By: Andy Hale on October 14, 2021
Do you want to lead? Then place a mirror ahead of you and behind you to get a complete perspective of who you indeed are. “Leadership is the activity—any activity—that leads other people more deeply into this full humanity: which enables them to take hold of, and take responsibility for, the life that they, as…
By: Kayli Hillebrand on October 13, 2021
In the first book in The Undefended Leader trilogy, Simon Walker depicts the landscape of the undefended leader in a visual manner that offers the reader concrete and practical application at the end of each chapter. His concept of the undefended leader can boil down to their core identity – they know who they are…
By: Eric Basye on October 13, 2021
Simon Walker, the author of The Undefended Leader, is a professor, writer, and leadership coach committed to developing leaders from all walks of life. In the introduction, he writes, “some of us long – and hope – for a different kind of leadership. We still believe that a leader should say what he means and…
By: Michael Simmons on October 13, 2021
Simon Walker defines a leader as one who takes responsibility for other people. This is curious and counter to Friedman’s definition of leadership which emphasizes self differentiation. Leadership, for Simon, is about who you are, and rather than placing responsibility on the system, Walker believes such weight rests on individuals leaders and their relationships with…
By: Elmarie Parker on October 8, 2021
In 1955 Peter Seger wrote and sang: Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing… Oh, When will you ever learn? Oh, When will you ever learn?[1] In the totality of his song, Seger lamented the enduring reality of war and suffering across our globe, in every age of humankind. “When will you ever…
By: Denise Johnson on October 7, 2021
Edwin Friedman’s A Failure of Nerve outlines the various systems of society, their engagement, functionality and dysfunctionality. Particularly in relationship to the tension between the expression of self and the harmony in the community. His diverse background of experiences provides for a comprehensive look at the role of leadership in the development of mature followers…
By: Jonathan Lee on October 7, 2021
Edwin H. Friedman, in his book A Failure of Nerve, focuses on discussing the root causes and underlying mechanics of ‘failure of nerve’ in leaders. He approached leadership from a different direction of perspective and explained that “leadership is essentially an emotional process rather than a cognitive phenomenon.”[1] While many leadership books discourses on building…
By: Nicole Richardson on October 7, 2021
“No good deed goes unpunished. No good deed goes unresented.” These words are sung by Elphaba in the musical Wicked as she wrestles with her self while facing sabotage to her leadership. Elphaba’s journey through the musical is a fascinating study of leaders working out—or not—self-differentiation in the midst of the chronically anxious community of…
By: Henry Gwani on October 7, 2021
Failure of Nerve may be classified as a classic contribution to social science, particularly the subject of leadership from the perspective of psychology. It seems to align with the sub-discipline of Strengths Psychology, which encourages the discovery and development of inherent strengths, rather than an unhealthy focus on weaknesses. The book is about leadership as…
By: Kayli Hillebrand on October 7, 2021
Several years ago, I had a counselor tell me that many evangelical organizations and churches function like an alcoholic family. It struck a nerve and has stayed with me since. I’ve shared it and processed the implications of it with several members of leadership at the Christian institution I work at, as I can see…
By: Roy Gruber on October 7, 2021
“So, should we help them or not?” A Church Board member charged with discerning requests and disbursing a benevolence fund to meet legitimate needs waited for the other six members of the Board to respond on the Zoom meeting. A family who previously sought financial help from the church recently submitted another request. A job…
By: Troy Rappold on October 7, 2021
Edwin W. Friedman’s book, “A Failure of Nerve” is unique in the non-fiction, leadership genre and its 10th anniversary reprinting stands as a testament to the book’s impact. Friedman had the experience of clinical practice coupled with the opportunity to teach on the theories of leadership and management at conferences and universities across the globe.…
By: Denise Johnson on October 6, 2021
The life of an overseas field worker is like the constant walking across a waterbed. It isn’t very stable or steady. But overtime and with practice one gains a sort of sea legs that is able to adjust to almost anything. There is almost an expectation of flight delays, travel challenges, and unanticipated changes to…
By: Eric Basye on October 6, 2021
Edwin Friedman was a man of many hats – an ordained rabbi, family therapist, and leadership consultant, to name a few. As part of his work, A Failure of Nerve was birthed to give insight into the leadership crisis he witnessed throughout his work. Two decades later, this book is as relevant now as it…
By: Andy Hale on October 6, 2021
As I stated in my topical expertise essay last year, “If Murray Bowen was the Father of Family Systems Theory, then Edwin H. Friedman was its Great Rabbi. Friedman, an ordained rabbi and family therapist, applied the family systems theory to the church and synagogue as an emotional unit.” In his uncompleted work, “A Failure…
By: Michael Simmons on October 5, 2021
Edwin Friedman’s work A Failure of Nerve offers a paradigm shift in the approach to healthy leadership. Responding to the cultural inflation of empathy, Friedman suggest that healthy systems are cultivated by self-differentiated leaders who value maturity over data, instinct over technique and individual responsibility over empathy. Undifferentiated leaders perpetuate systems of anxiety, reactivity, and triangulated…
By: Elmarie Parker on September 21, 2021
As my Mom and I sit vigil with my Dad, accompanying him on his death journey, I’ve found myself drawn to the Garden of Gethsemane. All four Gospels include narratives about Jesus’ time with his disciples in this garden, especially following Christ’s last supper with the disciples as he goes to pray prior to his…
By: Michael Simmons on September 16, 2021
St. Augustine’s work in The City of God is nearly too much to take in, even if captured through a panoramic lens. He seems to nearly take on the entire Roman empire and, by extension, the entire Western struggle to integrate the secular and profane, the church and state. I’m struck by his ability to think…
By: Eric Basye on September 16, 2021
Since first entering seminary and learning about the great philosopher St. Augustine, The City of God had been on my reading list. Whether it was due to the sheer number of pages or the complexity of his writing, twenty years passed before I first tackled this book earlier this summer. Little did I know at…
By: Nicole Richardson on September 16, 2021
Original Sin. Lots of sin or sin in moderation; how one understands it (or not) and applies it to humanity (or not) is at the heart of Alan Ryan’s interpretation of Augustine’s “City of God”. Ryan’s undergirding focus in his book “On Augustine” is tethered to Augustine’s theology as it effects his views of…
