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Lead . . . for God's Sake!: A Parable for Finding the Heart of Leadership
If you’ve ever asked yourself why you do what you do, or wondered what your purpose is in life, this book is for you.
The lives of an intensely-driven basketball coach, an ultra-successful CEO, and an unassuming janitor all intersect in this captivating parable about leadership, relationships, and the pursuit of success. An unforgettable story packed with profound truths, LEAD . . . for God’s Sake! will challenge you to think deeply about who you are as a leader, what success means to you, and why you do what you do. Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or your own family, this book is the first and most important step to becoming the leader you were meant to be.
The lives of an intensely-driven basketball coach, an ultra-successful CEO, and an unassuming janitor all intersect in this captivating parable about leadership, relationships, and the pursuit of success. An unforgettable story packed with profound truths, LEAD . . . for God’s Sake! will challenge you to think deeply about who you are as a leader, what success means to you, and why you do what you do. Whether you’re leading a business, a team, or your own family, this book is the first and most important step to becoming the leader you were meant to be.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 21, 2011
About the author
Todd Gongwer
1 book22 followersTodd Gongwer has spent nearly twenty years developing his expertise in leadership, team, and cultural dynamics. He has held executive positions in companies ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to public entities. He also served as an assistant college basketball coach for over a decade. He lives in Indiana with his wife, Traci, and their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
August 26, 2017
The funny and true story of how I got this book:
*Before I write the story, you should know that Urban Meyer wrote the forward. It's got blurbs from him, Lou Holtz, Bob Stoops, Monty Williams, John Smoltz, and dozens of others.*
I coach 8th grade volleyball. I have for what... 10? 11? 12? years now? Our school has about 400-450 8th graders, so we always field two teams. Before school sponsored soccer started, we'd have 80 kids try out, and we'd keep about 24. Lately we have 30-40 kids trying out. It's still a lot of cuts; a lot of tears.
We had an interesting season last year. Every year. I enjoy coaching junior high kids. It's a nice bridge between the pure fun of young players and strict competition of the older ones. It's about developing skill, but more importantly, developing people. I didn't become a teacher to coach. In fact, I only coached chess my first year. But that's what coaching is, right? Teaching?
Well, our season started off well. And no matter what level you play at, there's less tension when you are winning. But then we weren't. And these girls went something like 14-4 their 7th grade year. Sitting at 7-7 was a blow to their egos, and had me doubting myself as well.
I don't really yell as a coach. Maybe I should yell more. I try to keep things in perspective: it's 8th grade volleyball. But nobody wants to see their daughter cry. And some people think their kids are great. And these girls were great - are great.
Our conference has an end-of-the-season tournament. We had a bye in the first round, and beat a much improved team in the second. So, we advanced to stiffer competition to the semi-finals. The team we played beat us in the regular season... 25-12 (with their starters) 25-23 (with their backups.) We had our work cut out for us, but we'd improved so much.
Junior high volleyball in Indiana goes best-of-three, and we came out fired up. AND WE WON GAME ONE!!! 25-23!!! It was a CRAZY game. Well played on both sides. Everything you could hope for. One more game, and we were off to the finals.
But then in game two, the other team jumped out to an early lead. ...A big lead. At something like 7-0 I called a time out early. At 13-1 I used my second and final timeout. The girls weren't really doing anything wrong. They were playing well, but they couldn't catch a break. Literally, not a break. Serves would hit the tape and drop. I had them take a step back, they got caught with a short serve. When they moved up, they got beat deep. Every adjustment I made was overcome. Easily.
I'll let you guess the morale. What the court looked like. Remember, these are 8th grade girls. I get frustrated by losses, and when I'm playing poorly, and when things are out of my control... I'm not going to paint a picture of what the court looked like.
We lost 25-2. The two points we got came because they missed two serves.
...
...
...
Yeah. It was bad. It was the worst defeat I'd suffered in any sport, ever - as far as I could recall. The girls didn't really feel like playing game three. (You can imagine.)
But we talked. They talked. I talked. We had three minutes to talk.
In that three minutes, we regrouped and went back out there and won game three.
YOU. WOULD. NOT. BELIEVE the feeling. When it became evident we were going to win, I asked the girls not to storm the court. We'd just suffered a crushing defeat, and we took the a shot at the trophy away from a very deserving team.
We ran outside and started screaming, once we were away from everyone else. Two girls threw full, opened Gatorade bottles in the air, fell to the ground and started laughing and rolling around.
We had some down time between our game and the championship, because the 7th grade teams played their championship game first. In the lobby area between the gyms, I saw the principal of my school talking to a parent of one of the other team's players. (I work in a school with a very supportive administration. This game was on a Saturday, and our Principal came to watch.)
The parent called me over, and was very complementary about my coaching style. He said it was nice to see a coach who had fun, and didn't rip into the team when things weren't going according to plan. (25-2. Twenty five... Two... And those two points came from their missed serves...)
I was appreciative of the comments, and wished him and their team the best for the future.
Once he left, my principal said, "Well that was nice."
"Yeah," I said.
"You know who that was?"
"?"
"Todd Gongwer. He wrote a book on coaching."
"Oh?"
"No. For real. His daughter plays on the 7th grade team."
"?"
My principal, winning me over: "For real. He wrote a book on coaching. There was a write-up about it in The Elkhart Truth. Urban Meyer read it, and I think he has his team read it as well. Lou Holtz. A bunch of people. He wrote a book about coaching, and he called you a good coach."
"Yeesh."
In the finals, we won game one, lost game two, and I'm not going to tell you what happened in game three. Because it doesn't matter. It's 8th grade volleyball. And the important things are the relationships we've built, how we've all (players, coaches, parents, fans) become better people, and the lessons we've learned.
Okay. We lost game three 11-15, after nearly sealing it in two: 24-25... But that last paragraph holds true. Before that last match started, our principal brought me over a book.
"I hope he signed it," I said.
*Before I write the story, you should know that Urban Meyer wrote the forward. It's got blurbs from him, Lou Holtz, Bob Stoops, Monty Williams, John Smoltz, and dozens of others.*
I coach 8th grade volleyball. I have for what... 10? 11? 12? years now? Our school has about 400-450 8th graders, so we always field two teams. Before school sponsored soccer started, we'd have 80 kids try out, and we'd keep about 24. Lately we have 30-40 kids trying out. It's still a lot of cuts; a lot of tears.
We had an interesting season last year. Every year. I enjoy coaching junior high kids. It's a nice bridge between the pure fun of young players and strict competition of the older ones. It's about developing skill, but more importantly, developing people. I didn't become a teacher to coach. In fact, I only coached chess my first year. But that's what coaching is, right? Teaching?
Well, our season started off well. And no matter what level you play at, there's less tension when you are winning. But then we weren't. And these girls went something like 14-4 their 7th grade year. Sitting at 7-7 was a blow to their egos, and had me doubting myself as well.
I don't really yell as a coach. Maybe I should yell more. I try to keep things in perspective: it's 8th grade volleyball. But nobody wants to see their daughter cry. And some people think their kids are great. And these girls were great - are great.
Our conference has an end-of-the-season tournament. We had a bye in the first round, and beat a much improved team in the second. So, we advanced to stiffer competition to the semi-finals. The team we played beat us in the regular season... 25-12 (with their starters) 25-23 (with their backups.) We had our work cut out for us, but we'd improved so much.
Junior high volleyball in Indiana goes best-of-three, and we came out fired up. AND WE WON GAME ONE!!! 25-23!!! It was a CRAZY game. Well played on both sides. Everything you could hope for. One more game, and we were off to the finals.
But then in game two, the other team jumped out to an early lead. ...A big lead. At something like 7-0 I called a time out early. At 13-1 I used my second and final timeout. The girls weren't really doing anything wrong. They were playing well, but they couldn't catch a break. Literally, not a break. Serves would hit the tape and drop. I had them take a step back, they got caught with a short serve. When they moved up, they got beat deep. Every adjustment I made was overcome. Easily.
I'll let you guess the morale. What the court looked like. Remember, these are 8th grade girls. I get frustrated by losses, and when I'm playing poorly, and when things are out of my control... I'm not going to paint a picture of what the court looked like.
We lost 25-2. The two points we got came because they missed two serves.
...
...
...
Yeah. It was bad. It was the worst defeat I'd suffered in any sport, ever - as far as I could recall. The girls didn't really feel like playing game three. (You can imagine.)
But we talked. They talked. I talked. We had three minutes to talk.
In that three minutes, we regrouped and went back out there and won game three.
YOU. WOULD. NOT. BELIEVE the feeling. When it became evident we were going to win, I asked the girls not to storm the court. We'd just suffered a crushing defeat, and we took the a shot at the trophy away from a very deserving team.
We ran outside and started screaming, once we were away from everyone else. Two girls threw full, opened Gatorade bottles in the air, fell to the ground and started laughing and rolling around.
We had some down time between our game and the championship, because the 7th grade teams played their championship game first. In the lobby area between the gyms, I saw the principal of my school talking to a parent of one of the other team's players. (I work in a school with a very supportive administration. This game was on a Saturday, and our Principal came to watch.)
The parent called me over, and was very complementary about my coaching style. He said it was nice to see a coach who had fun, and didn't rip into the team when things weren't going according to plan. (25-2. Twenty five... Two... And those two points came from their missed serves...)
I was appreciative of the comments, and wished him and their team the best for the future.
Once he left, my principal said, "Well that was nice."
"Yeah," I said.
"You know who that was?"
"?"
"Todd Gongwer. He wrote a book on coaching."
"Oh?"
"No. For real. His daughter plays on the 7th grade team."
"?"
My principal, winning me over: "For real. He wrote a book on coaching. There was a write-up about it in The Elkhart Truth. Urban Meyer read it, and I think he has his team read it as well. Lou Holtz. A bunch of people. He wrote a book about coaching, and he called you a good coach."
"Yeesh."
In the finals, we won game one, lost game two, and I'm not going to tell you what happened in game three. Because it doesn't matter. It's 8th grade volleyball. And the important things are the relationships we've built, how we've all (players, coaches, parents, fans) become better people, and the lessons we've learned.
Okay. We lost game three 11-15, after nearly sealing it in two: 24-25... But that last paragraph holds true. Before that last match started, our principal brought me over a book.
"I hope he signed it," I said.
July 14, 2020
Incredible read. Moved into my top books.
The Why, The Prayer, The Purpose, The People, The Will, The Passion all comes from the Heart.
The Why, The Prayer, The Purpose, The People, The Will, The Passion all comes from the Heart.
June 18, 2018
This book was a miss for me. The parable didn’t work well for these ideas, unless it was to a very specific audience. I felt the story was too carefully constructed to feel real.
See my full review: https://northofnonsensesouthofsophist...
See my full review: https://northofnonsensesouthofsophist...
May 13, 2016
Quite possibly the worst written book I've read. Basically retold the same story four times in the first 100 pages, with generic writing no less. Didn't waste anymore of my time after that.
November 24, 2020
Amazing! Heart wrenching but a beautiful story on how we should lead our lives. So simple but yet so difficult.
November 6, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be an easy read and quite insightful. I would definitely recommend it to young adults as they venture out in their careers. Finding their purpose in life...sometimes not as easy to know when life gets complicated.
June 25, 2015
Everyday in my work I try to get students to change their communication skills for the better. Changing behavior is hard work for me but especially for the students! I pick up leadership/teacher inspiration books occasionally to recharge in the summer for the next year of teaching. I picked up this one because I heard Urban Meyer, the OSU coach and former Florida football coach, recommend it plus I am a sucker for a good sports analogy/parable for life (thank you Tom Archdeacon). This was a quick easy read with the reminder that leading is about more than the treasure (carrot) and hatchet (stick) of behaviorism although a little of that is okay. It really is about connecting with people and helping them connect to others and the "why" behind it all.
October 5, 2012
I couldn't get through it. I couldn't get into it. Not that it was poorly written, but if you are not a sports aficionado, you will not get into this story. Now, I can do a sports movie with a message, but in this book, I found myself not caring about the characters and what was going on. If you love sports, more specifically basketball, and can relate to what's going on, then I'm sure this will be a great book for you. It just wasn't for me.
February 19, 2015
I enjoy reading leadership books and this one had some great points but I am just not a fan of using these thoughts and points in a parable. I liked this book but I wouldn't say it was life changing.
July 7, 2015
While this book is at times redundant and a bit cumbersome, I gave it four stars because the storyline is engaging and the author captures the core of leadership: you have to sincerely and deeply care about the people you're leading regardless of your mission or their place in your organization.
March 3, 2016
It was a slow start but the last few chapters were great on the ideas of leadership!!
February 29, 2016
Easy read. Inspiring! Makes you gut check your purpose.
March 9, 2018
The book “Lead for God's Sake” takes place in Kentucky at Franklin North high school. A lot of which takes place in the gym, but the most important conversations happens in the janitors closet. The main character and the one telling the story is Coach Steve Rocker. Steve, a former Indiana University basketball star, was on his way to become one of the best basketball coaches in the state of Kentucky. Coach Rocker had an overall record of 356-41 as a high school coach. Another important character is the schools janitor Joe. Some think of him as wise and many think of him as crazy. Joe tends to pop out of nowhere.
Coach Rocker comes into another promising year of basketball coaching with his 90% of games won and a state qualifying team from the previous year. But something just isn’t right. Just a few games in the knights have already lost 3 games. Coach Rocker, attempting to figure out the problems, shuts out his family and home and dedicates all his time to figuring out the teams problems. As the season progresses coach is stuck and can not figure out how to straighten out the team. One early morning talk with the janitor confuses coach even more about his team. Many failed attempts later coach gives in and starts sitting down and talking with the wise old janitor joe. Now it up to you to read and figure out if cach can turn his season around.
In my opinion I think everyone should read this book. At some point in everyone’s lives a leadership position arises and tips from this book would help guide you through. I loved everything about this book. Whether you are a follower of god or not you will be entertained with the nail biting story of coach and his knights. Evan Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer said “Lead for God's Sake was one of the most powerful books I have ever read”. Such a bold but deserving statement. The reading level is perfect for high schoolers but the material is great for all people. If you can’t to read a good story and learn valuable life lessons the book “Lead for God's Sake” is for you.
Coach Rocker comes into another promising year of basketball coaching with his 90% of games won and a state qualifying team from the previous year. But something just isn’t right. Just a few games in the knights have already lost 3 games. Coach Rocker, attempting to figure out the problems, shuts out his family and home and dedicates all his time to figuring out the teams problems. As the season progresses coach is stuck and can not figure out how to straighten out the team. One early morning talk with the janitor confuses coach even more about his team. Many failed attempts later coach gives in and starts sitting down and talking with the wise old janitor joe. Now it up to you to read and figure out if cach can turn his season around.
In my opinion I think everyone should read this book. At some point in everyone’s lives a leadership position arises and tips from this book would help guide you through. I loved everything about this book. Whether you are a follower of god or not you will be entertained with the nail biting story of coach and his knights. Evan Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer said “Lead for God's Sake was one of the most powerful books I have ever read”. Such a bold but deserving statement. The reading level is perfect for high schoolers but the material is great for all people. If you can’t to read a good story and learn valuable life lessons the book “Lead for God's Sake” is for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2017
The book that I read for Red Dot was “Lead... For God’s Sake!” by Todd Gongwer. This was actually a very good read because I know the Author personally. Todd Gongwer (coach G) is the coach of my AAU team and when he asked me to play for him this summer I decided to ready his book and get a feel for what his messgae was.
This is very powerful. I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages! I actually think that we should make it a book that we read in class. This book is about a coach that is going through a tough losing streak with his high school boys basketball team. This is also making it difficult on his family life at home and his life at work. Well he runs into a custodian one night at the office and really enlightened him. “Lead... For God’s Sake!” has a very good message especially for people at an early stage in there life and not sure what there purpose is. Todd repeats a lot of important phrases such as, “Lead for God sake”. He tends to yell this at his team in the book because they are struggling to find leaders.
What I like about this book is the message that is talked about. I think that today in our lives we are lacking good quality leaders. This book will inspire every reader to try and do something to change there life for the better. For me, being Captain of the Boys basketball team is a huge responsibility and i think that it has taught me that I have the personality traits to be a very positive leader to others. Even if grown ups were to read this book, they can make there lives happier by putting heart and passion into everything they do. “Lead... For God’s Sake!” is a must read book for EVERYONE.
This is very powerful. I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages! I actually think that we should make it a book that we read in class. This book is about a coach that is going through a tough losing streak with his high school boys basketball team. This is also making it difficult on his family life at home and his life at work. Well he runs into a custodian one night at the office and really enlightened him. “Lead... For God’s Sake!” has a very good message especially for people at an early stage in there life and not sure what there purpose is. Todd repeats a lot of important phrases such as, “Lead for God sake”. He tends to yell this at his team in the book because they are struggling to find leaders.
What I like about this book is the message that is talked about. I think that today in our lives we are lacking good quality leaders. This book will inspire every reader to try and do something to change there life for the better. For me, being Captain of the Boys basketball team is a huge responsibility and i think that it has taught me that I have the personality traits to be a very positive leader to others. Even if grown ups were to read this book, they can make there lives happier by putting heart and passion into everything they do. “Lead... For God’s Sake!” is a must read book for EVERYONE.
December 9, 2019
This book was thought provoking and God honoring. Through the story of a coach and his desire to win, many questions begin to circulate in his mind when all of a sudden his team is not winning. There is plenty of blame to go around, but in the end, the coach begins to do some deep soul searching. Other characters enter the picture and a whole story begins to evolve around the idea of questioning why we do what we do. The reader finds himself on the same journey as the coach and is forced to answer the question of, "What is my purpose in life?"
At times, the reader finds himself wanting the book to move more quickly and just give the answers. However, that is the point. The author very cleverly places you in the same spot as the coach, and you are forced to figure things out. By the end, you will have answers, but it will then become a matter of if you chose to put those answers into play.
At times, the reader finds himself wanting the book to move more quickly and just give the answers. However, that is the point. The author very cleverly places you in the same spot as the coach, and you are forced to figure things out. By the end, you will have answers, but it will then become a matter of if you chose to put those answers into play.
December 20, 2019
In story/parable form, author Todd Gongwer reminds us that the essence of leadership is service, and that we serve those that we love, and love those that we serve. He also reminds us that relationships - family, friends, church, community - is what is most important in the end, and what we will be remembered for. All of the money, power, and titles in the world are meaningless if we can't share them with those we love, and use them to benefit their lives.
June 15, 2022
I had though my this was going to be a typical leadership book full of research, statistics, figures and graphs (which is not great when your reading via audio book), boy was I wrong.
The ideas are clearly presented and the research is certainly there but the presentation of these teachings through the book-long narrative of a high school basketball coach is engaging and grounded. It truly draws you in cognitively and emotionally.
The ideas are clearly presented and the research is certainly there but the presentation of these teachings through the book-long narrative of a high school basketball coach is engaging and grounded. It truly draws you in cognitively and emotionally.
April 25, 2020
I was really exited to read this book because of the rave reviews it received. And while the principles are sound, it was so hard to get through. I actually struggled reading diligently through the first half and spent the remainder half reading half skimming chapters. There was so much that could have been cut out to still arrive at the same place and ease the chore of getting to the end.
December 24, 2021
A little cheesy but a great message and a great reminder of what’s truly important in life. Anyone can be - and everyone is - a leader in some form or fashion. The best leaders lead with a greater sense of purpose than just material or worldly successes. Definitely a nice little parable to drive the point home.
April 8, 2024
Read this book as a team for Grace Basketball. A short story that shows the janitors impact for not getting caught up in the things of this world. Ultimately, the coach realizes he is putting his faith and trust in the wrong thing.
Todd Gongwer came and spoke to our team after we read this book and that was a great discussion.
Todd Gongwer came and spoke to our team after we read this book and that was a great discussion.
November 29, 2017
I have mixed feelings about the book. The message was great, the plot was difficult to get through. His conversations seemed redundant. I gave it 4 stars because I still think it's a must read for people as a self help book, not as fiction.
January 26, 2018
If you are in a position of influence of our youth of today this is a must read. Parent, teacher, coach, administrator, janitor .....everyone will identify the importance of what their influence can be in a young persons life! Worthwhile reading.
April 28, 2019
"You don't need to be a pastor, a missionary, or a youth leader to be in full-time ministry. All you need is to be committed to living out your purpose in life. You know, glorifying God by loving Him and loving others."
- Todd G. Gongwer
- Todd G. Gongwer
January 6, 2020
Amazing story and personal journey. This book makes you want to pause, highlight, remember and cry all at the same time. If you are a coach or anyone who influences others, especially teenagers, this is a myst read!!!!!
April 23, 2020
Excellent book on the heart of leadership and really what it takes to be a true leader. This opened my eyes to a lot of different aspects that center around the primary question of "why I do what I do." I think no matter what profession we are in, that one question must be answered.
May 2, 2021
An absolute must read for anyone! Take the time to just read it. You will not regret it
I purchased this book august 2018 and it moved around my house but ALWAYS was visible and almost like begging for me to read. I finally pick it up this month and I absolutely do not regret it
I purchased this book august 2018 and it moved around my house but ALWAYS was visible and almost like begging for me to read. I finally pick it up this month and I absolutely do not regret it
May 30, 2021
This book was fantastic! I had a tough start with it since the book is partially sports-focused (not a real interest of mine) but once I made it past the first few chapters I was hooked. Incredibly valuable insight on how and why we should lead with God in mind.
January 13, 2023
Well written, easy read, great message. I'm usually not a fan of books that push religion but this book does a good job of keeping it light, effective, and delivering a great message woven into an entertaining story.
January 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It is not your typical "leader motivation" book. Written as a story, the lessons are presented in an easy to read and understand manner. I would recommend this book for anyone who is in, or hoping to be in, a leadership position and anyone who works with others!
January 11, 2024
An INCREDIBLE story about leadership and what it all really means. That to truly lead you need to start with your relationship with God and build on that foundation. A must read for any Coach, Teacher, leader, parent, etc. A true inspiration.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews