Monday, August 25, 2008

Transforming Power by Hugh Ballou - Book review


Transforming Power

Stories from Transformational Leaders for Encouragement and Inspiration


By: Hugh Ballou (Editor)

Published: May 1, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0881775310
Format: Paperback 160 pp
Publisher: Discipleship Res


As leaders, if we expect transformation from others, we must be willing to transform ourselves, writes Hugh Ballou in his inspirational collection of personal experiences Transforming Power: Stories from Transformational Leaders for Encouragement and Inspiration. Through a series of transformational essays, written by a widely diverse group of leaders, the author captures the essence of leadership as a transformational concept.

Hugh Ballou draws upon his own leadership experience as an orchestra conductor. He shares how his personal journey toward the transformation of his orchestra also entailed his his own transformation as a leader and as a human being. The other stories in this inspirational collection, describe the personal and spiritual transformation of leaders, and of their widely diverse communities. A common thread in every story is a statement of personal faith, and how the leader used that divine power to step up when leadership was necessary.



Hugh Ballou (photo left) understands that not every leader possesses every quality of leadership, but they all share the trait of integrity. Honesty about their knowledge and talent gaps forms a bond with the community, bringing forward individuals who have the ability to fill in those empty spaces. By creating and developing a process for community action, the transformational leader provides the framework for achievement and change by the group. By establishing goals and a general framework, the leader also inspires creativity in developing the specific ideas for reaching them.

For me, the power of the book was the inspirational leadership that resulted in transformation of seemingly unrelated communities. Not only were the members of the group changed and their direction made more clear, but the leader also experienced personal and spiritual growth. The very act of leadership results in transformation of the leader in new and exciting ways. Everyone in the myriad of stories shared the personal conviction of their faith to do the right thing, and used their own strengths to achieve internal and group transformation when they received their call to action.

I highly recommend Transforming Power: Stories from Transformational Leaders for Encouragement and Inspiration by Hugh Ballou for anyone seeking to achieve positive change for their community and for transformation in themselves as a leader. The stories are of ordinary people who achieved extraordinary things by keeping their faith in God, in their community, and in their own vision.

Read Transforming Power: Stories from Transformational Leaders for Encouragement and Inspiration by Hugh Ballou, and discover how to find and nurture the transformational leader within yourself, and how to create and build a community, by equipping them with the tools for transformation and growth.

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