FROM GLOW TO GLUE: An Inspired Leadership Strategy That Sticks is a Christian-inspired guide to servant-centered leadership. As author Jeffrey J. Jaime, owner of a cybersecurity firm, asserts, “Leadership isn’t about exerting authority or wielding control. It’s about leaning into service, meeting people where they are, and seeing them for who they are.” The 230-page book comprises nine chapters that examine topics including the evolution of leadership, the science of giving, building emotional connections, and faith. As Jaime writes, “My background in leadership, combined with my deep commitment to faith, has given me a unique perspective on what it takes to build lasting bonds within a team.”
Citing global figures on the cost of low employee engagement ($8.9 trillion in 2024), he says “many leaders need help to create environments where people feel truly connected and committed.” He tells stories about how he accomplishes this within his own company: going out with employees to pay for selected people’s groceries in the checkout line; getting a car for a woman whose vehicle has been in an accident so she can go to church with her children; and hooking up with a charity to build a well for a village in Burkina Faso.
On this last, Jaime writes, “Since the villagers had not seen clean water like this before, the missionaries were able to explain how our God, who loves them deeply, is the one responsible for providing this to them.” As a result, he says, many of them converted to Christianity. He devotes a whole chapter to religious belief, titled “The Faith Factor,” in which he tells the story of how his wife got pregnant after they had tried and failed to conceive for eight years. This chapter has no business advice, save the argument that promoting Christian faith-based principles is the best way to build a strong team. Also, Jaime’s examples of such team-building aren’t always ideal. For instance, he praises apparel firm Patagonia for donating 1% of its sales to environmental causes, ignoring the allegations of greenwashing that have dogged the company.
Jaime provides specific strategies for team-building, most of which can be found in many leadership business books. What makes his book different is the Christian perspective that permeates its pages, which he claims is the glue for servant-centered leadership.
Jeffrey J. Jaime’s advice in FROM GLOW TO GLUE: An Inspired Leadership Strategy That Sticks would be most effective for employees who are also devout Christians, but many of the guidelines can be adopted without faith.
~ Kevin Baldeosingh for IndieReader