Book Review: How not to Waste a Crisis

Information about the book

How Not to Waste a Crisis: Quite Trying Harder by Tod Bolsinger.  Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove, Illinois. 2024

Summary

From Amazon: In a world where crises seem to be the new normal, leadership that adapts is more vital than ever. In his new book How Not to Waste a Crisis bestselling Tod Bolsinger offers a refreshing perspective on turning chaos into opportunity. Unlike a typical leadership book, How Not to Waste a Crisis is an invitation to rethink and redefine your approach to leadership in times of upheaval. What sets How Not to Waste a Crisis apart is its vibrant storytelling, engaging illustrations, and practical exercises. Each chapter brings to life real-world examples and transforms complex concepts into digestible insights.

Impressions

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been looking for something to replace one of the books I ask the CLM class to read. At first, I thought I would use Tempered Resilience (review here).  I really liked that book and would recommend it, but it is longer than other books I ask the class to read, and more detailed.  A Conference staff person (Ken) mentioned this series by the same author, so I ordered Leading Through Resistance and this book, How Not to Waste a Crisis, both part of Bolsinger's Practicing Change series. (There are two others in the series I have not read).

This is a shorter book focused on helping to lead people through a crisis - and admitting that you don't know how to do that. It's about learning in the midst of crisis instead of bringing your expertise and talents (which won't work in the crisis) to the table.  It's about ending your expert status and inviting others to join you in finding a solution through experimentation.

I liked this book, and would recommend it.