Authentic Leadership –Part 2

This is the second in a series of blog posts examining the subject of “Authentic Leadership.”

Part 1 was posted on June 6, 2016.

Abstract

What does it mean to be authentic? What does authentic leadership look like? What are the qualities and characteristics of an authentic leader? What deterrents are there to being authentic? Is authenticity a help or deterrent to strategic communication? What is the place of vulnerability and truthfulness in being authentic? To what leadership models should authentic leaders be compared? In this series of blog posts we will address these questions along with the postulation that authentic leadership must be measured universally against the servant leadership model exemplified by Jesus Christ, and individually against the specific gifts and purpose each individual has been endowed with by their Creator.

Authentic Leadership – Part 2

To What Models Should Authentic Leadership Be Compared?

We began this series last week by defining what it means to be authentic. We found that authenticity has to do with conforming to, copying, reproducing or having the same characteristics as an original. We continue this week suggesting that the best model of leadership to be emulated and conformed to is the selfless leadership exemplified by, arguably the greatest and most influential leader of all time, Christ Jesus.

First, Compare Against the Servant Leadership Model of Jesus Christ

⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! (NIV Bible, Philippians 2:5-8).

To the men Jesus himself was mentoring for future leadership, he taught…

²⁵ …“You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. ²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NLT Bible, Matthew 20:25-28).

Don Howell (2003) notes that, “Those who stand out in Scripture as leaders are designated, first of all, ‘servants of the Lord’” (p. 4). Christ exemplified leadership that brought righteousness through freedom, greatness through servanthood, and salvation through the courage of sacrifice. The apostle Paul admonished those who followed his leadership that they should in turn follow Christ's example: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (NIV Bible, 1 Corinthians 11:1).

Second, Compare Against the Gifts and Purpose for Which God has Created You

Secondly, authentic leadership must be compared against the specific gifts and purpose each individual has been endowed with by their Creator. Servant leadership means that one will not think more highly of themselves than they ought. The servant leader will realize the s/he is an equal member of an interdependent team.

⁴ Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (NIV Bible, Romans 12:4-6).

Authenticity, in this vein, is when one is doing and being exactly what the Creator has created them to do and be. This is hopefully in concord with others who are doing the same. Nevertheless, regardless of others, an authentic leader will be true to who they have been destined by their Creator to be.

  

(to be continued)

_______________ 

NOTE: Please visit this blog site each week (a new blog is posted every Monday). This blog entry is part 2 of a series of blog posts examining the subject of Authentic Leadership. Part 1 was posted on 2017-07-10.

Next week: Part 3 - “What Deterrents Are There to Being Authentic?”

References:

Howell, D.N. (2003). Servant of the Servant. A biblical theology of leadership.

Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers.

Authentic Leadership –Part 1

This is the first in a series of blog posts examining the subject of “Authentic Leadership.”

Abstract

What does it mean to be authentic? What does authentic leadership look like? What are the qualities and characteristics of an authentic leader? What deterrents are there to being authentic? Is authenticity a help or deterrent to strategic communication? What is the place of vulnerability and truthfulness in being authentic? To what leadership models should authentic leaders be compared? In this series of blog posts we will address these questions along with the postulation that authentic leadership must be measured universally against the servant leadership model exemplified by Jesus Christ, and individually against the specific gifts and purpose each individual has been endowed with by their Creator.

Authentic Leadership – Part 1

Being Authentic

What Does it Mean to be Authentic?

I remember watching Kevin Kostner’s (1990) Academy Award winning motion picture Dances with Wolves for the first time. The opening scene panned across a hodgepodge of civil War gear strewn about among wounded and bleeding soldiers. I was immediately impressed with the detail of the authentic looking items as they passed by the big screen. Even the stitching on the boots and the nails used to attach the heels were definitely different from what would be seen today. Later, I saw a behind-the-scenes feature about the making of the movie. The producers explained how they went to great lengths to be sure that every prop and costume was made authentically to the same specifications as what was actually used in the Civil War. These were not genuine Civil War artifacts, but authentic reproductions. In this sense, being authentic is not the same as being genuine.

Merriam-Webster (2016) defines the word authentic as…

…worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact… conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features… made or done the same way as an original… not false or imitation: real, actual… true to one’s personality, spirit, or character (Mirriam-Webster, 2016).

In each definition, authenticity has to do with conforming to, copying, reproducing or having the same characteristics as an original. Even being “true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character” implies comparing one’s behavior against previous norms. Therefore we may surmise that authenticity occurs only in comparison to something. This should not, however, imply that being authentic means something or someone is false or merely an imitation. A Civil War boot that is made with the same materials, using the same tools, and to the same specifications as the original boots is as real as the genuine article even if not the original. With this understanding of what it means to be authentic, we must also ask what we are comparing authenticity against.

Susan Scott (2004) expresses the belief that one cannot enjoy the life, make the decisions or be the leader they are capable of being unless their actions represent an authentic representation of who they really are. As authenticity relates to conversation, she admonishes, “You must deliberately, purposely come out from behind yourself into the conversation an make it real—at least your part of it” (p. 67). Scott’s definition of being authentic accentuates individualism. It is a process that begins “—when you cease to compare yourself with others and choose, instead, to live your life… It is a deepening integrity—when who you are and what you live are brought into alignment” (pp. 72-73). Karl Albrecht (2006) echoes this idea, suggesting that authenticity is the dimension of, “how honest and sincere you are with people and with yourself, in any given situation” (p. 87). Certainly individuals need to live their own life, discover their own gifts and fulfill their own purpose. This involves taking responsibility for our own actions. Steven Covey (1990) suggests that individuals should, “Look at the word responsibility as ‘response-ability’—the ability to choose your response” (p. 71). We must take responsibility for ourselves and be proactive. We cannot make our experience the same as anyone else’s. The measure of our authenticity as leaders is not in comparison to anyone else’s experience. Yet, by definition, authenticity requires that it be validated as compared against some original, norm or standard. If comparing ourselves with others is being inauthentic, to what then should an authentic leader compare him/herself?

(to be continued)

_______________ 

NOTE: Please visit this blog site each week (a new blog is posted every Monday). Over the next few weeks we will be continuing more parts on this subject of Authentic Leadership.

Next week: Part 2 - “To What Models Should Authentic Leadership Be Compared?”

References:

Kostner, K. (Producer/Director). (1990). Dances with Wolves [Motion picture].

            United States: Orion Pictures.

authentic. (2016). In Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Retrieved June 6, 2016,

            from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authentic

Scott, S. (2004). Fierce Conversations. Achieving success at work and in life, one conversation

at a time. New York: The Berkley Publishing Group

Albrecht, K. (2006). Social Intelligence. The new science of success. San Francisco: Josey-Bass

Covey, S.R. (1990). The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Restoring the character ethic.

            New York: fireside/Simon & Schuster

Some Thoughts on Effective Leadership Habits

Eisenberg, Goodall and Tretheway in their book, Organizational Communication (2007) suggest that great leaders possess a unique combination of habits: habits of mind, habits of character and habits of authentic and compelling communicative performance (p. 281). Let’s briefly think about each of these.

Habits of Mind

Eisenberg et al. (2007) describe habits of mind as patterned ways of thinking that define how a person approaches issues and conceives of resolving or dealing with them (p. 281). They cite Quinn as proffering that, “leadership is less a prescribed set of behaviors than it is a uniquely expansive mindset, one that is focused on the creation of possibility” (p. 281).

As we think about the habits of the mind, I am reminded of the importance of how we direct our thinking. Philippians 4:9 in the Bible tells us. “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (NIV Bible, Philippians 4:8-9). Developing the habit of mind that accentuates our thinking toward good and positive things will help to train ourselves toward more positive attitudes. Maxwell (2003) advises leaders that, “If you are willing to change your thinking, you can change your feeling. If you change your feelings, you can change your actions. And changing your actions—based on good thinking—can change your life” (p. 5). Interesting food for thought.

Habits of Character

Eisenberg et al. state the belief that habits of character revolve around the virtue of modesty which they purport is the essential quality of character. “Modesty—personal humility about one’s accomplishments and a profound commitment to the good of the company—is vital to leadership because it is inspiring” (p. 284). The authors point out that the unique blend of professional will, with personal humility, is what is found in the concept of “servant leadership” (discussed in earlier entries on this blog).

I can certainly relate to each of these three leadership “habits,” but the habits of character and the relationship to servant leadership particularly resonates with me. Habits of character certainly involve looking out for the interests of others, not just your own. From a Christian point of view, servant leadership must first be compared against the selfless model of servant leadership exemplified by Christ.

            ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! (NIV Bible, Philippians 2:5-8).

Don Howell (2003) notes that, “Those who stand out in Scripture as leaders are designated, first of all, ‘servants of the Lord’” (p.4).

Habits of character also seek to include others rather than merely leading them. Sashkin & Sashkin (2003) suggest that the best leaders lead in a way that, “when the work is done and the goal attained, the people say, ‘we did it ourselves’” (p. 7).

Habits of Authentic Communicative Performance

Habits of authentic communicative performance deal with the coupling of effective communication skills with genuinely held values and beliefs. Eisenberg et al. (2007) suggest that leadership today is dependent upon 1) the ability to create and verbalize a compelling vision for the future, 2) the development of a credible life story, and 3) the ability to “use language performatively to inspire others to choose those desirable future actions and to work hard to help you attain them” (p. 286).

As we think of “authentic” communication, Ford (1991) refers to the Master communicator—Jesus…

                                                                                         

If we go to Jesus expecting to find a conscious philosophy of communication or specific speaking techniques, we will be disappointed. If, however, we see communication not as a technique, but as an expression of all that we are, then we find in Jesus the model of a master communicator (p. 230).

With all the means of communication available to us today, we may forget that principles of good communication are not new. Ford (1991) cites Aristotle as setting forth enduring principles for effective persuasion. “He (Aristotle) taught the importance of combining logos (the essence of the message), ethos (the credibility of the message) and pathos (the appeal to the inner motives of the hearer)” (p. 230).

Next week, as pertaining to the idea of being “authentic” touched upon above, we will begin a series on the subject of “Authentic Leadership.” So tune in again next week!

_______________________

References:

Eisenberg, E.M., Goodall, H.L. & Tretheway, A. (2007). Organizational communication. Balancingv crativiety and constraint. Boston, MA: Bedford/St Martin’s

Maxwell, J.C. (2003). Thinking for a change. 11 ways highly successful people approach life and work. USA: Warner Books

Howell, D.N. (2003). Servants of the servant. A biblical theology of leadership. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers

Sashkin, M. & Sashkin, M.G. (2003). Leadership that matters. The critical factors for making a difference in people’s lives and organizations’ success. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

Ford, L. (1991). Transforming leadership. Downer Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press

Maintaining Peace, Joy and Love in the Midst of Crises - Part 4

This is the fourth in a series of blog posts examining a key to personally dealing with crises. Included in this series will be selected excerpts taken from my book,

The Power and Promises of THE NAME Jesus

available in hardcover from the publisher at…

http://www.lulu.com/shop/andy-pruitt/the-power-and-promises-of-the-name-jesus/hardcover/product-15464449.html

Or as an e-book at…

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/power-and-promises-of-the-name-jesus-andy-pruitt/1100272628?ean=9781257321148

Or check the bookseller of your choice for availability.

Maintaining Peace, Joy and Love in the Midst of Crises

Part 4 – Love in the Midst of Hatred

In previous weeks in this continuing series on Peace, Joy and Love in the Midst of Crises, we have examined Peace in the Midst of Crisis and Joy in the Midst of Adversity. This week, as we continue this current series of blog posts, let’s think about how we might illustrate love:

 

What is love?  Is it poetry?

Why do I love thee, I really cannot say.

Tho I know it’s oft been said there must have been a way.

It doesn’t really matter how love came to be.

The only thing that that really counts

is that it came to you and me.                          AP

No.  Scratch that.  Hmmm...?  Maybe love is romance.

            John and Mary strolled hand in hand along the beach at sunset.  They felt as if the whole world belonged to them alone.  As they stopped to enjoy the beautiful golden hues of the expansive sky, made doubly radiant reflecting off the water and moist sand of the beach, John gently placed his hand around Mary’s waist.  She reciprocated by leaning in close to him, laying her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around him... 

No.  Forget that too.  Let’s see...?  Maybe it’s sex.

            John was aroused when Mary...

 

Naw.  We won’t even start on that one.  Let’s consider a different angle.  It could be that love is obedience.  Jesus did say... “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (NIV Bible, John 14:15).  Or perhaps it is sacrifice.  “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (NIV Bible, John 15:13.

            Okay, you get the idea.  Love is a word with many and varied meanings.  It is likely the most used and misused word in the English language.  It may be employed to describe anything from an affinity for butter pecan ice cream, to intense romantic emotion, to sacrificing all for a noble cause.

            Love is a subject with which mankind has been obsessed for centuries. So fixated on it are we, that it is unquestionably the major theme of our literature and art. In this short blog we have neither the time nor the inclination to exhaustively explore the topic.  Our discussion here is primarily to point out that, like peace and joy, love is something greatly longed for by human beings of all stations and statures.  Like peace and joy, it is also often quite elusive.  And, like peace and joy, true love, as God intends it to be, may only be fully realized through His presence in our lives. 

True love, we are taught, has these attributes:

“Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (NIV Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

We also learn that God himself is the creator and embodiment of love:

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (NIV Bible, 1 John 4:7-8).

 

Through Jesus Christ, God demonstrated for us what love is to be:

“This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (NIV Bible, 1 John 4:9-10).

Through Him it may become manifest within us and emanate from us:

“...God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us....” (NIV Bible, 1 John 4:16-17).  “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (NIV Bible, 1 John 4:11-12).

It is interesting to note, when we look to the Bible, that much of what it teaches us about love concerns not how we may receive and possess love, but rather how and to whom we are to give our love.  We are commanded to love God, our neighbors, our fellow believers, and even our enemies.  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (NIV Bible, Deuteronomy 6:5),  “...love your neighbor as yourself” (NIV Bible, Leviticus 19:18).  Jesus said...  “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (NIV Bible, John 13:34-35).  He also taught... “But I tell you:  Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven...”  (NIV Bible, Matthew 5:44-45).

            This brings to mind leaders who followed the example of Jesus.  While He was being crucified, Jesus offered His love and intercession for those who were putting Him to death.  “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him…  Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’” (NIV Bible, Luke 23:33-34).  Stephen most notably followed Christ’s example.  “Just as Jesus had prayed, ‘Father forgive them’ and ‘Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit’ (Lk. 23:34,46), so Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’ and ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’ (Acts 7:59, 60)” (Gardner 412).[1]  Stephen followed Christ’s example of love in the midst of hatred yet without compromise of the truth.

No compromise of truth in the face of suffering–

Stephen courageously spoke the truth in love and did not shrink in the face of suffering.  After masterfully chronicling the story of the Jewish people and noting a history of resisting God’s Holy Spirit inspired prophets, Stephen pronounces this indictment of his accusers:  “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you” (NKJV Bible, Acts 7:51).  The problem of “resisting” the Holy Spirit is a big one. The Jewish leaders whom Stephen was addressing in this passage were so steeped in the traditions and the supposed letter of the law that they could not and would not see the meaning of the Law.  The Holy Spirit, through Stephen, was bringing them fresh revelation, but if that meant viewing things differently than the way they had always done things before, they would not hear,  they resisted.  The same thing is true today in the Church.  Why are we so hell-bent on doing things the same way as always?  Why does anything new or different upset us?  Why do we so resist change?  It's not that everything new is right, but our stubborn resistance often blocks fresh revelation the Holy Spirit wants to give us now.  Bill Hybels writes, “Every leader must learn… Holy Spirit dependence.  If you do, God will make your calling sure.  And being sure of your calling will provide the staying power you need” (237).[2]  God’s leaders today must follow the direction of the Holy Spirit, must not be guilty of resisting the Holy Spirit, and must be prepared to meet resistance with courage and love.

Another example of a leader who would not compromise his faith even amidst severe suffering is Job.  “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (NKJV Bible, Job 1:22); “In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (NKJV Bible, Job 2:10).  Of Job’s standing as a leader, the writer of the book of Job states that, “this man was the greatest of all the people of the East” (NKJV Bible, Job 1:3).  J. Lawrence Eason comments in regard to Job’s dealing with his sufferings, “although God does not explain to Job the cause of his suffering, he becomes so sure of God’s wisdom and competence that he knows his affliction somehow is in harmony with God’s righteousness.  Job has learned to trust where he cannot understand.  This is the supreme lesson of the book (of Job)” (Eason 243).[3]

Job and Stephen were like-spirited men it seems. To have such faith and belief in God that your faith and trust cannot be swayed, no matter what is happening to you personally, is remarkable. These were not ignorant men. Job was wise. He was the most successful businessman of his time. Stephen demonstrated the most intellectually sound understanding of Old Testament history and its meaning, tying it together with the New Testament, that can be found anywhere in the Bible.  Stephen and Job show us that this kind of steadfast faith and demonstration of love is possible for Christian leaders and

those whom they lead.

Conclusion

Over these weeks looking at how leaders may handle the difficult circumstances and even attacks that may come against them and their leadership, I hope the key concept of living and leading within the context of having a personal relationship with your Creator has resonated within your own spirit. The leader who is at peace in crisis will not be driven by a sense of urgency or fear.  The leader who remains joyful in trying situations will not succumb to depression and grumbling.  The leader who loves even those who wish them harm will not be clouded by hatred and vengeance.  The leader who possesses peace, joy and love will not only enjoy the benefits of these fruits of the Spirit, but will engender followers to whom they will be an inspiration.  And, as has been seen in the lives and leadership of all of the successful biblical characters examined, the key to abiding peace, joy and love in and through critical situations, is in maintaining a close relationship with the Lord. 

 

_______________ 

NOTE: Please visit this blog site each week (a new blog is posted every Monday). This blog entry is part 4 (the concluding entry) of a series of blog posts examining the subject of Peace, Joy and Love in the Midst of Crises. Part 1 was posted on 2017-06-05, Part 2 was posted on 2017-06-12 and Part 3 was posted on 2017-06-19.  

---

[1] Gardner, Joseph L., Editorial Director.  Who’s Who in the Bible.

            Pleasantville:  The Reader’s Digest Association, 1994

[2] Hybels, Bill. Courageous Leadership. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002 

[3] Eason, J. Lawrence.  The New Bible Survey. 

Grand Rapids:  Zondervan Publishing House, 1977