Book Review: Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenges

The automatic assumption when it comes to leadership is that only those at the upper echelons of corporations and government. Another assumption is that great leaders are born with innate abilities that are not teachable. The focus of many studies has been on top level executives portraying them as the role models for everyone to follow. Research done by James Kouzes and Barry Posner has shown there are five key principles to leadership. These principles are applicable across levels, occupations, locations, and other factors. Even though each leader who was studied was unique, it was found that five principles appeared time and again in regards to leadership. A person who studies these principles and applies them to their lives will strengthen their leadership skills and impact the world. These five principles are: 1) Model the Way, 2) Inspire a Shared Vision, 3) Challenge the Process, 4) Enable Others to Act, and 5) Encourage the Heart.[1]

The first principle is to Model the Way. There is an old saying that if a person is not willing to stand for something, they are likely to fall for anything. There is a leadership application in this saying. Leaders must have core values for which they have a passion. In knowing their beliefs and values, this gives them their voice. They then are able to share these values and beliefs in their own unique style. Words may be beautiful when spoken but if the actions do not match then soon the words lose their luster. There must be continuity between the words and the actions for the leader to have integrity. Leaders are role models for their followers. Leaders must insure that their deeds are properly aligned with their values. This requires the leader to work on herself and work on herself more before working on others. A leader must remember that there is always the danger of falling into the trap of teaching people what to do without living it.[2]

The second principle is to inspire a shared vision. Information may travel on a superhighway in the 21^st century but the vision travels on a dirt road that is not even on the GPS. Leaders can only visualize what the future can be. It is not enough to have an exciting vision, a leader must be able to recruit others to follow the vision. The greatest visions in history have emerged from great suffering and persistence. For the Christian, vision is based in a firm faith and assurance. It is not enough to have a vision but a leader must be able to articulate the vision in such a manner that her followers will readily take it for their own vision. Leaders must be willing to listen and collaborate with others. While this is slower process, it builds consensus and allows followers to take ownership of the dream.[3]

The third principle is that of challenging the process. A leader understands her job is to be a change agent. She is to actively seek out opportunities to change, grow, and improve. Leaders are willing to be the catalyst for change in not only the organization they lead but also the world. They understand that change cannot be effective unless it is taken in baby steps. Leaders must show patience in taking these small steps understanding that these ordinary small steps will lead to extraordinary things. The small victories eventually lead to the big win. Leaders learn from their mistakes and move on from those mistakes. Leaders must be willing to sacrifice and show the courage to maintain the course despite setbacks that bedevil any endeavor. To do this, leaders must be preparing to suffer and persevere in any great undertaking.[4]

The fourth principle is enabling others to act. This means giving people the responsibility to do a job and the authority to do it. An old cliché states that no man is an island. A wise leader knows this is true in leadership. She cannot do it by herself. Wise leaders promote collaboration with cooperative goals and creating an atmosphere of trust. This trust is built on a foundation of a leader willing to give away power to her followers. The wise leader seeks out talent like a scout for a professional baseball team then as a coach helps that person develop her talent to its fullest potential.[5]

The final principle is for the leader to encourage the heart. In any great effort, there is always the temptation to give up. When the road is hard, people have the tendency to quit. Encouragement makes the difference. Leaders know the impact a kind word or recognition of good work can have on their followers. Encouragement is the kindling for the flames of determination to get a job done. By celebrating victories, the leader builds a sense of community so that members feel that if the team wins, they win. Leaders must show heart. They must be willing to be servant leaders following the model of Jesus Christ who is the ultimate servant leader. The leader’s head must also be in the right place. The leader must focus on the mission with a picture of the future using her values as her guide. This leads to action so that the future envisioned may become reality.

In conclusion, leadership is about relationships. It is not only the relationship between the leader and those who chose to follow but it includes the relationship between the leader and God. Faith is the basis of leadership. Faith informs the leader to what values are worthwhile and supports the leader even in the midst of tribulation. True leaders serve others as Christ did, sacrifice as Christ did, and they keep hope alive as the empty tomb provides the hope for the believer.

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[1] Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenges, ed. James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006), 1-38.

[2] Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenges, ed. James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006), 41-54.

[3] Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenges, ed. James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006), 55-68.

[4] Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenges, ed. James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006), 69-81.

[5] Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenges, ed. James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006), 82-98.

Reference

Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenges. Edited by Kouzes, James M. and Barry Z. Posner. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2006.