Lead Like It Matters to God Study Guide: Eight Sessions on Becoming a Values-Driven Leader by Richard Stearns Summary

1. Values-driven leadership prioritizes character over success in secular and sacred workplaces.
2. Surrender and sacrifice form the foundation of Christ-centered leadership cultures.
3. Integrity and humility create workplaces where teams thrive beyond profit metrics.
4. Courageous leadership requires defending ethical standards during crises and unpopular decisions.
5. Generosity and forgiveness transform organizational culture more effectively than strict policies.
6. Balance and self-awareness prevent burnout while modeling sustainable Christian leadership.
7. Perseverance through failure demonstrates faith more powerfully than unchecked ambition.
8. Listening and encouragement elevate employee dignity in success-driven corporate environments.
9. Humor and love humanize leadership while advancing Kingdom-oriented business goals.
10. Excellence paired with servant leadership reshapes industries through ethical influence.

Über den Autor von Lead Like It Matters to God Study Guide

Richard Stearns, author of Lead Like It Matters to God, is a bestselling Christian author and global humanitarian leader renowned for blending faith-driven principles with executive leadership.

A Wharton MBA graduate and former CEO of Lenox Inc., Stearns shifted from corporate success to leading World Vision U.S. for 20 years, expanding its annual revenue to over $1 billion and prioritizing global crises like HIV/AIDS and refugee relief.

His writings, including the ECPA Book of the Year The Hole in Our Gospel and Unfinished: Believing Is Only the Beginning, challenge Christians to address poverty and injustice through actionable faith. Lead Like It Matters to God reflects Stearns’ career-spanning philosophy of values-first leadership, merging biblical wisdom with management insights honed across Fortune 500 and nonprofit sectors.

Translated into multiple languages, his works are widely used in church groups and academic settings, with The Hole in Our Gospel selling over 500,000 copies and inspiring a generation of faith-based activism.

Stearns and his wife, Renee, live in Washington State, where they continue advocating for vulnerable communities worldwide.

FAQ zu Lead Like It Matters to God Study Guide

What is Lead Like It Matters to God about?

Lead Like It Matters to God by Richard Stearns advocates values-driven leadership rooted in Christian principles, emphasizing character over success. It outlines 17 core values—including integrity, humility, courage, and love—to help leaders align their work with faith. Drawing from Stearns' experience as CEO of Parker Brothers, Lenox, and World Vision US, the book merges secular and sacred leadership insights to create workplaces reflecting Christ’s character.

Who should read Lead Like It Matters to God?

This book targets Christian leaders in business, nonprofits, or ministry seeking to integrate faith with professional practices. It’s ideal for executives, managers, and emerging leaders prioritizing ethical decision-making, team culture, and spiritual growth. Stearns’ dual experience in corporate and humanitarian sectors makes it valuable for those navigating secular environments while maintaining Christian witness.

Is Lead Like It Matters to God worth reading?

Yes—ranked a Christian Book Award Finalist and Outcomes Conference Book of the Year, it offers actionable frameworks for faith-aligned leadership. Readers praise its blend of personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical strategies for fostering integrity, generosity, and perseverance in high-pressure environments.

What are the 17 leadership values in Lead Like It Matters to God?

Stearns identifies: surrender, sacrifice, trust, excellence, love, humility, integrity, vision, courage, generosity, forgiveness, self-awareness, balance, humor, encouragement, perseverance, and listening. These values aim to transform workplaces by prioritizing Christ-like character and servant leadership.

How does Lead Like It Matters to God differ from secular leadership books?

Unlike success-driven guides, Stearns prioritizes eternal impact over metrics, advocating leaders to act as “kingdom ambassadors.” While secular books focus on profit or influence, this work ties leadership to spiritual accountability, emphasizing humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial service.

What practical examples does Richard Stearns share?

Stearns recounts reducing World Vision’s overhead while tripling revenue, navigating corporate mergers at Lenox, and advocating for global crises like HIV/AIDS. These stories illustrate applying values like courage, vision, and perseverance in complex scenarios.

Can Lead Like It Matters to God help with workplace conflicts?

Yes—chapters on forgiveness, listening, and humility provide tools for resolving disputes, fostering trust, and modeling grace. Stearns argues that Christ-centered values improve team dynamics and organizational health, even in secular settings.

What is the role of “surrender” in Stearns’ leadership philosophy?

Stearns calls surrender the starting point for Christian leadership, urging leaders to relinquish control to God. This posture shifts focus from personal ambition to divine guidance, enabling decisions rooted in faith rather than fear or ego.

How does the book address work-life balance?

The “balance” value encourages leaders to prioritize family, health, and spiritual disciplines alongside professional goals. Stearns warns against burnout, advocating boundaries and self-awareness to sustain long-term impact.

Are there critiques of Lead Like It Matters to God?

Some may find its overtly Christian framework less applicable to interfaith teams. However, its principles—like integrity and excellence—remain universally relevant. A few reviewers desire more tactical steps for implementing values in secular corporations.

Does the book include a study guide?

Yes—an 8-session companion guide provides discussion questions, reflection prompts, and exercises to apply the 17 values. Groups use it to explore topics like “vision vs. courage” and “generosity vs. forgiveness,” fostering collaborative growth.

Why is Lead Like It Matters to God relevant in 2025?

Amid global crises and workplace polarization, Stearns’ focus on hope, reconciliation, and ethical leadership resonates deeply. The book equips leaders to address modern challenges—like AI ethics or remote team dynamics—with timeless biblical values.