Book Review-ish: Redeeming Power

One of my reading goals for 2026 is to re-read Ann Garrido's trilogy on redeeming the aspects of leadership that feel "icky" in ministry and nonprofit. The books are all worth reading and reflecting on; prior to application to the daily practice of a school leader. So rather than pursue my usual review format - review followed by assessment. These Review-ishes will be more of a digital notebook offering up what I see as highlights especially in the context of school leadership. Today's review-ish is on Redeeming Power by Ann M. Garrido.

Previously: Redeeming Conflict.

Garrido's approach in Power differs from Conflict even as the basic model - 12 chapters with an exemplar from (Christian) history - remains the same. This text is grounded in a sequential reading of Genesis but regularly includes echoes of the Gospels. This grounding leads to the natural broader inclusion of rabbinical and Talmudic sources as Garrido dives into the way God's power spreads to us - for good and bad.

The first clear insight in the text for me is a discussion of what the word power means in the context of Christian leadership (13-14):

The first way we use the word power is linked with the Latin potentia..."the ability to do something"...the second way is linked with the Latin potestas...current literature often refers to this kind of power as 'power over'

Garrido details the way the power over permeates leadership with - especially in a post-Me too world - notations on strength, knowledge, role, wealth, access, charisma, privilege, and integrity.

Garrido's conception of leadership mirrors my own -- the key to good leadership is a humble, servant-oriented mentality. In the first principle's chapter, "Exercising the Power to Work with Our Hands" she cements in this on rabbinical understanding that: "Everything else was created by an act of speech; only man was created with the ands of God" (22). This humility also extends to understanding our shortcomings and both offering to help (rather than presuming) and accepting feedback.

Similarly, her insight into the differences in the way God seems to create across the two stories is a powerful insight into modalities of leadership (56-57):

The first story of creation presents us with a God who is 'on top of things.' A God who has a well-organized plan and sticks with it...In this second story of creation, we meet a God who 'goes with the flow,' a God who is responsive to each needs as it arises, and a God who is always on call... As Catholics in leadership, both organization and flexibility will be asked of us.

Later, Garrido discusses the power to bring people together just as Jesus did so. The flipside of this challenge is the way leaders can be removed from the people they serve. As such, leaders are required to make boundaries, which "help us to know what true love looks like when put into action" (114). Our power may best be us to stand firm, ask questions, or repent.

I found Redeeming Power more meditative and less structured - and also less practical - but still highlight recommend it. If you haven’t picked up Redeeming Power by Ann M. Garrido, I encourage you to do so!