|
Anselmo
Ferreira
Vasconcelos |
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Jesus Christ:
examining
elements of a
perfect
leadership
(Part 2 and
final) |
Altruistic
love.
Quality
encompassing
forgiveness,
kindness,
integrity,
empathy/compassion,
honesty,
patience,
courage,
confidence/loyalty,
and
humility.
Hope/faith.
Endurance and
perseverance in
the face
of tribulations;
do what is
necessary (to
undergo
the trials
of the path,
carrying
the
cross and,
finally,
accepting the
cleansing
experience);
stretch
goals
(to have
a "pure
heart," as
recommended by
Jesus, requires
enormous efforts),
and
expectation of
reward/victory
(full
integration
into the kingdom
of God).14
In
summary, the
analysis
performed
up to now
infers
that Christian
postulates
and the
role of
Jesus Christ
fit perfectly
in a wider
framework
of
the theory of
spiritual
leadership.
Indeed,
in
the evidence
collected
we found
several
indications that
Jesus Christ
widely
employed
elements
of this school
in His
redemptive
mission.
Such a
conclusion,
however,
does not
invalidate
the presence
in his role as
leader
of aspects
linked to other
theoretical
perspectives.
We refer here
particularly
to the
authentic
leadership
school,
one of the most
studied
today.
The
"rational
persuasion"
is inherent in
the
Gospel
-
Researchers
dedicated to the
topic
describe the
leader with the
profile of a
confident,
hopeful,
optimistic,
resilient,
transparent,
moral/ethical
and
future-oriented
individual.
Besides these
features, true
leaders possess
the sensitivity
to give
priority to the
development
of their
associates
(apostles
and followers).
To be
truthful
is another of
His
characteristics
and the
positive/constructive
behavior shown
is
constant
opportunities
leads to the
transformation
and development
of
His
followers as
leaders too.
This school
defends that the
real
leader
does not attempt
to
convince, not
even rationally,
his companions.
I.e., their
values,
beliefs,
and behaviors
constitute
a model of
general
development.
15
Thus, it is
clearly visible
the presence of
various elements
of this type of
leadership in
Jesus'
personality and
behavior. It is
also remarkable
that some of
them even
overlap the
school of
spiritual
leadership.
However, it is
worth stressing
that the
"rational
persuasion" is
inherent in the
Gospel message.
Considering this
perspective, we
met guidelines
and
recommendations
as to the
precise course,
which greatly
weakens this
proposition. To
illustrate, the
Gospel passages
quoted below
reinforce our
argument - i.e.:
" [...] Love
the Lord thy God
with all thy
heart, and with
all thy soul,
and with thy
entire mind"
(Matthew 22:37).
"Ye
therefore
perfect, even as
your Father is
perfect in
heaven"
(Matthew 5:48).
" I am the way
and the truth
and the life: no
man cometh unto
the Father, but
by me" (John
14:6).
" [ ... ] Have
faith in God"
(Mark 11:22).
"Then saith
He to Thomas,
Reach hither thy
finger, and
behold my hands,
and reach hither
thy hand, and
thrust it into
my side: and be
not faithless,
but believing
" (John
20:27).
Jesus
was an
absolute leader
-
Excepting,
therefore,
the element
highlighted
above,
there are
convincing
signs
that the real
leadership
applies
perfectly to
Jesus and His
mission.
Similarly,
our
analysis
involves
the perspective
derived from the
transformational
leadership.
After all,
leaders linked
to that school
often have
enormous
ability to
communicate a
vision
for the
organization
(Christianity).16
Moreover,
they usually
carry
enormous
charisma,
propagate
a sweeping
and
intellectually
stimulating
vision,
offer
individual
attention and
consideration,
as well
as
promoting a
common
culture where
there are no
special
privileges
or different
treatment.
17
It is worth
adding
that
there are
authors
who believe
that all
transformational
leaders
are
spiritual
leaders, too.18
Thus,
it is impossible
not
to attribute to
Jesus
the quality of
an absolute
transformer
leader,
especially
considering
His
role of a
celestial
educator
or
psychotherapist
in the
understanding
and
dissemination
of the
second
revelation.
Examples
of
such capacity
contained
in the Gospel
can be
highlighted:
"I
came down from Heaven,
not to
do my own will,
but the will
of Him who sent
me"
(John
6:38)
"For
whosoever
shall do the
will
of God, he
is my brother,
and my sister,
and mother"
(Mark
3:35)
"I am
the light
of the world:
he that follows
me shall not
walk
in darkness,
but shall have
the
light of life"
(John
8:12).
We can
still find
in some
acts
of the
apostles
unequivocal
byproducts of
this
powerful
transformative
intervention
such as,
"In
everything give
thanks: for this
is the will
of God
in Christ
Jesus concerning
you"
(1
Thessalonians
5:18).
"And
this
is the
confidence that
we have in Him,
that if we ask
anything
according
to His will,
He
hears us"
(1
John
5:
14)
The
law of exchange
also applies to
divine forces
-
Similarly,
one can identify
elements of
other
less
pompous
leadership
schools
in Jesus'
behavior. It is
the case
of
the line,
which includes
an exchange
relationship
between
leader
and follower
(LMX)
19.
This theory
assumes
that
a kind of
bargaining
mediates
the relationship
between them.
In fact,
we find
the acceptance
of
such a
proposition
in the comments
of the
Spirit
Emmanuel when he
categorically
stated,
"Not only
do
men live
by the law
of exchange.
The
divine forces
base the
movement
of good
on the same
principle
".20
In this sense,
Jesus emphasized
most clearly how
this change
occurs by
stating: "For
the Son of man
shall come in
the glory of his
Father with His
angels, and then
He shall reward
every man
according to his
works"
(Matthew 16:27).
Paul of Tarsus
perfectly
understood the
lesson when he
said, "Who
will render to
every man
according to his
works ..."
(Romans 2:6).
Another school
of
leadership
intensely
scrutinized by
the
research is the
servant
(servant
leadership).
As the
name suggests
these are
individuals, who
have a
clear
understanding
that
others
(neighbors)
are priority in
their life.
We see them
inserted
in human
societies
directing people
with
deep
affection and
attention,
improving
processes,
but,
above all,
performing
remarkable tasks
serving the
needy. We
understand that
in the area of
humanitarian aid
there are many
leaders
acting as
unknown servers.
The research
shows that
the server
leaders
usually
incorporate
seven
pronounced
characteristics.
They are servers
before any
other regard,
they are
in line
with the
proposals
of
other schools,
they
are also seen as
competent
organizers
of goals
(vision);
through their
behavior they
inspire
confidence; they
are excellent in
listening; they
are masters in
providing a
positive
feedback;
they can predict
the future (intuitive
by nature);
and propose
personal
development.
21
Jesus can
be considered
a unique
creature
-
Moreover,
servant leaders
empower
people/partners,
they are humble,
are authentic,
accept
people
for who they are,
give
them a
direction and
are
guardians
who work
intensively
for the good
of the whole.
22
Considering
this, it can be
said that there
are
plenty of
aspects of
servant
leadership
in Jesus'
behavior.
In fact,
the spiritual
literature
provides
numerous
examples
of His
immeasurable
patience
to listen and
guide His
followers.
His words,
by the way,
always
provided
safe
guidelines and
appropriate
warnings
so that the
disciple
could
be successful.
In addition,
the master
guided
and
continues to
guide
humanity
through His
encouraging
message.
His vision
encompasses
unimagined
possibilities
for us.
In this sense,
the
simple and
timely
reminder
of sending the
Promised
Comforter
leaves no doubt
about it.
In this quick
survey, we
finally
identified that
Jesus Christ
achieved the
extraordinary
feat of bringing
together the
molds of various
leadership
schools.
Therefore, He
can be
considered as a
unique creature
not only for His
achievements,
and for His
bright legacy,
but also because
He knew how to
show rare
leadership
ability, which
proves His
perfection in
this dimension
too. Obviously,
there are other
schools, which
were not
examined in this
test - such as
the
transcendental,
for example -
because they are
still in the
embryonic stage
of theoretical
development. It
is worth noting
that, although
sometimes
similar, the
schools of
scrutinized
leadership have
been developed
over the years
through
systematic
dozens of
international
studies. The
rigorous
psychometric
measures to
which these
studies were
submitted give
reliability and
validity to its
findings and
conclusions.
However,
regardless of
the approach
pursued, Jesus
always emerges
as an immaculate
leader spreading
divine truth,
heavenly wisdom
and providing us
with lessons,
teachings, and
examples that we
will surely
remember
forever.
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______.______.
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Acesso em: 23
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