On Track Leadership.

Book Review

Kramp, John. On Track Leadership. Mastering what leaders actually do. Broadman & Holman Pub. 2006
J.K.- vice-president of Church Resources division of Life Way Christian Resources, Nashville.


Comment. Henry.
In his experience of leading and information about leadership John has chosen the analogy of a train explain what leadership is and how it functions. His thesis is rather simple but this may be its strength. Here is another tool that will be helpful in the hands of a skilful craftsman.

A leader must recognize that leadership is made up of nine ingredients that flow from one another; “visioning, personal planning, enlisting, team-building, communication, delegation, motivation, correction and celebration”. (7-9) The analogy of a train is used to illustrate how these ‘ingredients’ function. First is the engine (vision) and then the other cars follow ending up with the caboose (celebration).

Visioning is looking at a situation seeing what could. Nehemiah is an example of a visionary. A vision will develop into a focus on personal planning. The next step (car) in the leadership train is the enlisting of people who become involved in the vision. These enlisted people must be formed into a team. For this to



happen effectively there is need of good communication. Six steps are presented on how to delegate. Such delegation is part of good communication. Understanding motivation and how it works is a key leadership skill. Another basic part (car) of the leadership train is correction. Leadership is not complete without “celebrating, affirming and reinforcing”. (95) Such celebration should be personal and public.