This book is of great value to any boss — lost or found. But when it is combined and connected to spiritual truths in the Bible, it becomes powerful for the believer. As with many secular books, great thinkers, even the lost, are only discovering God’s creation and God’s principles.
Every mature Christian is going to lead someone. They may lead their kids, their employees, their church teams, or even a larger group. God takes prepared, confident and skilled believers and deploys them to lead others in discipleship, lead His work for the Kingdom, and a host of other great opportunities. The concepts in this book when exploded by Scriptural truth bring disruption to the often narcissistic leaders in the church world and challenge us to become servant-minded.
We have disciples read and review the book over three weeks,
- Asking them to support or deny Sutton’s ideas with God’s truths about leadership, humility, and service.
- If they make the connections well, we simply move to the next chapter.
- If they struggle to make those direct and indirect connections, we meander through the reviews guiding them to critical thinking. We want them to not only get the truths about leadership but to master critical thinking and adjust themselves to God’s truths that connect to Good Boss, Bad Boss.
Here is our three week reading plan with some sample ideas,
Week 1 – Chapters: Preface, 1–3
Theme: What separates great bosses from destructive ones; why small daily actions matter.
- How does Sutton define the difference between a “good boss” and a “bad boss”?
- What small daily habits distinguish effective leaders? Which do you see (or not see) in your workplace?
- Sutton stresses “attitude and behavior trump formal power.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
- Who was the best boss you’ve had? What specific actions made them effective?
Week 2 – Chapters: 4–6
Theme: Spreading respect, building safety, managing up, and dealing with toxic bosses.
- Sutton argues that “what happens in the boss’s head spreads to the team.” How have you seen this in action?
- What does it mean to foster psychological safety, and why is it critical for performance?
- What strategies does Sutton recommend for “managing your boss”? Which could you apply in your context?
- Think of a toxic boss you’ve known. What ripple effects did their behavior create across the organization?
Week 3 – Chapters: 7–9, Epilogue
Theme: Persistence, humility, learning, and leaving a lasting positive legacy as a boss.
- What role does humility play in being a great boss, according to Sutton?
- Sutton says great bosses “absorb blame and spread credit.” How can you practice that in your own role?
- How do you want people to describe your leadership legacy 5–10 years from now?
- Which single change from this book would most improve your leadership today?
We use the standard non-fiction approach to review asking first, “Okay, who got what out of chapter X?” Then we follow the discussion around the room until the Spirit or the observations are complete. Then we move to the next chapter. We are always asking, “Does this have any application to you?” and “Is this biblically consistent?” We really want disciples to connect the Bible to the book and confirm/deny the data.
