Book Review - Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership by Gary L McIntosh and Samuel D Rima

Overcoming Latent Failures While Becoming ancontemporary Christian leaders who have failed in
Effective Leadertheir pursuit of following God and are used to
"Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership" looksillustrate various dysfunctions in the leadership
at the paradox of personal dysfunction. In thisstyles of the compulsive leader, the narcissistic
revised edition the authors, Gary McIntosh andleader, the paranoid leader, the codependent
Samuel Rima reflect on experiences andleader, and the passive-aggressive leader.
observations on Christian leadership over the tenI personally found the "targeting insights," and
years since the first edition of the book was first"applying insights" features at the end of each
published.chapter to be practical tools for self examination
The book addresses three issues, understandingand self discovery.
how the dark side of personality develops, andI also found the material in the appendix helpful. It
discovering the issues experienced mostprovides: lists of available personality profiles, an
frequently by those in Christian leadership. Theaccountability group covenant, a sample personal
author's intent in parts two and three is to helpconstitution, and a performance evaluation.
the reader determine their dark side, and toThis edition of "Overcoming the Dark Side of
provide them a five-step plan for redeeming orLeadership" has a new subtitle which offers new
overcoming this dark side.help to the reader, "How to Become an Effective
Gary and Sam share from conflicts they haveLeader by Confronting Potential Failures. The
experienced in their own lives which brought themmelding of relevant and significant information with
to a place of recognizing their personalproactive steps for today's Christian leaders, help
dysfunction and the importance of takingthe reader avoid the risks and consequences of
proactive steps in self discovery, to find healingmaking those untimely and often devastating
and fulfillment.decisions that taint the effectiveness of their
Additional information has been added to covertestimony and the reputations of the Christian
topics such as: The dangers of the dark side, andchurch.
the process of spiritual composting. The appendix"Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership" is a
has also been expanded and now includes asignificant and relevant for every Christian leader.
section to help the reader identify their personalIt provides important and helpful tools for pastors,
dark side.and leadership at every level of church ministry.
The book includes examples from the Biblical and