Heads and Tails (Paperback)

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Rich Kriegbaum and witnessing firsthand his passion for nurturing Christian service and his profound insights drawn from a wealth of wisdom that make this book a transformative guide for aligning organizations with the divine purpose. With an unyielding dedication to the message of the gospel, he explores the delicate balance between following and leading, emphasizing that effective leadership must be rooted in humble service and the heart devoted to God’s calling.

As an individual who has been driven by a similar passion in developing International Bible schools, churches, conferences, and seminars, Heads and Tails speaks to the core of my own journey as a trusted shepherd and servant in the Kingdom. It reaffirms the significance of exploring new frontiers in spreading the Word of God, and it provides a blueprint for fostering organizations that are not only successful but also deeply rooted in the values of the Kingdom. With a remarkable ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and precision, it will equip you for effective following and leading. I wholeheartedly endorse this book to anyone seeking to make a profound impact on their organization, community, and beyond with a lasting legacy of faith, service, and transformation.

In a world where confusion often prevails, this book serves as an aid to more effective following and leading in the ongoing discovery of the shared purpose within their organization. By highlighting the exemplary life of Christ, this book empowers individuals to navigate followership and leadership together with conviction. I endorse Rich’s work, considering it an indispensable addition to the curriculum of the Masters in Strategic and Organizational Leadership program at Fresno Pacific University. The insights and interactive questions at the end of each chapter will catalyze meaningful introspection and spiritual development for our students. This book will help shape the next generation of leaders and followers to see and serve each other and remember their true purpose.

I found the topics of leading and following in this excellent book to be gripping; once I started reading, I could hardly put it down. The role of followership is central in every successful human enterprise. Rich Kriegbaum has done us all a service to elucidate a hitherto little-studied and undervalued dimension of organizational effectiveness. I want it for the people in my organization.

In a world obsessed with power, where leaders are worshipped for their charisma and productivity with little to no regard for character, and sadly a church posture that reflects far more the culture of the world and not the way of Jesus, Richard Kriegbaum offers us a fresh, invigorating, and radical perspective on how leaders and organizations can operate in a life-giving way. The concept of following is a much-needed clarion call for the times we are in. Read this with an open mind, a responsive heart, and willing hands.

This book brings together a biblical, theological, philosophical, and practical understanding in a way that influences the reader to examine and evaluate their own involvement as a follower and leader. Written by a Christian educator, the book has a textbook feel that communicates the relational dimension of influence through the lens of a Christ-follower called to influence the world more as God intended it to be. A whole course could be designed around the book as the primary text. What a great book!  Love it.

Richard Kriegbaum has written a Christ-centered catalyst for change that shows both sides of the leader-follower equation how to see themselves less as opponents with differing perspectives and objectives and more as allies working together to make the highest and best use of their God given talents. It is well crafted and extremely informative. It contains multiple techniques and tools for improving the way leaders and followers interact. I especially enjoy the Talking with God prayers and the Effectiveness Framework.

In Leadership Prayers Dr. Richard Kriegbaum presented leadership insights linking scripture, prayers, and corporate circumstances from his perspective as a leader. In Heads and Tails, he again draws on his extensive executive and consulting experiences to provide a unique perspective on the role and power of the follower. As a leader and a follower, if your goal is a successful organization with the values of the Kingdom of God, be it public, private, government, NGO, church, or family, this book will provide the tools, scriptural foundation, and prayers for great following and leading.

A fresh voice in a crowded room of leadership literature. Kriegbaum gets it.

Heads and Tails fills a void in the myriad of books that present models, methods, and measurements of effective leadership. Instead of making it all about the leader, Kriegbaum introduces the importance of followership and aptly describes the relationship between leader and follower. Both leader and followers have their respective roles and responsibilities. One cannot function or demonstrate effectiveness without the other. His description and understanding of the Kingdom of God is refreshing, rooted in scripture, and presented in a practical and understandable way. Head and Tails is a book for every person who has served in a leadership role and experienced frustration moving the organization towards a described future. 

So much has been written on effective leadership but too little has been written on effective followership. This book begins to bridge that gap in a compelling way. The format combines practical teaching with Biblical testimonies, beautifully crafted prayers, and thought-provoking questions for discussion and deeper consideration. In all, this is a challenging and insightful study into what makes up a kingdom-formed organization from both the leader and follower perspectives.