The Softer Side of Leadership (eBook)

“A big title or position will only get you so far. Leaders who truly influence are the ones who rise to the top through these softer skills of leadership. Gene Habecker does a masterful job of explaining these intangibles of leadership that are essential. These skills are the reason that he has been so beloved throughout his career and why he has been able to lead at such high levels. This book is extremely insightful, and these skills are non-negotiable for anyone who wants to reach their full leadership potential.”

Heather Larson, Former Lead Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois

“I needed this book. I needed the vivid reminders, the fresh insights and the compelling perspectives. Frankly, I don’t ever remember reading a book on leadership that I didn’t want to put down. Until this one. One chapter after another provided conviction, grace, and hope. They were a magnet to my heart, water to a thirsty soul. Gene Habecker has been a leader I’ve respected for many years. His insights are tested and true. Honesty, humility, and wisdom mark each page. Prepare to be inspired.”

Dan Wolgemuth, President/CEO, Youth for Christ

“There are many good business books that answer the question: How is great leadership experienced? Topics might range from how to build a great team, to the importance of clear strategic direction, to operational excellence, to a myriad of like topics. The Softer Side of Leadership addresses a different issue: How is mature leadership developed? The book is a robust exploration of the deep interior work necessary to be a leader of substance. The ongoing disciplines that yield secure, wise, and centered leadership are counterintuitive. But they feel right and they bring good. We need this brand of leadership. We need this book.”

Thomas Addington, PhD, Head of Company, Givington’s

“This book will go with me when I travel and stay on my desk when I am at home. It will be a resource to me and one to share with others working to combine the soft and hard skills required for effective leadership. In my 45 years in academic medicine, I have worked with many bright people and almost none of them have failed because they lacked the hard skills. Almost all leadership failures I have observed, and there have been many over the years, have resulted from the lack of the soft skills Gene unpacks. While others have sprinkled biblical quotes throughout their work to achieve some measure of spiritual credibility, Gene not only has integrated Biblical truth with leadership wisdom, he has demonstrated that biblical truth is the basis for such wisdom. This is not a casual read. It will require reflection, and this will require time, or as Gene writes, some sacred space. A commitment to finding such space is important and reading this book will make this worth the effort.”

R. Dale Lefever, PhD, Organizational Consultant and Emeritus Faculty, University of Michigan Medical School

“Peter Drucker invented management science by making a simple but profound case: managers are needed to make knowledge effective. My friend Gene Habecker makes a similar case for human flourishing. In order for organizations, and indeed societies, to thrive, leaders must develop the soft skills of employees to ensure highest and best use of hard skills. This book will show you how.”

Jay Hein, President, Sagamore Institute, and former director, the White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives

“The author demonstrates true soft skills of leadership in his life. We saw this as his colleagues on the Global Board of the United Bible Societies (UBS) and some of us, also under his leadership as the President of the UBS Executive Board. We all could not believe how humble he was, and yet, at the same time, he was President of the American Bible Society. He made us feel important and appreciated. To me, this is the summary of true soft skills, so ably explained in this book. This book is enjoyable to read and provides helpful, practical lived-life experiences. I could not put down this book once I started reading it. Many will gain from reading it.”

Ambassador Dr. Mary M. Khimulu, MBS; Former Kenya Ambassador/ Permanent Delegate of Kenya to UNESCO, Paris

“I am grateful to Gene Habecker for writing a book like this. I found that it pulled me in. I had simply wanted to read it from cover to cover but couldn’t do that. It touched me deeply and I needed to meditate on each chapter. I began to use it during my morning devotional time, which I never do with any book. I found that what was written was deeply spiritual and after reading each chapter, I needed to evaluate myself and my actions and take note of changes needed. Absorb chaos, emit peace, give hope, forgive, be a great follower to lead, Sabbath rest, listen, and love. This book was a great check-up and an encouragement for me to do better. I have a small group of books, among the many I read, that I buy to share with others. This one will be among them.”

Morgan Jackson, Director, Faith Comes by Hearing

“Dr. Gene Habecker’s book appeals to leaders who are dissatisfied with the canned MBA approach to leadership. He persuasively discusses the seemingly less important aspects of leadership, those soft skills that underlie and reveal a leader’s character and sustain his or her organizational effectiveness. Drawing on a lifetime of experiences, including candid revelation of his own mistakes, Habecker illustrates the power of quality interactions with people. In serving with him on a board of trustees, I have observed Dr. Habecker lead a university through a series of crises with exceptional competence. At critical junctures, his embodiment of ‘qualitative skills, practices, habits, disciplines, and attitudes that characterize how people interact and behave with one another’ was subjected to public scrutiny, and distinguished by remarkable approval. Drawing not only on wisdom forged through his successes and failures, Dr. Habecker generously includes insights from delightfully variegated sources. I enthusiastically recommend The Softer Side of Leadership for those who are ready and willing to lead from the inside out.”

Paige Comstock Cunningham, JD, PhD, Executive Director, The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity, Trinity International University

“This is not a theoretical book; most importantly, it is a greatly needed practical and personal one based on real and meaningful experience. As Gene rightly points out, this is a book not about leadership but as leadership. Gene shares some unique and powerful insights drawn from his extensive and successful leadership of two universities and an international faith-based organization, places where he has served together with his very special wife and partner Marylou. For leaders, and those aspiring to be leaders, this is indeed excellent and essential reading.”

Roberto Laver, SJD, Founder/Director, FIDES, former World Bank Senior Counsel, and Harvard Law School Visiting Fellow

“The Softer Side of Leadership is a wonderful book that focuses on the part of leadership that is often not included in degree programs or textbooks, but is quintessential to being successful. This important resource for leaders is filled with practical, personal examples that makes it hard to put down. He captures your attention by sharing the wisdom he has gained by leading organizations and colleges over the past 35 years. The softer skills addressed in this book—behaviors, attitudes, and practices—are often overlooked. People with great business skills often fail, because they don’t understand the power of the kinds of things addressed in this book, such as creativity, maintaining a sacred space, or staying connected to the heart. This book may hold the key as to why some leaders fail. While there are religious examples in the book, it has invaluable information for anyone who reads it regardless of their religious background. This book is good for potential leaders as well as for those who want to be more successful in their leadership positions.”

Dr. Rhonda Jeter, PhD, Professor, and Dean, College of Education, Bowie State University

“A must-read for all active and aspiring leaders in business and nonprofit sectors, as well as in churches and mission agencies. This is a practical and creative exposition of soft skills, seen as indispensable competencies for effective leadership. Here is an invaluable resource for all leaders, particularly for those longing to be ‘the salt of the earth’ in ‘winner take all’ environments.”

Fergus Macdonald, PhD, Honorary Chairperson, Lausanne Committee, and retired General Secretary, United Bible Societies

“My friend, Dr. Eugene Habecker, captures the heartbeat of Christlike leadership. In The Softer Side of Leadership, Gene teaches leaders how to effectively care for themselves and the people they serve every day. The best part is that he practices what he preaches. Whether you’re a CEO, pastor, or parent, I urge you to come sit at the feet of this wise, seasoned shepherd. Not only will you become a more effective leader, you’ll become a happier, holier person as well.”

Roy Peterson, Former President & CEO, American Bible Society

Leaders naturally gravitate to strategic planning, risk management, and financial projections. But leadership is much more. Gene properly highlights the importance of the soft side of leadership. He comes right down to the nub of leadership, focusing on what is best for the organization served, not on what is best for the leader.

Daniel D. Busby, former President, ECFA

Drawing on a lifetime of learning and a wealth of...