The Tortoise Usually Wins is a delightful exploration of the theory of quiet leadership. Written for reluctant leaders, it interacts with three key biblical images of leadership—the leader as servant, shepherd and steward—and links them with some of the key virtues of quiet leadership—modesty, restraint, tenacity, interdependence and other-centeredness. Exploding the myth that the good is the enemy of the best, it argues that the reverse is more often true, with images of unattainable perfection crippling competent people from getting on with the task of doing genuinely good things. The book strips leadership of some of its mystique, arguing that the bulk of leadership is about helping groups decide the right things to do and then getting on and doing them in an atmosphere that brings the best out of others.
Brian Harris is the principal of a highly regarded theological seminary and also pastors a thriving local church, so the book carries the wisdom of both professor and pastor, satisfying the reader both intellectually and practically. These insights are supplemented by interviews with significant quiet leaders from around the world, ensuring a rich feast for prospective and current reluctant leaders.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
“Christian leadership recognizes three realms of accountability. First the Christian leader is accountable to God, second to the people they are called to lead and third to the group of people who should benefit by what the group is doing but who are currently outside of its orbit.” (Page 23)
“Meekness is ‘gentleness with the strength of steel’. It is strength of personality under God’s control” (Page xv)
“quiet servant leaders follow the lead of Christ and serve the best interests of the group they are called to lead” (Page 22)
“Sometimes victory goes not to those who could most easily attain it, but to those who desire it the most” (Page 2)
“How does this benefit the people we are trying to impact?’ as opposed to ‘How does this benefit us?’” (Page 181)
Books on leadership are today two a penny. Just occasionally, however, one of these books might stand head and shoulders above most of the others, and to my delight The Tortoise Usually Wins falls into that category. Furthermore, so many books on leadership are written for natural leaders; whereas, as the author makes clear, most churches are led by ‘quiet leaders’ who know they are not great, but nonetheless, are ‘tenacious and committed to the task and willing to work co-operatively with others to achieve it.’ I can see many church leaders benefitting from this book. I warmly commend this unusual book.
—Paul Beasley-Murray, senior minister, Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford
Brian Harris (BSocSc, BTh, MTh, PhD) is principal of Vose Seminary, a Baptist theological college in Perth, Australia. Brian has lived in both South Africa and New Zealand and has successfully been the senior pastor of three churches, each of which grew dramatically. His PhD interacts with the thought of Stanley Grenz and explores the nature and future of evangelical theology. In 2009, he commenced as senior pastor of Carey Baptist Church in conjunction with his role at Vose, giving him valuable practical pastoral insight.
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
4/26/2017