Lead Like It Matters to God by Richard Stearns Summary
Overview of Lead Like It Matters to God
In "Lead Like It Matters to God," former World Vision CEO Richard Stearns challenges success-obsessed culture with seventeen transformative values. John Maxwell calls it "a master's-level course on leadership with faith as his north star." What if character, not achievement, is what truly defines exceptional leadership?
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Key takeaways
When Leadership Stops Being About You
Picture a CEO on his first day in the corner office, frantically searching for a plunger because the executive bathroom toilet is clogged. That humbling moment-Richard Stearns trying to fix a toilet without anyone knowing-captures something profound about leadership we've forgotten. We've built an entire industry around leadership "secrets," productivity hacks, and success formulas. Yet what if the most transformative leadership insight isn't a technique at all, but a complete surrender of ego? This isn't another book promising to make you a better boss by Friday. It's a challenge to everything our culture teaches about power, success, and what it means to lead. At a time when headlines overflow with corporate scandals and abuses of authority, this approach offers something radical: leadership that matters not because it wins, but because it transforms-starting with the leader themselves. Here's an uncomfortable truth: most of us have confused our careers with our calling. We treat our job title like our identity, our company's mission like our life's purpose. But there's a deeper assignment underneath all the meetings and deadlines. Think of it like being an undercover agent-your career is just your cover story. Your real mission? Bringing the values of compassion, integrity, and justice into whatever space you occupy. This isn't about preaching in the break room or putting Bible verses in your email signature. It's about embodying a different way of being that makes people curious.
The Paradox of Surrender and the Freedom It Brings
Excellence Without the Crushing Weight of Winning
Love and Integrity as Leadership Foundations
The Integrity That Builds Unshakeable Trust
The Courage to Lead Toward What Scares You
Faithful, Not Just Successful
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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