This is the story of Leading Jesus’ Way: Become the Servant Leader God Created You To Be</em> by Mark Deterding.
Challenge
Mark Deterding had a proven system. He developed his approach to servant leadership while rising up the corporate ladder in the printing industry. Over the years, he refined the material so that others would understand what he meant when he said that Jesus was the ultimate leadership model.” The people Mark taught the model to became more productive and effective leaders. Mark wanted to write a book about it so that it would help people he couldn’t reach in person.
There was only one small problem. Mark was not a very good writer. Even his wife agreed. She called his manuscript “unreadable.”
Mark set out to learn to create a great book. He took online courses and read lots of advice. Alas, the book didn’t get any better. Unless Mark got some help, he knew that his book would never be as good as the program he developed.
Mark followed my blog for about a year before reaching out. What solidified his decision was a moment he calls “a divine appointment.”
Mark came to me in part because we shared a view of how a Christian faith can work out in real life. Mark knew I wrote books and coached authors. After we got to know each other, we decided that together we could create a book that was as good as Mark’s program.
Action
I reviewed what Mark already had. He had a program that worked. It worked for people at all levels of management, and it was based on learnable skills. We didn’t have to do anything with the program.
The manuscript was a different story. The prose needed improvement, but an editor could have done that. The real problem was that the book was solid and systematic but not compelling. It lacked life because it lacked stories.
Mark said, “Wally had a brilliant process of asking questions that pulled stories out of me.” There were great stories. I still remember the story of the plant manager who carried fishing jigs in his left trouser pocket to remind him to stop for conversations with employees. Each time he had one of those conversations, he moved a jig from his left pocket to his right. Then there was the owner of a large business who said his life mission was to “Lift people up and make Jesus smile.”
Mark didn’t enjoy writing, but we created a disciplined, chapter-by-chapter process that made writing easier by giving it structure. I also reminded him that the book was important, worth writing, and would have an impact. I think every client needs that kind of reassurance.
Result
Most business books sell only a couple of hundred copies in their lifetime. Leading Jesus’ Way has sold more than 10,000 copies since it was published in 2016, and sales are accelerating. Mark’s company, Triune Leadership Services, has grown to include four other consultants who teach the material.
What Mark Says
“Wally, there’s hardly a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for you and what you did in making that book come to fruition. It was such a blessing. Once you got into the mix, Wally, everything changed. because you made it a fun process from bringing the stories out. It would never have happened without you.”