no exception. Especially for the small group leaders at church. Especially for the teachers at both public and private schools! I have highlighted at least three or four comments the authors have made on nearly every page. That’s how important and pertinent their messages are for today’s youth. We are living in unprecedented times today. Teenagers and young adults have had to endure much over the last few years. Let’s help them with their future success, whatever that might be. If you’re not sure how to do that, begin by reading It’s Personal. If you think, as a group leader, that you need to sharpen your skills a bit, read It’s Personal! You’ll want to buy copies of the book for other leaders!
The Outtop
404.295.1587
www.theouttop.com