Practicing Greatness

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

About Leadership Network ix 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