Christian Perspective of Leadership - Analysis of Bryn Hughess Leadership Tool Kit - Essay Example

? Christian Perspective of Leadership: Analysis of Bryn Hughes’s Leadership Tool Kit of Institute ChristianPerspective of Leadership: Analysis of Bryn Hughes’s Leadership Tool Kit In his book, Leadership Tool Kit, Bryn Hughes offers several perspectives of what good leadership should be like. One may observe that his perspective of leadership is about leading within the principle and values of Christian living (Hughes, 2002, p. 11). He analyses practical tools that leaders can use to develop and improve their performance as leaders and within any other context where they may be part of a team. Hughes’ observes that leaders should explore motives and outline key result areas amongst other things. In essence, Hughes does not only dwell on ethical leadership, but also on professional competence in leadership. He seems to affirms strongly that leadership is God chosen and should be treated with the seriousness and responsibility it deserves. Hughes sees leadership as a state of mind of a person who is visionary and spiritual. He also sees leadership to be defined by sound character. The author also analyses that good motives of a leader should be to share with other so that they can achieve together as a team. His understanding of motives is leadership is also pegged in Bible teachings on leadership. He analyses in various ways that proper motives are the key drivers for any success as a leader. One may see that although he focuses on doing the right thing from the Biblical context of righteousness, his leadership tools also blend well in the context of organizations in the contemporary societies. One may also note that when Hughes explains the concept and the relevance of motives to Christian leadership, he also captures on the teachings of Jesus about what constitutes sins. Jesus on His part observes in the Bible (Mathew 5:28) that whoever has looked at a woman lustfully has committed sex with her. One may say that it is in this regard that Hughes focuses and emphasizes on good motive. Although he does not dwell on the subject with very specific examples, it is understandable that anything that does not constitute God’s will is morally wrong for Christian living. This way, he observes, leaders are able to improve themselves as individuals and improve their teams. The author emphasizes that Christian leaders are should work hard towards acquiring these skills in contemporary society. In order to achieve this, the author rightfully recognizes that there is a need to identify key result areas. Hughes offers that leaders should have the drive and the desire to achieve. They do this through a display of effort in the various areas that they have identified as areas of need. When there is a strong desire to take or accept responsibilities, then a leader is on course. Leadership that is concerned about not just tasks to be completed but also demonstrates which tasks is preferable. Hughes seems to assert that proper leadership would involve being efficient at allocated tasks through proper facilitation and motivation (Hughes, 2002, p. 34). The leader should demonstrate a high morale through involvement with his/her team. This is observable through proper coordination. Other key result areas include being supportive, participative and directive. Churches can enhance leadership by training leaders at various levels to be supportive in their various involvements. Sometimes things not work out as expected. Hughes offers that leaders should support others especially by recognizing the effort put into it. Most importantly, they should offer support on various tasks on progress as might be necessary. It is also important that leaders acquire skills through actual participation in the various areas of involvement in the church leadership. While working in their teams, the author also offers that there is a need for leaders to be trained to be visions creators. Visionary leaders are capable of come up with new ideas that will help in goals setting and eventual action plan. It is crucial for the church should strive to develop in such skills in leaders. Visionary leadership will enhance decision-making and understanding of the diverse team expectations and challenges. In a way, Hughes is asserting that the church should move from dwelling on spirituality alone by creating a pool of skilled leaders within the church (Hughes, 2002, p. 28). He presents what appears to be a chronological set of leadership journey in the church. Training on such skills will enable leaders in the church to be effective team builders. To achieve this, leaders should have a sense of fun and nurture team identity within their various groups. In terms of roles, they should communicate clear roles and goals. Probably one of the most important things that Hughes also captures in his perspective of Christian leadership is that leaders should develop others through appropriate guidance and training. Achieving new levels in leadership only comes through developing and nurturing people into the model of leaders the church desires of its leaders. Whether pastoral leadership, worship ministry leadership, Hughes also assert that it is crucial to cultivate a cohesive teams. He does not rule out the fact that there may be occasional team conflicts, but seems to caution that a leader should not thrust himself/herself at the centre of such conflicts. Evaluation of the Strengths and Limitations of the Theoretical Concepts of Hughes’ Leadership By considering these issues, one may say that the author advices Christian leaders to live in reality of the world around them. This is does not necessarily mean that they conform to the principles of worldly living, which is a big force anyway, but that its understanding is key towards problem solving in the church. The team dynamics at the church also work in the same manner as other teams dynamics in the outside world. The only challenge is that the church should train its leadership on skill development such that they are able to balance between the two. Such skills are necessary so that they can manage the diversity in the teams through proper guidance in line with Christian teaching and in line with organizational principles. This way, the author seeks to blend the good practices in the outside world into the mainstream Christian values as complementary forces. The basis of his approach is that leadership in the church should be based on a strong foundation of spirituality and individual competence. This is the most critical component of the package he gives as leadership tool kit for Christian leaders. The identification that there is a need for the church to lay emphasis on leadership development is a big strength in this concept of church leadership. The only limitation, as one may see, is that the theoretical concept tries to approach leadership training using an organizational perspective. Even so, the concepts are largely in conformity with many Christian values. A Comparison of Hughes’ Perspective on Leadership with Other Authors There are other authors with a similar and divergent perspective on Christian leadership. These authors have maintained their concept of Christian leadership by considering various individual traits of what constitutes a good leader. One of the most outspoken authors on Christian leadership is John C. Maxwell in his book, “Developing the Leader within You.” In this book, Maxwell argues that a leadership does not just happen, but rather that it is a skill acquired over time (Maxwell, 2005, p. 52). This way, he agreed with Hughes that certain skills such as communication and being visionary have to be nurtures in a leader (Maxwell, 2005, p. 75). While Hughes advocates for leaders being people who are responsible, Maxwell offers that a leader should be a person who ready to take responsibility for his mistakes. The two may have worded their perspectives in slightly different morphology, but all point to the fact Christian leadership is a responsibility to be carried out diligently. Maxwell also highlights that a leader should be able to create influence through authority, good interpersonal relationships (Maxwell, 2005, p. 39). This should be with the aim of uniting people and guide accomplishment of goals. He also argues that leadership should also be about development people and cultivating a strong personal character. Although Hughes does not emphasize on setting the right priorities, Maxwell observes that effective leadership is also about using principles of priority to assess issues that need decision making (Maxwell, 2005, p. 19). According to him, a leader should also be ready to create change that is needed. Even so, he observes that people tend to be resistant to changes. Like Hughes, Maxwell considers the reality of situations. One should know that although the Bible may offer teachings about something, the knowledge to such provisions does not always guarantee conformity as outlined. This is probably why Maxwell also points out that people may resist changes brought about by the leader. In a way, he seems to assert that leadership is not without constraint and challenges. In this regard, he seems to be preparing Christian leaders to be cautious in their interactions as leaders of their teams. Other scholars have explored the subject of Christian leadership through the perspective of leadership as outlines in the Bible. Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges, in their book “Lead like Jesus,” focus on the need for servant leadership. Their perspective of leadership is seemingly pegged on Jesus teaching when disciples asked who is the greatest. Jesus has answered back that whoever desires to be great should do so with humility. His lesson on humility was that such a person should focus on serving rather than being served. Consequently, Blanchard and Hodges, (2008, p. 83) focus on servant leadership to respond bring out the picture of leadership from the perspective of Christianity. Unlike Hughes, Blanchard and Hodges offer that Christian leaders should lead like Jesus (2008, p. 191). They seem to maintain that only Bible offers the best guidance on leadership (Dockery, 2011, p. 47). Their perspective of leadership is theological and borrows so little from contemporary organizational practices. In conclusion, one may observe that leadership, particularly in the context of Christianity, is a perspective that authors have addressed differently. While some recognize the need for church leadership to adopt good organizational practices on leadership, others maintain the idea that leadership has to be according to the teaching of the Bible. Even so, any rational person can observe that many organizational leadership practices are not in conflict with Christian values. Consequently, it is just righty to have an integrated approach to Christian leadership. Bibliography Blanchard, K., and Hodges, P., 2008. Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. Dockery, D.S., 2011. Christian Leadership Essentials: A Handbook for Managing Christian Organization. Nashville: B&H Academic. Hughes, B., 2002. Leadership Tool Kit. Eastbourne: Kingsway Publications. Maxwell, J.C., 2005. Developing the Leader within You. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. Read More