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A Christian Approach
to Organizational Leadership
by Dr. Kurt Senske |
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Reviewer's Choice: 06/14/2003 Executive Values: A Christian Approach to Organizational
Leadership Writing in the context of Sept. 11 and the corporate scandals of Enron, et al., Senske offers a solid approach to leadership development for Christians. Being a successful business leader and faithful Christian are not mutually exclusive. Rather, the two go hand in hand. He persuasively argues that Christian leaders can and do lead lives of tremendous service and significance in the workforce. Christian service is not a Sunday-only affair. It is 24/7. The organizing principle of the book is the Golden Rule. Jesus instructs his followers in the Sermon on the Mount, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you ..." (Matthew 7:12). The Golden Rule of Leadership is coupled with the premise that the organization must be preserved when it is offering a product or service of value. Drawing on personal experience and literature on leadership, Senske offers practical, concrete steps and examples on how to create a positive organizational culture, develop leadership teams, retain employees, and engage in strategic planning with vision and mission Leadership always involves challenging and painful decisions.
Do we trade short-term gains for long-term success? Would a Christian
leader move the company or manufacturing plant overseas to use a less
expensive labor force? Should a Christian leader lay off employees or
terminate underperforming employees? How do leaders determine when it
is time to leave the organization and let someone else take over the reins?
Senske answers these and many more difficult questions. The issues he
raises and the answers he gives are consistent with the Golden Rule of
Leadership. J.Z. |
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| "In Executive
Values, Kurt Senske persuades us that the wisest business strategy may
simply be the decision to respect and obey Jesus Christ on Monday morning
and every day of our lives." —U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay |
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| "This book
couldn't come at a better time. Self-professed Christian corporate executives
have been cooking the books, breaking the law, and enriching themselves
in the process. Kurt Senske's message is a powerful reminder that managing
and leading with Christian values means more than just attending church
on Sunday." —Gov. Michael S. Dukakis |
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| "Executive
Values is a strong testimony to Kurt Senske's style of positive, servant
leadership ministry that focuses on faith in the Lord and the gifts that
god had given his people. Kurt's faith is transparent throughout this resource,
which is a strong compilation of research, anecdotes, and reflections. Executive
Values stands for 1) Easter Victory; 2) Energy and Vigor; 3) Enlightened
Vision. Thanks, Kurt, for sharing your faith, your experiences, your faith
story. It is a valuable new resource for executives and others 'doing well
by doing good' throughout the world." —Dr. Richard W. Bimler, speaker, author, and president of Wheat Ridge Ministries, Chicago |
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| "Dr. Senske
has written a very inspiring, thought-provoking book on organizational leadership.
His notes indicate a serious and complete study of considerable background
information on a much-needed subject for modern society. I found his treatment
of the elements required for a 'balanced' life to be particularly rewarding." —Merle L. Borchelt, energy consultant and former CEO, Central & South West Corporation (now American Electric Power) |
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"Dr. Senske has written a very readable book containing
a rich assortment of introspective personal assessments, useful illustrations
and examples, wise counsel, mature reflections based upon practical experiences,
review of some of the most important current literature on the subject
of leadership, and insight and guidance gleaned from biblical materials.
The content of this book will help to motivate individuals to practice
the Golden Rule of Leadership." |
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"Executive Values illustrates very well that
doing the right thing is best for business. This book will help change
the lives of many readers for the better." |
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| "This important
book will move you into a different level of thinking—one of a spiritual
perspective and feeling—so necessary in future leadership." —Richard J. Leider, founding principal, The Inventure Group and author, Repacking Your Bags |
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| "Senske
has truly captured the essence of effective executive leadership by incorporating
time-tested Christian values with effective current business practices.
He draws upon external management research, solid biblical references, as
well as his significant professional experience to create a 'must read'
for the successful modern day manager." —John P. McDaniel, CEO, MedStar Health |
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| "In these
times of questionable accounting practices and management indiscretion,
Dr. Senske offers a practical, concise, Christian approach to living out
our values in the workplace, while at the same time achieving balance in
our personal lives. Christians who lead by practicing the Golden Rule will
indeed make a difference in the lives they lead, the companies they manage,
and the people they serve." —Bruce Nicholson, president and CEO, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans |
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| "'Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you'—a simple statement of values
recommended by the author to the business leaders of today. If this could
have been the prevailing attitude in employer-employee relationships in
the recent past . . . what a difference! A valuable and timely message for
anyone who has the responsibility of managing people." —Paul D. Schrage, Sr. Ex. VP McDonald's Corp. (Retired) |
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| "Executive
Values is a great mix of insights drawn from management literature,
concrete examples garnered from a mix of industries, and Senske's own rich
experience seen through the lens of his faith. When leaders root their human
relationships and business decisions in enduring faith values, their work
is more effective and their lives are more congruent." —Jill Schumann, President and CEO, Lutheran Services in America. |
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| "Here you
find critical management principles made even stronger by the application
of Christian values in the workplace presented by an author that practices
this powerful mix every day in his own successful enterprise. This book
is not just a must for managers but should be read by church leaders, pastors
and teachers who minister to and counsel members of their congregations
who live in the world of business." —Roger G. Wheeler, lead director and vice-chairman, Thrivent Financial For Lutherans, a Fortune 300 company |
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| "Kurt Senske
reminds us that for organizational leaders, ethical values must be the bottom
line. Drawing on his own experience and other real-life examples, Dr. Senske
shows that living out the Golden Rule at the personal and organizational
level is not only the right thing to do, but it can also provide a steady
and powerful course through the turbulent waters of change. All who seek
God's guidance in applying Christian faith to daily workplace decisions
will find a nutritious meal of food-for-thought in this book." —Kathryn Wolford, president, Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore |
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| Publishers Weekly Review |
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Dr. Kurt Senske LSSS P.O. Box 140767 Austin TX, 78714 512-706-7514 senske@executivevalues.com Copyright 2002 Executive Values. All rights reserved.
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