David L. McKenna, The Leader’s Legacy. Barclay Press, 2006.
Referenced in: Ministry Transitions and Interim Ministry
From the Publisher
“Succession begins before we assume a position of leadership, not when we get ready to leave it,” writes David McKenna. Instead of focusing narrowly on how a leader can maximize his or her role, McKenna illuminates a leader’s place within the grand scope of an organization’s history and mission. “A leader,” McKenna informs, “builds upon the past, gives momentum to the present, and leaves the promise of greater things to come.” To illustrate this “Succession Principle,” McKenna points to “The Greatest Succession Story Ever Told”-that of John the Baptist preparing the way and then stepping aside for Jesus. Artfully weaving together the example of John the Baptist and wisdom gleaned from his own 50 years as pastor, educator, and executive in higher education, McKenna lays out 12 succinct rules of succession, guiding both new and experienced leaders from topics such as: building upon your organization’s history and contributing to its ongoing story, perceiving the signals that tell when it’s time to step aside, transferring loyalty from yourself to your successor, managing your emotions during your transition, rejoicing in a job well done and celebrating your successor, letting history be your judge. McKenna shows us how to be servant-leaders who prepare the way for greater things.
Contents
- Remembering Our Story
- Reading Our Culture
- Understating Our Life Cycle
- Accepting Our Role
- Timing Out Leave
- Completing Out Task
- Announcing Our Decision
- Celebrating Our Successor
- Making Our Exit
- Managing Our Emotions
- Letting History Be Our Judge
- Leaving Our Legacy
- Epilogue: Passing the Baton
- Appendix: The Cycle of Succession Revisited
- Notes
About the Author
David L. McKenna served for 33 consecutive years as president of Spring Arbor University, Seattle Pacific University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. In a consulting role he continues to use his lifelong study of leadership principles. Becoming Nehemiah: Leading with Significance and Never Blink in a Hailstorm and Other Lessons on Leadership are recent titles among the many books he has written. He and his wife, Janet, live in Kirkland, Washington.
About the Author
David L. McKenna served for 33 consecutive years as president of Spring Arbor University, Seattle Pacific University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. In a consulting role he continues to use his lifelong study of leadership principles. Becoming Nehemiah: Leading with Significance and Never Blink in a Hailstorm and Other Lessons on Leadership are recent titles among the many books he has written. He and his wife, Janet, live in Kirkland, Washington.
***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
See Resource Guides on Over 100 Areas of Ministry Leadership: