Leading From the Second Chair By Mike Bonem & Roger Patterson Leading From the Second Chair will raise awareness of the need for strong leaders in secondary positions. It will describe the value they can bring to their organization and to primary leaders when they are serving at their full potential. It will reshape the way they view their role, with an emphasis on their own responsibility as leaders. It recognizes the unique challenges and frustrations of serving in a subordinate position and equips these leaders with the attitudes and skills that they will need to survive and thrive in this new paradigm. Because of the scarcity of resources for second chair leaders, particularly those in the church, this book will offer a practical way to improve the performance of any organization. Leading Congregational Change discussed the importance of a "vision community"--a diverse group of key members who discern and implement the vision for a congregation--to guide the transformation of a church. This work will extend the theme of an empowered leadership team as we explore how individual clergy and laity can lead effectively. They say it's lonely at the top. And it can be even lonelier when you are almost at the top. Church leaders who hold "second chair" positions are under tremendous pressure. They are expected to do their jobs and provide leadership but defer to the top leader, too. It's a demanding balancing act. How can they lead effectively while serving under someone else's authority? Leading from the Second Chair offers leaders who serve in second chair roles an invaluable resource for becoming leaders who are productive, proactive, and fulfilled. The book reveals the paradoxes of second chair leadership: Second chair leaders must be subordinate to the top leader yet lead in their own right. They should be deep in their expertise but wide in perspective. And they must be content in their jobs yet remain enthusiastic for their dreams for the future. "Somebody said the hardest instrument to play is second fiddle. But since Jesus had one or two things to say about serving and submitting, this is a rich field. Mike and Roger have addressed a key need with wisdom and clarity."    John Ortberg, author, If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get out of the Boat, and teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church *Review from www.secondchairleaders.com, About The Book.