Book Review of "How To Lead When You're Not In Charge" by Clay Scroggins

Author:
Trish Swords
Date:
September 4, 2025

Trish Swords is administrative assistant at the Max De Pree Center for Leadership. Here she reviews Clay Scroggins book, "How to Lead When You're Not in Charge : Leveraging influence when you lack authority". The book is helpful for everyone regardless of experience, and engagingly written. Scroggins has first hand experience as a pastor, and offers six studies with reference to leadership wisdom found in Scripture.

"Scroggins discusses the concept of challenging up and incorporates scripture references from Corinthians to support his ideas on valuing those who are leading.  He also argues that authority is not needed to be a good leader—a good leader will lead with or without authority.  A leader will lead when needed, regardless of their level of authority. Scroggins references 1 Peter 5:6 to support this concept: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”  When our intention is for good, we have the power of God behind our actions."

https://depree.org/de-pree-journal/book-review-how-to-lead-when-youre-not-in-charge

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