Inside Job

Effective leaders work very hard to succeed, but often at the cost of their own souls. They are challenged to keep themselves emotionally and spiritually healthy in order to survive success—to keep their humanity intact. This is the work within the work. Stephen W. Smith helps leaders in the marketplace and in ministry set aside the life-draining values of power, fame, fortune and position and instead explore the life-giving qualities of building character. In this book you will learn to:



- Recognize and determine the inner and outer markers of success

- Explore eight compelling virtues that every leader must possess

- Use the principle of rhythm rather than chase the myth of balance

- Recognize the limits of your own leadership

- Discover how to thrive, not just survive

There is a better way to live than the craziness we experience in our driven world. Inside Job is your invitation to journey inside and do the work within your work.



Stephen W. Smith is the cofounder and president of The Potter's Inn, a spiritual formation ministry dedicated to the care of leaders in the marketplace and in ministry. He has pastored churches in Kentucky, North Carolina and the Netherlands, and is the author of The Lazarus Life, Soul Custody and Embracing Soul Care: Making Space for What Matters Most. Steve and his wife Gwen serve as spiritual directors and retreat leaders with Potter's Inn and previously they lived overseas in Europe planting churches before the fall of Communism.

Part I: The Crisis in the Leader's Soul


1. Life Is More Than Chasing Success


2. Signs of the Times


3. Comparing the Inner and Outer Markers of Success
Part II: Doing the Work Within the Work


4. Mapping the Journey


5. The Great Eight


Section One: Faith, Goodness, Knowledge and Self-Control


Section Two: Perseverance, Godliness, Kindness and Love


6. The Leader's Rhythm: Exposing the Lie of Being Balanced


7. The Leader's Limits: Saying No in Order to Live Yes


8. The Leader's Transitions: Understanding Change
Part III: Leading to Live


9. Living and Leading a Resilient Life


10. Leading with Contentment and Satisfaction

"Steve is a prophet for our day, calling us from the idolatrous worship of success back to the worship of the true God who designed rhythm and rest. As a fellow traveler who has experienced the roughness of the journey, he invites us to journey within our own hearts—'to work within the work.' I heartily endorse this timely and very important book that calls us back to our hearts' true home."



"Like a laser beam, Inside Job penetrates to the heart of what Christian leadership is all about. In a day and age when much of leadership centers around an array of tips and techniques, Steve Smith takes us to the true focus of leadership—character. . . . His wisdom, insights and straightforward approach will lead you to understand that leadership success is truly an inside-out job. . . . This is a must read for those who truly want to lead in the way of Christ!" weniger anzeigen expand_less