The Ascent of a Leader How Ordinary Relationships Develop Extraordinary Character and InfluenceA Leadership Network Publication

by Thrall, Bill; McNicol, Bruce; McElrath, Ken

• ISBN13: 9780787947668
• ISBN10: 0787947660
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-10-06
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

A Leadership Network Publication Become the leader people are proud to follow by opening yourself to the influences that develop character: Anduring relationships with friAnds, family, and God.Solidly based on Christian values, this practical, visionary, and hope-filled book guides readers through a step-by-step process for developing both personal character and the network of important relationships that enable character to win out, even in the face of setbacks, adversity, and temptations to take short cuts. Leadership is about character, the authors assert, and character weaves values like integrity, honesty, and selfless service into the fabric of our lives, organizations, and cultures. The Ascent of a Leader is written for ordinary people-mothers, husbands, bosses, secretaries, pastors, teachers, and students-who want to develop extraordinary character, find and follow God's plan for their lives, and lead others where they need to go. We all have innate leadership potential. To maximize it, we must do much more than develop performance-based skills, the authors assert. We must consciously choose who and what we allow to influence us, find and develop our humility, and build Anduring relationships with colleagues, family, friAnds, and God. They offer engaging real-life examples to show how we can grow into our true potential as leaders and inspire us to "make a difference in the 21st century-in our families, our communities, our companies, our government, and even our world." With a foreword by Ken Blanchard.

Author Biography

BILL THRALL A former church leader and staff elder, Bill Thrall serves as leadership mentor for Leadership Catalyst, Inc. (LCI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to igniting character development in current and emerging leaders. BRUCE MCNICOL brings international experience in coaching leaders and serves as LCI's president. KEN MCELRATH is director of marketing and product development of LCI.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	vii	(2)
Foreword	ix	(2)
Ken Blanchard
Preface	xi
Introduction	1	(6)
1. A Different Ladder to Success	7	(6)
2. Big Leaders on Short Ladders	13	(12)
3. Creating Environments That Uphold and Empower Us	25	(18)
4. Nurturing Relationships That Ground and Sustain Us	43	(18)
5. The First Rung: Stepping Up Through an Act of Trust	61	(14)
6. The Second Rung: Choosing Vulnerability	75	(16)
7. The Third Rung: Aligning with Truth	91	(18)
8. The Fourth Rung: Paying the Price	109	(14)
9. Chutes and Leaders: Stories from the Fourth Rung	123	(14)
10. The Fifth Rung: Discovering Your Destiny	137	(12)
11. Keeping Your Balance: Seven Challenges of the Fifth Rung	149	(18)
12. Becoming the Kind of Person Others Want to Follow	167	(16)
Notes	183	(6)
References	189	(4)
The Authors	193	(2)
About Leadership Network	195	(2)
Index	197