Learning While Leading

Rating:
Summary: "A leading learning tool."
Review: I am just back from a workshop on reflective practice with seventeen theological students. We used Anita's book as background reading for our encounter. The students demonstrated an ability to engage in the challenging work so well described in "Learning while Leading" This book earths the complex theory and practice of action science in a manner that enables beginners pick up and run with the concepts. I witnessed the enabling power of Anita's stories and teachings. These students engaged in real co-consultancy of one another's ministry. I recommed the book to beginners and to those who are experienced in reflective practice. It is a good read and a cleverly written handbook for those serious about learning to be effective in ministry.

Rating:
Summary: Must-read for personal development & improved relationships
Review: I strongly recommend this book. Although it is written within the context and perspective of professional ministers, or students of ministry, the suggestions apply to anyone who wants to improve his or her communications with others, and better understand the "whys" behind the ways in which we fail our intentions by self-made traps of "skilled incompetence". This book has impacted my thinking in many positive ways. As I began to implement these strategies I was able to effectively mediate between people in my organization, to help them see how they got to where they were, and to commit to taking constructive practical steps to reconcile their differences. I also helped resolve a family squabble by unraveling the misunderstandings that arose from unspoken, wrong assumptions. I am very glad to have these new tools and skills for better communications, which have given me more confidence in facing those inevitable knots in relationships that need to be undone.

Rating:
Summary: The Minister's Mindreader
Review: There's a great guy on my church board that flips out whenever anyone uses the phrase "paradigm shift," so in his honor I will say instead that what Dr. Farber-Robertson has done here with the conventions of ministerial leadship is a kind of aikido - you don't know quite how she can read your mind or how she could have been present at your last committee meeting, but her understanding of ministerial dynamics is profound. Not only that, she deftly and with great honesty, insight and integrity, changes the rules of the game so that you are empowered rather than whithered by her astute perceptions. As any practicing parish minister knows, congregational life is breathtakingly challenging as well as deeply satisfying. Dr. Farber-Robertson understands the intricacies of power, communication, mutual understanding and genuine collaboration. I could recognize myself in virtually every case study that was presented. This was both discomfitting as well as reassuring. But the best reason to read this book, in addition to feeling as if you've had a session at the mindreader's, is to learn about ways to rethink what you're doing as well as the strategies for change. And it won't matter what brand of minister or rabbi you are - her understanding of the traps we create or find ourselves in, and the path to liberation and transformation, apply to any religious leader who wants with all of their heart and soul to be a more skillful and powerful force for embodying Love's purpose among human beings.

Rating:
Summary: The Minister's Mindreader
Review: There's a great guy on my church board that flips out whenever anyone uses the phrase "paradigm shift," so in his honor I will say instead that what Dr. Farber-Robertson has done here with the conventions of ministerial leadship is a kind of aikido - you don't know quite how she can read your mind or how she could have been present at your last committee meeting, but her understanding of ministerial dynamics is profound. Not only that, she deftly and with great honesty, insight and integrity, changes the rules of the game so that you are empowered rather than whithered by her astute perceptions. As any practicing parish minister knows, congregational life is breathtakingly challenging as well as deeply satisfying. Dr. Farber-Robertson understands the intricacies of power, communication, mutual understanding and genuine collaboration. I could recognize myself in virtually every case study that was presented. This was both discomfitting as well as reassuring. But the best reason to read this book, in addition to feeling as if you've had a session at the mindreader's, is to learn about ways to rethink what you're doing as well as the strategies for change. And it won't matter what brand of minister or rabbi you are - her understanding of the traps we create or find ourselves in, and the path to liberation and transformation, apply to any religious leader who wants with all of their heart and soul to be a more skillful and powerful force for embodying Love's purpose among human beings.