AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley

Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley has been around for a while, and I can’t believe I haven’t read it until now.  Originally published in 2003, it has been a called a modern classic of leadership writing.  It deserves this praise, and I wish I would have read it 10 years ago when I was in my early twenties, as it may have kept me from making several rookie mistakes in my leadership.  However, it’s never too late to re-learn some of the basics, and there are plenty of new lessons in these pages for leaders young and old.

The best way I can describe Next Generation Leader is that it comes as close as a book can to the great benefits of meeting with a live mentor.  Stanley takes on the voice of a “gap-mentor;” fresh and edgy enough to have the ear of young leaders, yet seasoned and experienced enough to speak with great wisdom.  He holds up biblical examples and relates personal stories and failures with his typical expert-level communication.  You get the impression that not a single sentence is superfluous in this brisk, sniper bullet of a book.

Stanley’s “Five C’s:” Competence, Courage, Clarity, Coaching, and Character are all-inclusive and provide the archetypical framework for training and mentoring new, emerging leaders.  Even though I wish I had read this book years ago, perhaps it came along at the right time.  I’m personally thankful for the sections on Competence and Clarity, as the principles from these sections are currently helping me get “unstuck” in my leadership.  The other three sections served as powerful, convicting reminders that high-impact leadership requires constant evaluation and adjustment.

Lloyd James does a good job of narrating the audiobook version.  His steady cadence and tone allow Stanley’s words to really hit home.  That said, I want to pick up a print version of this book so I can mark it up!  I highly recommend this “modern classic” to all leaders, young and old.

Please Note: This audiobook was gifted as a part of the Christianaudio Reviewers Program in exchange for my unbiased review of this work. This has in no way influenced my opinion or review of this work.  More information can be found about this and other Christian audiobooks at christianaudio.com.