Leadership Style

Leadership Style Tierney Kennedy LDR/531 Eric Heard March 24, 2014

Leadership Style

Leadership Style Leadership is defined as a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. The role of leadership in an organization is determined by the culture of the company and based on the managers beliefs, values and assumptions will have major influence over their decisions. A good leader sees the best in people and figures out what it takes to motivates the individuals. A manager is judged as either good, or bad leader based on the decisions they make, the results and how the leader performed. There are many styles of leadership such as the authoritarian or autocratic, democratic or laissez-faire. Good managers are able to use all three types of leadership styles and others at the appropriate times. Leadership style is the manner and approach a leader used in providing direction, motivating people and implementing plans. Jesus had a much different leadership strategy. His goal was not reach or popularity. In fact, as strange as it sounds today, he actively discouraged publicity. On more than one occasion, after performing a jaw-dropping miracle, he told those who witnessed it, Tell no one what you have seen (see e.g., Matthew 8:4; 16:20; 17:9; Mark 7:36; 8:30; 9:9; Luke 5:14; and 8:56). He was a publicists nightmare.

Instead, Jesus focused on true depth and long-term impact. To achieve this, he had a fourpronged leadership strategy:

1. He taught the multitudes. Yes, Jesus had a public ministry. He occasionally spoke to thousands. However, he didnt pander to these groups or tickle their ears. He confronted the status quo, jarred his listeners sensibilities, and often taught in parables. He didnt feel the need to clarify everything. He often left his audience confused and

Leadership Style

wondering what he meant. His goal was apparently to shift their paradigm and get them to think. 2. He mobilized the seventy. Jesus had a smaller, more intimate group to whom he gave specific assignments. He sent them out two-by-two. He asked for a BIG commitment. He gave them virtually no resources. Yet he demanded that they perform miracles. He told them to expect opposition (see Luke 10:112) and promised no earthly reward (see Luke 10:1820). 3. He trained the twelve. He chose the twelve disciples to be with him (see Mark 3:14a) He taught them and also gave them assignments (see Mark 3:14b19). However, he also shared with them his daily life. Like the Apostle Paul would do years later, he poured into them his very life (see 1 Thessalonians 2:8). Because of this, he entrusted them with powerto do the work he himself had done. In fact, he promised them that they would actually do greater works (see John 14:1214). 4. He confided in the three. Jesus had an inner circle comprised of Peter, James, and John. He took them on special outings (see Matthew 17:1). He allowed them to witness his greatest glory (see Mark 9:23) and his deepest temptation (see Mark 14:3334). He prayed with them (see Luke 9:28f). He taught them things He did not teach the others (see Matthew 17:2; Mark 5:3743). He even introduced them to His heavenly family (see Matthew 17:3). They were his closest friends and confidants. Jesus leadership strategy evidently worked well. Within a generation, His followers turned the world upside down (see Acts 17:6). Within seven generations (318 A.D.), the emperor Constantine accepted his message and made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. And here I am, almost two millennia later, writing about it.

Leadership Style

Most leaders only focus on the first two strategies. They have a public teaching ministry, and they are good at mobilizing groups for specific assignments. However, very few intentionally train a small group of disciples. Even fewer build deep relationships with a handful of confidants. As a result, they do not have the kind of lasting impact they could have. This is the type of leader I strive to be. In looking at what my characteristics as a leader are now, I do still have some greater goals to reach in order to be such a leader, however, with looking at the leadership style represented by Jesus and further studying where I need to be, I believe that I can accomplish this leadership style in any organization.