Comments on: Book Notes: Derailed by Tim Irwin

By: James Owolabi

James Owolabi — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:54:00 +0000

I just finished reading this book and it has challenged me to investigate some scary dark spots in my development as a leader. Love this book. Thanks Grace and Peace James Owolabi

By: Pile Up: Books I’m Reading | Kicking at the Darkness

Pile Up: Books I’m Reading | Kicking at the Darkness — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:50:59 +0000

[...] Failures of Leadership by Tim Irwin Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson , wrote a great review/preview of this leadership book last week. I was immediately hooked. I downloaded it to my Kindle and [...]

By: » Blog Archive » Book Review: Derailed

» Blog Archive » Book Review: Derailed — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:20:11 +0000

[...] Derailed: Five Lessons Learned From Catastrophic Failures of Leadership by Dr. Tim Irwin thanks to Michael Hyatt and the good folks over at Thomas Nelson Publishers. Mike posted his review of the book and then [...]

By: Warren Farrell

Warren Farrell — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:21:15 +0000

Great review! It's nice to see that there are such great stories in these books!

By: Melissa Kelley

Melissa Kelley — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:50:06 +0000

Thank you for the copy of Derailed. I am looking forward to reading it.

Thanks!

By: EDye11

EDye11 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:42:59 +0000

I am so excited to get my copy of Derailed! I have already taken the assessment test and look forward to reading about my results! Thank you!! :)

By: Kelly VanCamp

Kelly VanCamp — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:01:18 +0000

I asked God for wisdom and He pointed me to you! I would love to read something worthwhile for a change. Tim, you get right to the meat and potatoes of true living and performing in the workplace. Thank you for your dedication and commitment! I WILL have time and WILL want to read your new book.

By: Kevin Garrett

Kevin Garrett — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:37:14 +0000

Where leaders fall and thrive? I want to learn and share the answers with those who I am allowed to have influence.

By: Matt McMorris

Matt McMorris — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:14:30 +0000

Only recently did someone introduce me to following you on twitter. I must say, it has certainly led to some thought provoking reading through your tweets as well as your blog.

I graduated from a Bible college five and a half years ago and served in a few capacities on a large church staff for the five years following. It was a tremendous opportunity to grow, learn and develop in the area of leadership.

Approximately three months ago god called me to an associate pastor position leading worship and youth ministries. As a 28 year old beginning in ministry, I look down the road a bit and realize that I do not ever want to be derailed from the ministry God has called me to. I am sure that if not selected for a free copy, I will eventually get my hands on a copy. I would love however to receive a copy of it from you. I love to read anything that has to do with leadership and success.

Thanks for what you are doing to help leaders!

By: Michael Brown

Michael Brown — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:38:39 +0000

I would like a copy of this book to read and to review on my Radio program on my College's campus radio. Moody Campus Radio. I am on Monday and Friday nights 8 pm to 10 CT.

By: Julian2323

Julian2323 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:50:46 +0000

Hello Michael. I would like a copy of 'Derailed' because I am 1st time lead pastor and emerging leader. I have been serving at our church (with an 80 yeart history) for almost 3 years. Over this time we have undergone amazing challenges, inside and out of the church, financial obstacles, negative criticism, and a host of other stuff. Though we are still "in the frying pan" at the present, my wife and I are determined to honor God in our assignment, stay the course, see it through, and finish well. I want to as a younger leader to be proactive in my leadership life, so others are blessed and not cursed by ny example.

By: Lonnie Thoms

Lonnie Thoms — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:10:13 +0000

A former Free Methdist Bishop said to a group of pastors, “I pray this every day: ‘Lord prepare me for what you have prepared for me.’”. Getting this book would be an answer to that prayer for me. Leaders are formed in secret and brought to light at just the right time. I don’t know when my time will come but I want to be ready!

By: Daniel C. White

Daniel C. White — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:41:50 +0000

I would love a copy of the book Derailed because I don’t take for granted the responsibility of leading people. I have a strong understanding as a man of faith, that leaders are held at a higher standard and I never want to cause someone to stray or hurt someone because of my leadership. I truly believe that Derailed with help keep all stones overturned in my life in leadership.

I also love sharing with all that I know, personally and professional, the things that are currently influencing me by either sharing face to face in my weekly one on ones meetings, my 350 quality & influencial Twitter followers mostly made up of gate keepers in the church, music business or major market business professionals as well as my 1,000 facebook friends and plan to blog about it as well. I say this mostly because I truly value each person I meet and each person I know and continuously try and pour into them as they pour into me, spiritually and professionally.

Typed on my iPhone ON THE GO so forgive any typos

By: Chad Saxton

Chad Saxton — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:27:20 +0000

Michael,
I am a new executive director of a small christian camp. One of my passions is to devlope stong Christian leaders. I believe this book would be an excellant read for me and to have in our camp library for our staff.

Chad

By: Bob Hostetler

Bob Hostetler — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:08:31 +0000

I need this book. I am a leader (pastor) who still struggles daily to understand and deal with my leadership shortcomings. Help.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:41:09 +0000

I am interested in reading Derailed as a leader emerging onto the field. I am graduating in six months with my international MBA. Even though I know I will not avoid mistakes, but I would love to learn from others.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:32:58 +0000

Michael,
I want a free copy of Derailed, because I have read books on successful leadership and it would be helpful to read a book on failed leadership. Growing and learning as a leader is a constant challenge and goal of mine as I am a young preacher in a stagnant yet loving church of 240. The older I grow the more I realize that so much stands and falls with leadership. Derailed seems like a book that would help me mature as a leader.

thanks,
Josh

By: Grenae Thompson

Grenae Thompson — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:25:13 +0000

The title of this book sounds very similar to the CLF (Catastrophic Leadership Failure) concept developed by Dick Thompson, Ph.D., CEO of High Performing Systems, Inc. (CLF article http://bit.ly/2JbQwg) From your review, it seems that "Derailed" looks at "leadership failure" from a slightly different perspective. Since all "theories" have blindspots, it would be helpful to integrate these two perspectives for greater insight. Thank you for making this opportunity available.

By: S Nakamura

S Nakamura — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:21:02 +0000

Hello. I am a book translator. I have translated great Christian books such as "Prayer of Jabez," "Boundaries," "One-Life Solution," "Every Woman's Battle" and many others into Japanese for publication. I've been looking for good books that are suitable for both Christians and non-Christians, and this book seem to be a perfect candidate. And funny, I don't think I ever translated a book published from Thomas Nelson! It would be nice if this becomes the first one!

By: speli

speli — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:18:10 +0000

Having observed the move within my former employer, a very large German software company, from a very family like company that had organically grown since 1972 to an American business techniques driven, quarter-by-quarter steered company, this book would certainly be an interesting read. Part of this move was a loss of its natural friendliness and flat hierarchies to hard-driven efficiency and multi-leveled hierarchies, which in turn produced financial results shareholders expected – and in the process lost the loyalty of some of the employees and the casual friendliness it was so well-known for. Thanks, Michael.

By: Jim Steward

Jim Steward — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:13:06 +0000

I'm a fan of books like Good to Great and others and I'm very interested in these types of studies. I lead a group of men and teach them leadership principles.

By: Rachel Wojnarowski

Rachel Wojnarowski — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:10:30 +0000

Well, I’m not a corporate manager, mid-level supervisor or even a boss of any type. Character is who you are when you think no one else is looking. I forget where I heard that, but I know it’s true. The assessment essentially asks one’s own opinion of oneself. I wonder how many others would answer the questions about us the same way that we answered for ourselves? I’m just a mom, with a heart for ministering to other women who go through the same “stuff” as I do regularly. I want to read the book in order to become a better leader in the areas for which I am responsible, regardless of how “small” they may seem.

By: Brendon

Brendon — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:59:45 +0000

I would like a copy of derailed to be able to label what I've already accomplished. We all fail, I usually learn from my mistakes, but just for fun I'd like to learn before I make those mistakes! This book sounds like a good tool to achieve that purpose. As a children's pastor in full time ministry, I'm not exposed to as many models of business success and failure, but I feel those models could be helpful to succeed in the church as well.

By: Travis Kaiser

Travis Kaiser — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:45:39 +0000

Mike – I'm a young leader who aspires to do great things. As a younger leader not only am I learning from my own mistakes but I am acute to the fact it's easier to learn from other's mistakes. The "school of hard knocks for others" is my favorite school to learn from. One of my favorite leadership books is Hans Finzel's 'The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make" and this book has a similar theme. I would greatly enjoy a copy as I continue through my own leadership journey.

By: Carole Stolz

Carole Stolz — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:18:01 +0000

As my husband and I both managed to crash land each of our firms, we think that we understand something about failure.
Today, however, we are both very active again both in our own firms and in our church. We are also about to launch an abolitionist movement for Germany. Everything we can read about not falling again would be MOST welcome. I am definately someone who learns from mistakes rather than achievements – but the mistakes don't ALL have to be my personal ones!!

By: Sotalentedgeez

Sotalentedgeez — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:47:26 +0000

Sotalentedgeez is my TV/Radio Screen Name on my local stations website. I perfer to use my real name here but it would not change easily.

Peter F. Drucker once said: "The better a man is, the more mistakes he will make, for the more things he will try. I would never promote into a top level job a man who was not making mistakes . . .He is sure to be mediocre."

Sharing mistakes made in business, in the church, and in our families and community is like gold. Teaching from our failures is as important as teaching from our successes. Contrary to what the masses think . . .failures every now and then is such a good and healthy thing for all of us. I hope the author covers the topic of failure well for it is so key to our success . . . and one of our best friends to be sure. Not nearly enough people teaching from their failures. I hope this author takes several looks at the topic. If he does I will read it!

Jim S. in Portland,OR

By: David Sidney

David Sidney — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:52:12 +0000

My book group is reading Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and it is exposing to all of us the gaps that have formed over the years between being and non-being. We are challenging each other with self-awareness and authenticity and discipline so we can lead within our different spheres centered in joy and fulfillment rather than pain and false urgency.

I used to think that the economic restructuring that is taking place would be based on better systems and regulations. But with with time and my own increased self-awareness I realize that its more about character and mission/values alignment. Based on your review of this book I believe this will be helpful in my own self-leadership so that I can serve the teams/organizations I am a part of better. Thank you for commitment to grow leaders around you!

By: TIMOTHY WILLIAMS

TIMOTHY WILLIAMS — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:49:08 +0000

I READ THE BOOK RUNNING W/THE BULLS AND IT BLESSED MY SOUL.
THE THREE C'S ARE TRAITS I LIVE BY! I HAVE BEEN DERAILED BEFORE IN THIS LIFE, I DID A 15 YEAR PRISON TERM, RESULTS OF BAD CHOICES, POOR SELF MANAGEMENT, NO COURAGE TO SAY NO, IGNORING THE WARNING SIGNS AND NOT FOCUSED OR AWARE OF MYSELF AND OTHERS.
I LEAD AT WORK AND ALSO IN MY CHRUCH THIS WILL HELP!
I DO NOT WANT TO REPEAT THESE THINGS IN MY LIFE!
YOUR BOOKS ARE IN LAYMEN TERMS I CAN RELATE, I ENJOY, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

By: Bill Masella

Bill Masella — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:12:54 +0000

As a leader of "projects" and "project teams" I found this post to be enlightening and would certainly love to dive into more "meat". Particularly the 5 stages of demise… Hmmm… where does Apathy fit into this mix?

By: mjpeterson37

mjpeterson37 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:56:30 +0000

Mike,

Like so many others here, I just have a desire to be a leader who will have a lasting impact on the world. I want to lead people to an end that is worth achieving, an authentic life in Christ. For that reason I am always looking for good examples to follow, people who can help me learn from their mistakes and their successes. I would like to read this book because I believe it provides another tool in the shed for my work in the world.

Regards, Mark

By: Jonathan Griffiths

Jonathan Griffiths — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:39:06 +0000

I'd love to read this book. We're working out home church leadership right now in our local body and the more I can learn about leadership, the better. And let's face it, we can often learn more from the train wrecks than from the success stories!

By: John Waldo

John Waldo — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:27:58 +0000

I work in higher education, doing faculty development. The “plan” is for me to eventually become the director of our department, and I’ll have the opportunity to lead change for our 2000+ adjunct faculty on 10 campuses.

I also have influence in the life of our pastor “in waiting,” who will become senior pastor within the next year or so.

I’d like a copy of the book for personal development, so I don’t become #7 on the listed of failed leaders, and to help me in encouraging our pastor.

By: Steve DeLisle

Steve DeLisle — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:45:31 +0000

I work for a ministry called Heart to Honduras. We serve the poorest of the poor in Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. We do a variety of projects to answer both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. We build a variety of buildings from churches to building homes for widows and homeless families to sanitary bathrooms. We have created clean water projects for villages and helped increase agricultural production of farmers. We bring in mobile medical and dental teams to provide health care in remote villages and to places with no access to doctors. This just scratches the surface of what we do.
However we are struggling as many noprofits are right now. Not only from a financial standpoint, but also from a leadership one. Our ministry has grown tremendously in its first 20 years and we are out stripping our leaders abilities both in the States and in Honduras.
While we have done some leadership books as a staff, I think this one would truly help us. Please consider helping us by giving me a free copy of this book. Hopefully it will help us do a better job serving the people in Honduras.

By: Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:31:55 +0000

Michael,

I'd love a copy of Derailed. I'm a young pastor of a growing, 4-year-old church plant and am an avid reader constantly trying to grow myself to stay ahead of our church's growth. Traveling a road you've never been before is exciting and challenging…and a little scary!

Thanks for your blog. It's a growth tool for me. And thanks for offering free books!

By: Denise Van Rensburg

Denise Van Rensburg — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:30:43 +0000

After many years in the health sector as a nurse, I am in a position to start my own company. I have attended a number of workshops on starting a business, and feel that this is God’s way of ensuring that I have all the necessary tools to run a succesful company. As they say being for warned is being for armed, and your book I believe is an essential tool in my armary.
May I take this opportunity to thank you for the heart you have to share your knowledge and experience with others.

By: Karen Jordan

Karen Jordan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:15:21 +0000

I'm always open to learning something from the mistakes of others. And I really appreciate those who are will to open up their lives and offer guidance based on their own life lessons. And I guess I'll always be a "lifelong learner"!!! Thanks for this generous offer!

By: Connie Lard

Connie Lard — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:04:59 +0000

Hi! I am not in a formal leadership role in a church or work setting. However, as a wife, mother, grandmother, and nurse practitioner working with young women, I am aware of my informal leadership role with the people in my life. I am always interested in learning how to be a better person and leader and would appreciate the opportunity to read this book. Thanks!

By: christine

christine — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:28:40 +0000

I co-own a company with my husband, I am a mom of two, I volunteer at church leading a group of 24 other volunteers, and I strive to honor God daily. Realizing that no one is above derailment, this sounds like a book that is a must-read for anyone who is in a position of leadership. Thanks for the opportunity to get a copy.

By: Omar Hamada

Omar Hamada — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:23:24 +0000

I love to read – especially books that change lives, make one ponder and analyze thought processes, and books that encourage self-reflection. Sounds like this is one of those. I'd love to read and apply.

By: Alan Stoddard

Alan Stoddard — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:40:25 +0000

I'm pastoring a church where the pastor left the church, took 100 people, and started another church in our community of 12,000. I will use the book to help heal my new staff and the church. I will also benefit from the book personally as I am committed to finishing faithful and helping other leaders to do the same.

By: Phil Zarns

Phil Zarns — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:19:00 +0000

Hind sight is always 20/20. I could definitely enjoy and learn from this read. in the wake of life, there's so much to grasp so that our present and future can be bettered with necessary results!

By: @DavidGallery

@DavidGallery — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:20:16 +0000

I always thought as a leader – it should be a "piece of cake". I guess that not true. A lot of good leaders made it looks so simple. Since then I have been searching , learning, listening, reading (including your blog here) how to become a good leader and manager. How to I influence my teams? …

But I hardly look at it from the other side of view, what is weak leaders except for first time I read it on your blog, "Five Characteristics of Weak Leaders". In fact last week, I realized I did a blaming on one of team that delay the project. Once I did it, right away one of your Five Chars of weak leaders hit me. I was like ops … Well, since then, I'm trying not to do that again but instead see if anything else I can help instead. Thanks.
So much to learn ….

By: Deborah

Deborah — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:14:02 +0000

Having thought I was standing in the past, and suffering the inevitable fall – I know I cannot say NEVER AGAIN with any certainty. This book would be an extremely helpful reminder, and I would also put it in the leadership library of the Christian ministry I work with.
Thanks for the opportunity.

By: Nikki

Nikki — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:43:52 +0000

I tried to write this yesterday feeing that maybe I don’t really need this book. Then I received a tweet and I knew that God wanted me to write. My husband and i are starting a nonprofit business and he would definantly benefit from this book. He is a wonderful man with great ideas but might need a little push with leadership skills. Thank you for your condsiderating in this. I love your blogs about the books you read 98% of the time I read those books and really learn from them what God wants me to learn from them!

By: dentmaker

dentmaker — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:27:54 +0000

6 months ago I was in Northern Iraq volunteering with a small non-profit that is trying to provide life-saving heart surgeries for 4000 children. It's not just a charity but a business model– selling a local hand-made Kurdish shoe to help save lives. Now that I'm back in the states, I see a hunger from the team to learn– from others success and mistakes. A simple thing I do is send books. I sent 4 books so far… 1) Visioneering by Andy Stanley 2) Good to Great for Social Sectors by Jim Collins 3) Crucial Conversations and 4) The Toyota Way by Jeff Liker. I'd love to send this one over to this team– to help them avoid the pitfalls as they strive to stay humble and be bold. Their story is incredible (http://preemptivelove.org). Thanks for your time and for the innovative work you are doing with Social Media. I read your tweets!

By: @Smitherd

@Smitherd — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:07:17 +0000

I have heard the horror stories of many great churches, businesses and other corporations who were awesome… until they collapsed under poor leadership. Corporations are always dependent on their leadership, and when the leader falls, you almost never see a corporation "rise back up" as it were.

I want to read this book because I want to properly understand how to spot bad leadership from the beginning, and to understand the "signs" which hint at potential leadership disasters before finding out the hard way, whether it be in a church, a corporation, or simply in life in general.

By: JulieCJ

JulieCJ — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:52:15 +0000

Mr. Hyatt, I'd really love to have a copy of Tim Irwin's 'Derailed' because I have been known to spend hours just watching people go about their business, and I'd like to know more – I've become interested in how the mighty fall. It seems to be happening so much lately. I just don't understand it. The way I see it is that anyone can figure out that if you put your hand in the til, you'll eventually get caught – and these CEOs are supposed to be really smart . . . but they get caught . . .
Oh, and my next book is going to be a fiction about a fallen businessman who makes friends with a fallen politician while in jail. I can't tell you any more – I don't want to give away the whole thing, but this book would be marvelous research material! Of course, I will credit Dr. Irwin appropriately!
Thanks so much for your great, and entertaining Facebook presence – and Twitter, too.

By: sandy cathcart

sandy cathcart — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:42:54 +0000

As a writing teacher/mentor/coach I often see my students being derailed from reaching their God-given dreams and goals. I would like to learn all I can in order to steer and encourage others in stirring up their gifts, yet I have often been derailed in that very task. Authenticity, self-management, humility and courage are all things I would like to see grow in my own life.

By: Maureen Small

Maureen Small — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:40:49 +0000

I’ve failed in leadership before – derailed miserably. God has given me another chance several years later, and I want to humbly serve Him this time around. I need to know how to stay on the rails, especially because there are a lot of railcars following me down the track now.

By: dburgin

dburgin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:33:56 +0000

I would appreciate having this book. I am a Pastor and being in a leadership position I would find this book helpful.

Dave