Todd Gongwer - Lead . . . for Gods Sake!: A Parable for Finding the Heart of Leadership

This is a book I could not put down. Every manager, coach, and leader should read it. I wish I had read it thirty years ago.

Lou Holtz, College Football Hall of Fame coach and ESPN analyst

An amazing story with a powerful message that every leader in business and beyond needs to hear!

Scott Peters, CEO, Healthcare Trust of America

I could not put this book down. It transcends culture, gender, economics... something that anyone can relate to. What a message!

Monty Williams, Assistant coach, Oklahoma City Thunder

Loved the book! Required reading for the entire Oklahoma Football coaching staff.

Bob Stoops, Head coach, Oklahoma Sooners

A captivating story with an incredibly powerful message! It will inspire you to think more deeply about leadership and your true purpose in life!

John Smoltz, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher and eight-time All-Star

In a time when a lot of us have lost our way in one way or another, Todd Gongwer has delivered a game-winning three-pointer thats nothing but net.

Ernie Johnson, Turner sportscaster, NBA and MLB on TNT

An incredible story packed with great leadership insights. It grabbed my attention from the beginning.

Mark Merrill, President, Family First (All Pro Dad)

Engaging and compelling narrative. As a business leader, I found its takeaways right on target. I wasnt able to put it down!

John D. Beckett, Chairman, R. W. Beckett Corporation, and author ofLoving Monday

Right on target with issues that apply to any life situation where more than one person is involved. A powerful message that definitely strikes a chord.

Mike Bobinski, Athletic director, Georgia Tech

Regardless of where you are in your leadership journey, this book will connect with you in some way, shape, or form no doubt in my mind!

Tracy Smith, Head baseball coach, Arizona State University

If youre in leadership of any kind, LEAD... for Gods Sake! is a must-read! It spoke to me in a powerful way and kept me grounded during a tough, foundational year.

Cori Close, Head womens basketball coach, UCLA

A message perfect for our team and inspiring for our leaders!

Randy Kibler, Retired CEO, Bojangles Restaurants

Outstanding book! An excellent reminder of why we do what we do. Thank you so much for writing such an inspirational message!

Jake Boss, Head baseball coach, Michigan State University

One of the best books Ive ever read. An easy read you can finish in a day, but can impact you for a lifetime.

Scott Drew, Head basketball coach, Baylor University

I wish LEAD... for Gods Sake! had been available to my classes and seminars for business students over the last twenty-five years. It is that good!

Dr. John Mulford, Director, Regent University Center for Entrepreneurship

LEAD... for Gods Sake! is the best book I have ever read... an incredible reminder of the gift that we have been given to lead and develop in a positive way.

Bubba Cunningham, Athletic director, University of North Carolina

This wonderful parable really speaks to the heart. I couldnt put it down. Todd has done a masterful job of condensing servant leadership into simple, applicable truths.

Wally Armstrong, PGA tour member and bestselling coauthor ofThe Mulligan

LEAD... for Gods Sake! may be the best book Ive ever read. Really opened my eyes to the journey.

Louie Vito, Professional snowboarder and US Olympian

Inspirational, informative, and leadership driven!

Tamika Catchings, 2011 WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist

Very inspirational for my own faith walk. A great message for all who read it!

Michael Trainor, President, Stratus LIVE, and former CEO of Jackson Hewitt

Loved the book! A powerful message that many of us can learn and grow from!

Todd Blackledge, ESPN college football analyst

LEAD... for Gods Sake! is a resource that will change communities, families, and lives for the better! Im a raving fan!

Glenn Repple, President, G. A. Repple & Company

I loved the book. [LEAD... for Gods Sake!] was a big-time inspiration to me as a coach. It truly impacted my staff and our families.

Todd Graham, Head football coach, Arizona State University

LEAD... for Gods Sake! is amazing! I think it touches everyone in some capacity. A must-read for anyone who is charged with leading others.

Tony Alford, Associate head football coach, Ohio State University

Coaches, business leaders, and parents alike will be profoundly impacted by this incredibly powerful story.

Tony Dibenedetto, Chairman, United States Coaches Association

If you are looking for a great read, check out LEAD... for Gods Sake! Awesome book. Cant recommend it enough!

Jason Romano, Senior talent producer, ESPN

A captivating and profound story that will reach deep into your heart.

JD Collins, Former NCAA Final Four referee

Ive read many leadership books but this one connected my head and heart together! Everyone would benefit from Todds leadership strategies!

Deb Copeland, Former CEO, Smart Temporary, and author ofFace to Face with GodandAttitude Therapy

Visit www.leadforgodsake.com to see more examples of how this book is impacting men and women from virtually every facet and stage of leadership and life!

This book was written for

Kaden and Kira, and my friends in leadership

This book is dedicated to

my grandfather, Nelson Gongwer, whose love for people, fun, and writing greatly impacted me

Visit the authors website at www.leadforgodsake.com.

TYNDALE and Tyndales quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

LEAD... for Gods Sake! is a federally registered trademark of Todd Gongwer. All rights reserved.

LEAD... for Gods Sake!: A Parable for Finding the Heart of Leadership

Copyright 2010 by Todd Gongwer. All rights reserved.

First printing by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., in 2011.

Previously published by Kardia House Publishing under ISBN 978-0-9825941-0-0, Library of Congress Control Number: 2010922610.

Cover design and interior illustrations by Jeff Stillson, Stillson Studios

Cover illustration of janitor by Shannon Sutton. Used with permission.

Edited by Jonathan Schindler

LEAD... for Gods Sake! is a work of fiction. Where real people, events, establishments, organizations, or locales appear, they are used fictitiously. All other elements of the novel are drawn from the authors imagination.

ISBN 978-1-4143-7055-2 (hc) ISBN 978-1-4143-7056-9 (sc)

Build: 2021-04-21 15:39:33 EPUB 3.0

I n the summer of 2011 a good friend of mine, knowing that I was in the midst of a season of reflection, gave me a copy of LEAD... for Gods Sake! After explaining to me the incredible impact the book had had on his life, he assured me I would not only enjoy it, but also be impacted by its message. He was right in a big way.

From the very start of this captivating parable, I found myself relating to the characters within. By going straight to the essence of leadership and purpose, the story challenged me to reflect upon how powerfully these two areas of life had affected not only my own pursuits and successes, but also the successes of the teams I had led in the past. Leadership and purpose were things I had dealt with a lot as we experienced success along the way. So of course, as the main characters wrestled through some of lifes most important questions relating to these two subjects, I found myself doing the same, eventually following their lead to that ever-important question lying at the heart of leadership: