Stephen Barkley
Most of us have experienced emotionally unhealthy leaders. These are the sort that project their inadequacy on others and lead out of a frantic need to be loved. Troubles are either dealt with harshly or ignored while they fester. Emotionally unhealthy pastors are often so concerned with doing things for God that they tend to forget who they are, not to mention who holds their lives.
The Emotionally Healthy Leader is an antidote to this sort of frantic, frazzled, leadership. Peter Scazzero zeros in on four internal dispositions and practices that enable leaders to make decisions, build teams, set wise boundaries, and practice healthy transitions. Those four internal dispositions and practices are:
- Face Your Shadow
- Lead Out of Your Marriage or Singleness
- Slow Down for Loving Union
- Practice Sabbath Delight
This list is essential for everyone, not just leaders. In fact, the first half of this book could be read as a general spiritual formation guide. In the second half of the book, Scazzero shows how these internal features impact the life of a leader.
The greatest strength of this book is Scazzero’s honesty. He doesn’t set himself up as the paragon of an emotionally healthy leader. Instead, he shares stories and illustrations from his own life and ministry that forced him to confront his emotional health.
It’s been said that you should learn from your mistakes. Scazzero’s book allows us to learn from his mistakes! May we take these lessons to heart.
Scazzero, Peter. The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World. Zondervan, 2015.
