Blanchard, K. H., & Hodges, P. (2005). Lead like Jesus: Lessons from the greatest leadership role model of all times. Nashville, TN: W Pub. Group.
Lead like Jesus as written by Blanchard and Hodges (2005) identifies four main areas and goes on to elaborate how these areas can help one to build on his or her leadership skills. The authors see leadership as a process through which leaders assert their influence on the thinking process, the behavior and development of their followers in terms of both their personal and professional lives.
The book identifies Jesus as an exemplary leader but argues that one does not have to be a Christian to be able learn from the lessons contained in the Bible, a book that informs much of the information presented by the authors. They use the heart, head, and heart and habits domains to explain how good leadership should be. The first two domains in this case address internal elements of leadership while the other two domains stand for external factors that affect leadership. The first area identified is the heart which according to the book encompasses the leader’s motivation. The second area is that of the head and this includes the leader’s beliefs, values and viewpoints in regard to leadership.
The third area is that of the hands and this looks at whether the leader is fond of setting goals and whether they have performance measurement strategies. Here, the leader undergoes through four stages of learning including the novice, Apprentice, Journeyman and the master. The first stage is experienced when one is new while the last stage is characterized by increased experience and high skills. Finally, the habits area entails how as a leader, one refreshes and renews him/herself. Using these four domains the book develops a framework for leadership and offer solid advice for leaders.
Lead like Jesus focuses on for main areas and how these can be used to direct personal agendas towards being a great leader. These areas involve the head, the heart, habits and the heart. As such, a leader’s transformation concerning these areas entails taking upon a religious and more so, spiritual viewpoint with regard to leadership. As such, this book offers insights as to how these areas can be used as assessment tools to analyze one’s own style of leadership. Given that we are currently living in contrasting social environments that translate into constant turmoil and volatility, it is important for every individual to seek a balance so as to sustain personal sanity. As provided in the book by Blanchard and Hodges (2005), a new form of leadership is needed to enable individuals wade through these uncertain times. As such, spiritual leadership has come to mind as one of the ways through which one can be able to adapt to the volatility and as such, motivate others to do the same.
On a similar note, the dynamics of current work environments and the operations therein have resulted in situations where corporate scandals are more or less the norm. This is in essence an unfortunate state of affairs as those entrusted with leadership roles have been sucked into the vicious cycle of impunity and corruption fuelling a disregard to the plight of investors, employees and the society. As such, the resources are being diverted to satisfy personal gain for a few at the expense of the masses. Therefore, spiritual leadership as provided for by Blanchard and Hodges (2005) is critical towards emotionally, morally and ethically arming future leaders to become good leaders at present as well as in the future.
As Blanchard and Hodges (2005) provide, there are forms of leadership that seems best suited for the turbulent, unpredictable and overly uncontrollable future both for the individual and for corporate entities. As much as organizational leaders are imperatively compelled to meet the bottom line targets as set by strategic goals and visions, a more humanistic approach to leadership is required. A leadership style that comes out strongly in Lead Like Jesus is servant leadership. This book underscores servant leadership enabled Jesus to lead huge masses who did not have anything more to gain from him other than a Godly peace of mind. As such, through servant leadership, leaders in an organization should aim to first appear to subordinates as selfless and humble servants. More inclined to attain greater employee development that can in itself lead to huge motivational outcomes. This can progress the organization forward to unprecedented successes.
As Blanchard and Hodges (2005) provide, the four areas discussed in the book need to be positively transformed to improve an individual’s personal attributes which can lead to the development of a great leader at present or even in future situations. From the book, one embraces that two area, the heart and habits need innate transformations so as to present an individual as a good and credible leader. As such, the heart is an area that allows an individual to be motivated towards doing what is right and by extension become a leader with a high regard for integrity. On the same note, one’s habit can encourage one towards servant leadership and by extension motivate subordinates to appreciate humbleness and self-service towards greater organizational growth.
References
Blanchard, K. H., & Hodges, P. (2005). Lead like Jesus: Lessons from the greatest leadership role model of all times. Nashville, TN: W Pub. Group.
