Book Review: I've Got Your Back by James C. Galvin

All human beings are both followers and leaders. Whether within the home, at church, on the job, citizens of a country, members of a family, or volunteers at a charity organization every person fills both roles in one sense or another. If you find yourself in the role of leader, the question you have probably never asked yourself is "Am I a good follower?" This book helps to define those roles and to encourage everyone to reach for a better way of filling the shoes we fill.

 
"Another book on leadership?" you ask. But this book is unlike any other book I have read on the subject. The first portion of the book is actually told in story form presenting the reader with the not uncommon predicament of four young adults who want to become more effective workers. They are mentored by a well seasoned Army sergeant who also happened to serve as a missionary and Bible translator. At the end of the book, the same principles set forth in the story are presented in more detail and with scriptural back up for further study.

I absolutely loved the concept set up by this book. Here's a quick excerpt that really got to the heart of the leadership/followership dynamic:

"This kind of leading and following is so smooth that it is like ballroom dancing. One partner is the leader and the other is the follower, but they glide across the floor as one unit. It's difficult to observe who is leading and who is following."

I have always seen the roles as distinct and separate and yet this book helps to demystify the barriers that we set up.  Whether you see yourself as a leader or a follower this book is a must read for every follower of Christ.

I received this book free for review from Handlebar Publishing.