Eddie Hammett, James R. Pierce, and Steven Devane, Making Shifts Without Making Waves: A Coach Approach to Soulful Leadership (TCP Leadership Series). Chalice Press, 2009.
Referenced in: Overcoming Change Resistance, Creating Change Readiness
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
I often tell my students that any book in The Columbia Partnership Leadership Series will likely be one of the best on the topic. It is no different in this case. If you are a church leader who realizes the need to build a cadre of other leaders who can help you facilitate healthy transformation, this is a great proactive tool. It presents a way of creating a more change-receptive culture.
The authors build on years of experience as consultant/coaches. They assume the postmodern context of turbulent changes affecting all of society, churches included. They suggest the need is soulful leadership, one that is cultural aware and spiritually discerning, thus able to follow their soul in making decisions (they list thirteen characteristics of soulful leadership on page 3). The path they offer toward such leadership is the coach approach, where a leader covenants with a few key people in the congregation who show the most enthusiasm for change. They are coached, and then enlisted for coaching others.
This is not necessarily the best strategy for facilitating a specific change in a time and place, but it is good for four situations:
- If you are trying to create a sense of urgency about needed changes.
- If you want to begin the work of creating a change-oriented culture long-term.
- If you are in a transition stage and experience the in-between time often referred to as the neutral zone, this is a good time for reflection, meditation, and conceiving of changes that matter.
- If your staff, elders, or governing board are coachable, this is a good text to consult for an approach to building a change-oriented leadership.
There are indeed other uses for this text, and it deserves a good perusal for insight into the change process generally. Its main value, however, is described above.
From the Publisher
In an age of storms created by fast-paced lives, an unpredictable economy, population diversity, family life, and church/denominational challenges, leaders and organizations are needing new skills and strategies to deal with these changes. Making Shifts without Making Waves addresses the fears and aimlessness many organizations and leaders face when dealing with transition and change.
About the Authors
Edward H. Hammett, PCC, is a Professional Certified Coach through International Coaching Federation, prolific best-selling author, conference leader, partner with The Columbia Partnership and affiliated with Hollifield Leadership Center and Coach Approach Ministries. He is a proven church and denominational leader for over 25 years. He is the author of Spiritual Leadership in a Secular Age: Building Bridges Instead of Barriers and Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60.
James R. Pierce is a speaker, author, trainer, certified coach and consultant with McGhee Productivity Solutions with more than 20 years of experience in business development and organizational behavior. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he has great passion and insight for helping organizations dealing with change management and transitions.
***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.***
Related Areas
See Other Resources on Change and Transition in Churches:
See Resource Guides on Over 100 Areas of Ministry Leadership: