How to Lead When You're Not in Charge

By: Clay Scroggins

Narrated by: Clay Scroggins, Gabe Wicks

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

"This book will be one of the most, if not the most, pivotal leadership books you'll ever read." (Andy Stanley)

"If you're ready to lead right where you are, this book can show you how to start." (Dave Ramsey)

"Read this book! The marketplace is full of leadership messages, but this one is a stand out." (Louie Giglio)

In How to Lead When You're Not in Charge, author and pastor Clay Scroggins explains what is needed to be a great leader - even when you answer to someone else. Drawing from biblical principles and his experience as a megachurch pastor, Clay will help you nurture your vision and cultivate influence, even when you lack authority in your organization. 

Every leader, young or old, resonates with the dead-end feeling of not being in charge. Too often the lack of authority paralyzes leaders, leaving them believing they must wait to be in charge until they can lead. One of the greatest myths of leadership is that you must be in charge in order to lead. Great leaders don't buy it. Great leaders lead with or without the authority to lead. Because every road of leadership forks at the intersection of authority and influence, learning to cultivate influence without authority is foundational to navigating culture today.

Charts and graphs included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Clay Scroggins (P)2017 Zondervan

A Voice Worth Hearing

I am not Christian. By any means. I grew up protestant, but that ended quickly--like age 7. I don't believe in organized religion by any stretch of the imagination, but I do believe in spirituality.

I also have read/listened to an ungodly amount of self-dev books.

Those two things being said, this is a great book. It is very Christian, and Mr. Scroggins--who is some kind of pastor at a huge church in Georgia, IIRC--quotes the bible persistently and at length.

Normally when I hear this kind of stuff you've lost me. I'm done. But Scroggins imbues his message with more than enough practical and secular advice that it's easy enough to side-step the Christian message here.

For me, what worked, was simply acknowledging his Christian beliefs as a way of making sense of certain management principles, and it worked for me to listen to the Christian parables without feeling the need to convert back to the religion.

The actual meat of this book is in Scroggins impressive understanding of the attitudes and practices one needs to effect change from any position within an organizational hierarchy. He knows his stuff, and believe it or not, a megachurch is a great example of an organizational hierarchy. It is one that is built, perhaps even more so than a corporation or business, on the strength of community and social connection--so it serves its purpose as an accurate backdrop for professional development.

If you are Christian and looking to make more of a difference from within the organizations that you are a part of, this is a must buy.

If you are secular or of another spiritual persuasion, and looking to learn how to best leverage your influence even when you lack the specific title to seemingly do so directly, this is still a wise purchase. Just don't let the Christian themes overburden you.

124 of 129 people found this review helpful

Restart!

What did you love best about How to Lead When You're Not in Charge?

It was easily listenable. It is from a Christian perspective but not overwhelming nor were there opinions forced on you. Scroggins life is in ministry and he does a great job on giving his perspective on leadership which is a Christian perspective. It is non offensive for a non Christian,--no fire and brimstone preaching, --it is a holistic look at work. Leadership books don't necessarily include the spiritual aspect of work. The perspective is founded in purpose and developing oneself to 100%. Where do you belong? I felt the book speaks to those who are younger who might not know how to behave or take action. It also speaks to those who are possibly stagnant in their career. It is a helpful guide to a jump start and look for a perspective shift.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Lead When You're Not in Charge?

I think in certain parts he deals with acceptance of the situation that is not going anywhere. Aims at diplomacy. Self evaluation and owning your part.

Have you listened to any of Clay Scroggins and Gabe Wicks ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed

Any additional comments?

It would be nice to hear how he deals with extreme and very difficult situations. Like glass ceilings or discrimination gender bias. Not looking at very difficult issues did not take away from the book at all, it was just not in the scope of the book.

15 of 17 people found this review helpful

Religious Based

The book is mainly religious based, which is fine, but I would not have chosen the book had I known. The preview nor the book details portrayed this to be the case, which I feel is very misleading.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

okay but lacking

forced myself to finish like taking untasteful medicine. book was more of a religious sermon

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great book

Not your typical leadership book and that's what I loved about it. Clay gives us examples of how to lead everyday regardless of title.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Good message but REALLY preachy

I appreciated the message of this book, but I couldn't stick with it long enough to get any technique ideas for the apparent point of the book. That is because a few chapters in he starts to go deep into preaching fundamentalist religious views. Unfortunate. By the way I am Christian.

9 of 13 people found this review helpful

Not much content

Strip out all the "God has a purpose for you" crap and there's not much left. I had a hard time slogging through all the preaching. If you're looking for a six hour sermon, then here's your book. if you want leadership tips, find the Spark notes.

6 of 9 people found this review helpful

Must read - no excuses - you are in charge of you

One of the more engaging leadership books I've read in a while. It is relevant from a popular culture perspective, and puts a fresh spin on familiar concepts and truths that are taught by other leadership greats like Jim Collins and Peter Drucker. Clay breaks down some simple, yet not simplistic, concepts in practical ways. No one with authority is completely in charge all the time everywhere - CEOs answer to boards, owners answer to stakeholders, managers answer to VPs, etc - so everyone, from the individual contributor all the way up to the CEO/Owner can learn something from this book. If you are a "personal growth junkie" or aspiring owner/manager/leader, this is a must read!

6 of 9 people found this review helpful

I wish I had this 14 years ago!!!

Oh how I wish I had this book fourteen years ago! Back then, the only thing available was Maxwell’s 360 degree leader. It was helpful. However, where it was strong, this book is stronger. And where it was weak, this book is strong.

If I had this book, I would have saved myself many blunders and better served people and the leaders I was under. I could have been faithfully serving with the influence I did have, instead of griping about the position I didn’t have.

Scroggins helpfully unpacks how to be faithful and fruitful when you’re not in charge. He does so with humor, relevant examples, and practical wisdom. Undergirding the whole book is a trust in God sovereignty and the posture is modeled after Jesus’ servant leadership.

I recommend this for all leaders and aspiring leader who are on the top, middle and just starting off.

Just finished it and will go through it again but this time, with other fellow leaders.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Good advice

even if you are not looking for spiritual advice. Good key concepts. The delivery is funny and poignant.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful