Book Review: Finding Your Leadership Style

As my time at university comes to a close and I start looking toward the future with eager eyes, I've ended up, amongst my regular reading, perusing a few books on leadership. Compared to what else I'm reading, the subject does not yet involve a large section of my library or interest - but occasionally one comes across  a book that is rather different, and worth highlighting. Provided very kindly by SPCK, "Finding your Leadership Style" by Keith Lamdin is such a book - a worthy addition to my library and an interesting book on its own.


Part of SPCK's 'Library of Ministry', this book is the culmination of the authors serious experience in the field - according to the back of the book, Lamdin was a Baptist Minster, then Oxford Diocese's Director of Training, and is currently the Principal of Sarum College - where he heads up the development of leadership training. The book takes in trends from both Christian and non-Christian perspectives on leadership - with the standby of Bill Hybels' Willow Creek Conferences, and other, more esoteric interjections.


The book is a slim, 115 page overview of different kinds of leadership styles - and is a useful aid for the inquisitive soul in working out what kind of leader one is. The first two chapters explain how this works - before launching into the six kinds of leaders that Lamdin thinks drive the Church forward and sustain it. The final chapter is about taking the strain of leadership - though it does not entirely bring together all the ideas that are expressed here.


The six types of leader that Lamdin identifies and develops are; Monarch, Warrior, Servant, Elder, Contemplative and Prophet. To summarise what each is would be to remove any point in your buying the book - but suffice to say that these are valid and useful sets in which to work. Lamdin observes that the Church tends to be driven by the first two - Monarchs and Warriors - which will not be sustainable long term. The other types have definitely existed in the past - and must do so again. Developing a range of leadership styles, according to this book (and this is a sentiment that this blogger would echo), is essential for the growth and maintenance of the Church.


In conclusion, this is a useful and interesting little book. With Lamdin's experience and quirky base idea, it stands out from other books on leadership, particularly Christian leadership, and is a worthwhile buy/read for anyone considering leadership in a Church context. It's available now from SPCK.