Houwen writes about Christian leadership and provides a profile in stark contrast to worldly values. His ideal leader is a praying leader, a vulnerable leader, a trusting leader, one who voluntarily chooses a life of downward mobility. This book, however, is not just for formal Christian leaders, but for anyone who wants to be focused on what is really important in the Christian life--being genuine and vulnerable, and loving others through that vulnerability. Nouwen shows how the most effective leadership is very simple. It's about emptying ourselves, taking up our cross, and sharing that journey with those in our care.