Practicing Greatness
7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders
J-B Leadership Network Series
1. Edition June 2006
192 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Based on his extensive experience as coach and mentor to many
thousands of Christian leaders across a broad spectrum of ministry
settings, Reggie McNeal helps spiritual leaders understand that
they will self-select into or out of greatness. In this important
book, McNeal shows how great spiritual leaders are committed
consciously and intentionally to seven spiritual disciplines,
habits of heart and mind that shape both their character and
competence:
The discipline of self-awareness--the single most
important body of information a leader possesses
The discipline of self-management--handling
difficult emotions, expectations, temptations, mental vibrancy, and
physical well-being
The discipline of self-development--a life-long
commitment to learning and growing and building on one's
strengths
The discipline of mission--enjoying the permissions
of maintaining the sense of God's purpose for your life and
leadership
The discipline of decision-making--knowing the
elements of good decisions and learning from failure
The discipline of belonging--the determination to
nurture relationships and to live in community with others,
including family, followers, mentors, and friends
The discipline of aloneness--the intentional
practice of soul-making solitude and contemplation
Foreword by Ken Blanchard xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction Needed: Great Spiritual Leaders 1
1. The Discipline of Self-Awareness 9
2. The Discipline of Self-Management 35
3. The Discipline of Self-Development 61
4. The Discipline of Mission 81
5. The Discipline of Decision Making 99
6. The Discipline of Belonging 121
7. The Discipline of Aloneness 143
Conclusion Choosing Greatness 161
Notes 163
About the Author 165
Index 167
great spiritual leaders to meet the challenges of leadership as the
church seeks to bring the gospel to a changed world."
-Insights magazine (Sept. 2008)
"Practicing Greatness is a hard-hitting leadership book, not
just a collection of inspirational thoughts."
--from the Foreword by Ken Blanchard, author of The
One-Minute Manager and Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the
Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time
"The depth and breadth of wisdom in this book is just short of
unbelievable. Good leaders aspiring to be great leaders will do
well to read this book and allow it to probe and shape their
lives."
--Bill Easum, Easum, Bandy & Associates
"I have always been challenged by Reggie McNeal's
'right on' insights. And this book is packed with
'right on' insights for any leader wanting to move from
good to great."
--Robert Lewis, pastor and men's fraternity founder,
Fellowship Bible Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
"Someone once taught me a powerful lesson: 'If you are
without discipline, you are without power.' In this
revitalizing work, Reggie has tapped into a power source for all
leaders--disciplines. Grab hold of this book and begin a newly
charged life today!"
--Wayne Cordeiro, New Hope Christian Fellowship O'ahu,
Honolulu, Hawaii; author of Culture Shift: Transforming Your
Church from the Inside Out
"We owe Greatness to God. Reggie McNeal challenges us to this
standard and gives us some practical 'how-tos' in this
clear and compelling new book. I recommend this book for all who
aspire to a meaningful Halftime and Life II."
--Bob Buford, author, Halftime and Finishing
Well; founder and chairman, Leadership Network
