Coming soon · Book Profile
Practicing Greatness 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary
Great spiritual leaders self-select into greatness by consciously and intentionally practicing seven lifelong disciplines that shape both their character and competence.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
Drawing on decades of coaching thousands of Christian leaders, Reggie McNeal argues that greatness in spiritual leadership is not a matter of position, fame, or luck but a self-determined journey earned through the deliberate practice of seven disciplines: self-awareness, self-management, self-development, mission, decision making, belonging, and aloneness. Redefining greatness in the way Jesus did—as humility and service that blesses others and leaves people better off—McNeal liberates leaders from the false belief that ambition is unspiritual and equips them with hard-hitting, practical guidance for developing extraordinary character and exceptional competence over time. Filled with vivid case studies of leaders who thrived and derailed, the book is both an invitation and a challenge to escape self-imposed mediocrity and choose greatness for the sake of God's kingdom and the people leaders serve.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- A spiritual leader—pastor, ministry leader, or leader in any sector—who wants to move beyond being merely good to becoming genuinely great and to make a lasting, positive difference in the lives of the people they lead.
- The problem
- Many leaders derail, burn out, or plateau because they lack self-awareness, self-management, and the disciplines that produce extraordinary character and competence. Leaders feel trapped by others' expectations, haunted by fear and mediocrity, and unsure whether it is even appropriate to aspire to greatness.
- The plan
- Cultivate self-awareness by digging into your family of origin, personal markers, and dark side.
- Practice self-management of emotions, expectations, temptations, health, and money.
- Commit to lifelong learning and build on your God-given strengths.
- Discover and order your life around your mission, call, passion, talent, and personality.
- Make good decisions and debrief them to learn and grow.
- The payoff
- The leader blesses people, inspires and encourages them, and leaves them better off. · The leader is at home with themselves and with God, secure in identity and mission. · The leader experiences meaning, excellence, energy, and intentionality, avoiding burnout and derailment.
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Additional reading
- Learned Optimism · Martin Seligman
Provides the scientific foundation and detailed research behind the book's concepts of learned helplessness and the 'three P's' of negative thinking.
- Death by Meeting · Patrick Lencioni
Cited as a resource for structuring different types of meetings (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly) to enhance connection, focus, and team effectiveness.
- Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality · Dr. Henry Cloud
The author refers to his own work when discussing the components of trust, particularly the concepts of character and positive intent.
- Necessary Endings · Dr. Henry Cloud
The author refers to this book's concepts when discussing the need to address persistent negative patterns and deal with people who resist feedback.
- Built to Last · Jim Collins
The author adopts Collins' concept of 'Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals' (BHAGs) as a key tool for effective strategic planning in the church.
- A Certain Trumpet · Garry Wills
The book's framework of matching different leadership styles to specific societal needs is used as the foundation for the author's chapter on leadership styles within the church.
- Sacred Pathways · Gary Thomas
The author heavily relies on Thomas's concepts to explain how leaders can develop a vital, sustainable, and authentic walk with God by understanding their unique spiritual wiring.
- The One-Minute Manager · Ken Blanchard
The author cites Blanchard's counsel on the importance of relational 'chemistry' when building a team.
- Emotional Intelligence · Daniel Goleman
Goleman's research on emotional self-control is cited to support the critical importance of self-leadership for long-term effectiveness.
- The Age of Paradox · Charles Handy
The book's concept of the Sigmoid (S-Curve) life cycle, which is a foundational mental model for the entire strategic planning process, is drawn from this work.