How Do You Define a Spiritual Leader?
As with most any abstract concept, different people will have different definitions for “spiritual leadership.” What is Christian leadership? What makes a Christian leader? Pondering the idea of “Christian leaders” may be something you have spent some time on as you plan or complete a degree from Colorado Christian University. Regardless of your degree program, as a college graduate, you will eventually be called upon to be a leader in some fashion in the workplace. If you’re already an active member of the workforce, you may be very familiar with all that comes with spiritual/Christian leadership. However, if you’re new to your career or have just begun your coursework, you may not have given much thought to the concept of what being a Christian leader means to you.
Christian Leaders in the Workplace
Let’s take a look at the marks of a spiritual leader and explore what characteristics and/or traits are common to inspirational Christian leaders.
The International Institute for Spiritual Leadership, an organization that studies workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership, has developed a “Spiritual Leadership Theory” to outline current leadership theories and to investigate the various aspects of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual elements of human interaction in organizations and the workplace. Simply put, the Institute claims, “Spiritual leadership generates hope/faith in the organization’s vision that keeps followers looking forward to the future. Spiritual leadership requires that an organization’s culture be based on values of altruistic love.”
Spiritual leadership, simply put, is demonstrated through a leader’s attitude and behavior. Spiritual leadership produces a “sense of membership” and a sense of being understood and appreciated. Could you imagine if all leaders in the workplace followed a theory such as this? Everyone would go to work each day feeling valued and important. People would be more joyful about their work, more enthusiastic and more motivated to go above and beyond the call of duty.
The Institute’s spiritual leadership theory asserts that spiritual leadership leads others toward spiritual well-being, psychological well-being, satisfaction with life, commitment to the organization (job), productivity, sustainability and overall good general health and well-being. Spiritual leaders (i.e. Christian leaders) must experience a sense of being “called” to their work–that their life and work have meaning and purpose. Christian leaders show genuine care and concern to others and have an appreciation for themselves and others in the workplace.
Let’s take a look at some qualities that you would find in a spiritual leader: Vision, Altruistic Love, and Hope/Faith.
- “Vision” is a word you will often hear in discussions about leadership in the workplace. What is your company’s vision? What is the vision your boss has for your future? How do you envision your role evolving in this company? Your company’s vision is a picture of the future direction your company hopes to take. A clear and compelling vision will help to motivate and inspire employees, contribute to a feeling of commitment from employees, and set a standard of excellence for all to partake in and follow. Christian leaders will create a vision that defines the company’s destination and encourages faith in employees.
- Altruistic love is described by the Institute as “a sense of wholeness, harmony, and well-being produced through care, concern and appreciation for both self and others.” According to the Institute’s spiritual leadership theory, the fields of medicine and psychology have both begun to study (and confirm) that the power of love is able to overcome destructive emotions such as anger and fear. Christian leaders exhibit traits such as integrity, patience, forgiveness, loyalty, truthfulness, and selflessness in the workplace (and their personal lives).
- Let’s take a look at the Spiritual Leadership Theory’s definitions of faith and hope. Faith is a belief in something for which there is no firm evidence. Hope is desire with the expectation of fulfillment. When employees have faith in the company for which they work and have hope for their future in that company, there exists an incentive to do well–to strive to be the very best one can be. Hope and faith are what leads to achieving the vision created by the Christian leader.
CCU prides itself on creating an educational/spiritual environment with a clear vision for its students. As you can see on our Vision and Mission page, “We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world.”
If you want to be a part of the CCU family, please read more about adult student admissions and financial aid opportunities.
The Lord calls his people to lead in every sphere of influence as we possibly can, whether at home or in the workplace. We are called to lead others in a Christ-like manner. As, we do so we can expect for God to honor our diligent work and act on our behalf. There is never a dull moment when a Christian leader sets himself or herself to serve and guide other people in his Spirit. “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty” (Zech. 4:6, NIV).
Blessings,
Efrain
It is my opinion that in order to be a good leader the most important thing is to be honest and trustworthy. For me working for someone who is a spiritual is a plus because you know they have a foundation on doing what is right from wrong. I know for me being a leader in my organization I believe that honesty is the best policy. It is so important for your peers to trust you and as a boss your team must trust you. The more they trust what you say and do the more productive your department will be. I know for me I work for a company that the owner is very spiritual and values family. It is awesome to work for someone who preaches family first. I am never questioned when I have to go and watch my kids play sports or someone in my family needs my help, as long as I get my work done and make up my time it is never a problem. I think this is the change that needs to happen in businesses today, more value on family and God.
For the most part, people yearn for the sense or feeling of being needed. We see it in all relationships and aspects of life. A person may fulfill this need as a friend taking a late night call to give advice to another friend in need. The same goes for a career. People who feel they are needed love their job and the people they work around. Without that sense of being needed, people will begin to experience the feeling of “unwanted” or not cared about. A true spiritual leader fills that void in the work place. A spiritual leader looks at each person and identifies that person with a need in the organization and makes it known and expands on it. Once a person knows they fill a need, efficiency and productivity will begin to increase and then people have a whole new aspect on their job. A true spiritual leader influences that sense of worth in each and everybody. We may label it as “Spiritual Leader”, but it’s really called being a leader.
“How Do You Define a Spiritual Leader?”
I believe spiritual leaders must also be sacrificial leaders and guide others to become the best they can be in and out of the workplace. In addition successful leaders of the next generation must practice supportive leadership. As I reflect on the events of the movie theatre shooting that occurred the early morning of 7/20/12 I am reminded of how many individuals are true sacrificial service leaders including police officers, fire fighters, and military personel. It is a reminder to me that sacrificial leaders are all around us.
The Lord has called me personally in my current position to be a servant for Him and Him only. I feel that it’s important for a servant leader to follow their heart within Christ and implement that following to his or her servant ship into practice. Bill Armstrong has shown a significant amount of this servant leadership in what he does here at CCU. I have enjoyed this very much. To be able to work for an organization that is teaching me how to be more effective through being a servant leader is a HUGE and tremendous Blessing.
Thanks to Christ, Bill, my immediate supervisors Jenifer, and Chuck.
Thank you
Blessings to all of you
Mark
How would you define spiritual leadership?
Spiritual leadership is a process whereby a leader leads by their faith based conviction. A Christian leader is one who leads following the examples and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus led as a Servant Leader. Northouse defines servant leadership as a process whereby leaders empower their followers by putting them first in order to develop their full potential (Northouse, 2013). Jesus as a servant leader washed the feet of his disciples; came to empower us to live godly lives, help us become all that God created us to be. In John 10:10 we learn that Jesus came that we may have life and have it in abundance. Jesus came and gave of Himself, died on the cross so that those who believe in Him will spend eternal life with Him in Heaven. A Christian leader should be like Christ, putting his followers first and empowering them to maximize their God given potentials.
A Christian leader is one who should first and foremost know Jesus and have a relationship with Him. It is through a consistent fellowship with Christ, the word of God and leading of Holy Spirit can a Christian leader be effective.
God is preparing me in becoming a Christian leader, and that is the reason I am doing my MBA program at CCU. I am happy and blessed that my homework assignments and readings are integrated with the Bible.
Being a Spiritual Leader is not very different from being any other sort of leader. An individual in this position need to realize that they need to acknowledge the other members in the group. The person with the leadership function needs to make sure that everyone is heard and that everyone feels appreciated and granted the opportunity to express their own opinion of the situation.
Could you imagine if all leaders in the workplace followed a theory such as this?
My hope is that this can be a reality in the workplace as we move forward to educate students on Leadership attributes. At the core of who we are as human beings, is a strong desire to be loved and cared about. Creating an enviornment in the workplace of alturistic love, would transform workers and businesses to their full potential.
Altruistic love is not a characteristic that one often thinks of when evaluating the traits of a leader, but it is crucial to Christian leadership. We should look to the leadership of Jesus in his interactions with those at every level of society and see that he saw people as his Father sees people – as valuable and loved, despite the trappings of society. It is important as leaders that we look beyond the surface to see what is underneath before we jump to conclusions.
Spiritual Leadership is an interesting concept and I feel very lucky to have seen it in action in my workplace. I work for a Christian (Seventh Day Adventist) hospital that very much makes spiritual well-being a priority for both patients and staff. In order to demonstrate spiritual leadership, I think the spiritual well-being of others must be a priority, even though it may not have a direct impact on the good of the company by increasing profits or productivity. My organization invests time and effort (and money) to reaching employees on a spiritual level. Several programs are in place that focus on fostering a spiritual work environment, and chaplains and counselors are available free of charge as a resource for anyone needing prayer, consoling, guidance, or fellowship. Spiritual leadership is more than the spiritual strength of the leader; spiritual leadership means actively seeking to improve the spiritual health of the workplace.