Book Review: Healthy Leadership

“Healthy Leadership for Thriving Organizations: Creating Contexts Where People Flourish” by Justin Irving offers a profound exploration of leadership principles, with a unique focus on those at the helm of larger organizations. Published in 2023 by Baker Academic, this book stands out for its explicit targeting of top-tier leaders, including CEOs, CFOs, Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Principals—an unusual approach that sets it apart in leadership literature.

Irving’s work is unabashedly Christian, weaving solid Biblical and theological perspectives into its foundational ideas. The book’s primary objective is to guide leaders in fostering thriving organizations through the foundational well-being of individuals within them. It is also particularly well-suited for those with overarching governance responsibilities, such as board members.

Structured in a logical progression, the book begins by examining the concept of leaders, then narrows its focus to leading oneself, leading teams, and guiding team members. The final section delves into the crucial characteristics of thriving organizations, covering aspects like communication, culture, crisis leadership, and change.

Its unapologetically Christian approach enriches the leadership discourse, offering a refreshing perspective on creating environments where individuals and organizations can flourish. “Healthy Leadership for Thriving Organizations” is a valuable resource for leaders aspiring to navigate the complexities of large organizations while remaining grounded in Christian principles.

I know this author personally and have not been disappointed in this book. Justin is a committed Christian academic and leader, living the values he researches and writes about. It is a book built on a foundation of prayer and integrity and I cannot recommend it highly enough.