Book Review and Giveaway: Impact by Tim Irwin

About the author:

Dr. Tim Irwin, the author of the New York Times best-selling book Impact: Great Leadership Changes Everything, has been a confidante to thousands of global leaders. He is a favorite guest of Hugh Hewitt and is being featured on a number of Christian radio programs. Irwin sees one central issue anytime a leader “derails”—he believes they have a defect in their “core”, which Irwin says goes beyond the overused term “character”. His new book, Impact, addresses this and gives actionable ways leaders can protect themselves, and better serve their organizations—especially crucial for those of us who serve in ministry and are walking a Christian walk.

My Review:
Since I've heard of several leaders' scandalous failures (even among the Christian community) lately, this book piqued my curiosity. "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan." (Proverbs 29:2) Great leadership is indeed very important. Leaders' decisions affect lives of their followers. We have seen throughout history that good leaders (the author gave an example of Colonel Chamberlain) have made a huge impact. They are trustworthy and inspiring. On the contrary, bad leaders are horrors. Then there are those who start out as good, successful leaders but later change not for the better but for the worse and thus ruin their potential impact. When this happens, most people are shocked. Why? What causes these promising leaders to make such bad choices and head down the path of destruction? Impact explores this issue and digs deep inside to the core. The author points out that leadership failures usually have nothing to do with the leader's competence. The culprit is a crack (or more) in his/her core. A compromised core corrodes and crumbles leaders and their impact.

This book aims to help leaders stay on the right track in order to make a lasting, positive impact and avoid the pitfalls by protecting their core. It challenges us to examine our core (who we really are inside). Problems arise when leaders lack authenticity and accountability. Power and pride is a very dangerous combination. It often corrupts good judgment and ignores moral absolutes. Unregulated power often leads to arrogance and a self-serving agenda. What we believe affects how we behave. Chapter 10 is about Lies Leaders Love. These lies are what usually get leaders into trouble and what they use to justify their wrongdoings. That's why truth is extremely essential. The author quotes several Bible verses from Proverbs. The book includes disciplines that will help guard and strengthen our core. Most chapters end with a "Go Deeper" section to show readers how to evaluate themselves and apply what they have learned.

As a parent, I am accountable to God for the position of influence and impact God has given me upon my children. I do not take my leadership role lightly. My parenting's purpose is to influence my children's hearts to love God and others, to teach & train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to encourage them to be who God made them to be and glorify Him in all they do, to help them embrace an eternal perspective & passion for the Great Commission, to equip & prepare them for the future and launch them out to make an eternal impact in the world. We parents should define our values clearly and live them out consistently. Most character-building lessons are caught, not taught. I found Impact interesting and helpful. It reminded me to regularly check my core and my belief file and to be intentional in my daily living & leading. Parents can instill into their children valuable principles for great leadership such as integrity, humility, self-control, and accountability so that they will be well prepared for the workplace.

You can make an impact with your life whether you're a leader in your family, class, office, organization, community, church, ministry, or small group. If you desire to be an effective leader, check this book out. It's an easy-to-read leadership manual filled with practical ideas and insightful advice. What kind of legacy do you wish to leave? Live and lead accordingly.

"Those who are more likely to stay out of trouble constantly remind themselves of their own vulnerability." (p. 56)

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~Abraham Lincoln

"We may not acknowledge it or even be aware of it, but the truth is we all talk to ourselves." (p. 101)

"Effective self-regulation frees us from the tyranny of our impulses." (p. 147)

"Humility and accountability are the best anecdotes for insulating our core from the negative influences of power." (p. 174)

Website: http://www.drtimirwin.com

Take the personal assessment: http://drtimirwin.net/assessment/impact-assessment

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drtimirwin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtimirwin

 
GIVEAWAY: You can win a copy of this book. Open only to residents in the US and Canada.

Deadline: 5/9 at midnight (Pacific time)
To Enter: Leave a comment here with your email address. Please share what makes a great leader in your opinion.

~"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”