Ch. 14: Spiritual Leadership
The text defines Spiritual Leadership as the display of values, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to intrinsically motivate oneself and others toward a sense of spiritual expression through calling and membership (Daft, 2018).
J. Oswald Sanders wrote a book in 1967, which was updated in 2007, called Spiritual Leadership that discussed qualities of good leadership that included; discipline, vision, wisdom, courage, humility, integrity, and sincerity. He devoted a chapter specifically to being "Spirit-filled," which he defined as the most important quality for spiritual leadership, the Spirit meaning God. I think most leaders would agree that many of the above discussed qualities are important characteristics of being a good leader. However, when you mention spiritual leadership to some, the undertone that many take that to only equate that to Christianity, God, or religion often overshadows the important qualities and true meaning behind spiritual leadership.
While many organizations may base their values and meaning on faith in God, other spiritual leaders inspire their followers with a vision of meaning based on various other principles and ideals. One primary ideal being altruistic love, which includes genuine caring, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, honesty, courage, patience, and appreciation (Daft, 2018). Other ideals discussed in the text included hope and faith through perseverance, endurance, goals, and clear expectation of victory through effort. Again, these characteristics are all great ones in terms of adding to a leaders skill set. Spirituality and leadership often play a crucial role in terms of values and ethics. Ethics and leadership are rooted in spirituality because leadership ensures ethics and ethics being central to leadership (Meng, 2016).
The text also discussed the aspect of spiritual leadership as being an instrument to eliminate negative emotions and conflict in the workplace and provide a stronger foundation for personal well-being. These four types of destructive emotions were specifically discussed: (1) anxiety, fear, and worry; (2) anger and resentment; (3) sense of failure and depression; and (4) pride and selfishness, which all arise from fear of losing something important (Daft, 2018). Everyone agrees that these emotions are a hindrance to growth and creativity in any environment, particularly the workplace. So if spiritual leadership is used as a means to decrease them, then it can be an effective viewpoint.
Generally, most individuals who believe that spiritual leadership has no place in leadership or the workplace comes from the belief that the leader's spirituality creates controversy with regard to proposed support for a particular faith or religion or a single potential source of spirituality (Meng, 2016). But not all spiritual leadership is based in that. The principles themselves are what it is rooted in and that is what is important.
Go here for >>> Citations
This blog will discuss the opposing views of spiritual leadership in the workplace.
J. Oswald Sanders wrote a book in 1967, which was updated in 2007, called Spiritual Leadership that discussed qualities of good leadership that included; discipline, vision, wisdom, courage, humility, integrity, and sincerity. He devoted a chapter specifically to being "Spirit-filled," which he defined as the most important quality for spiritual leadership, the Spirit meaning God. I think most leaders would agree that many of the above discussed qualities are important characteristics of being a good leader. However, when you mention spiritual leadership to some, the undertone that many take that to only equate that to Christianity, God, or religion often overshadows the important qualities and true meaning behind spiritual leadership.
While many organizations may base their values and meaning on faith in God, other spiritual leaders inspire their followers with a vision of meaning based on various other principles and ideals. One primary ideal being altruistic love, which includes genuine caring, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, honesty, courage, patience, and appreciation (Daft, 2018). Other ideals discussed in the text included hope and faith through perseverance, endurance, goals, and clear expectation of victory through effort. Again, these characteristics are all great ones in terms of adding to a leaders skill set. Spirituality and leadership often play a crucial role in terms of values and ethics. Ethics and leadership are rooted in spirituality because leadership ensures ethics and ethics being central to leadership (Meng, 2016).
The text also discussed the aspect of spiritual leadership as being an instrument to eliminate negative emotions and conflict in the workplace and provide a stronger foundation for personal well-being. These four types of destructive emotions were specifically discussed: (1) anxiety, fear, and worry; (2) anger and resentment; (3) sense of failure and depression; and (4) pride and selfishness, which all arise from fear of losing something important (Daft, 2018). Everyone agrees that these emotions are a hindrance to growth and creativity in any environment, particularly the workplace. So if spiritual leadership is used as a means to decrease them, then it can be an effective viewpoint.
Generally, most individuals who believe that spiritual leadership has no place in leadership or the workplace comes from the belief that the leader's spirituality creates controversy with regard to proposed support for a particular faith or religion or a single potential source of spirituality (Meng, 2016). But not all spiritual leadership is based in that. The principles themselves are what it is rooted in and that is what is important.
Go here for >>> Citations
Comments
Post a Comment