Historically, there has been a debate over whether leadership is learned (i.e. it can be taught) or innate (i.e. like personality, something you’re born with). Typically, whether on one side of this debate or the other, it is generally agreed upon that leadership can be developed in every person. The belief that leadership can and should be developed. has been embraced in corporate America, government departments, and the U.S. Military.
This week, we looked at key principles of leadership as presented by former military Chaplain, Dr. James F. Linzey, and those historical principles of leadership used by the U.S. Marine Corps (and adopted by other services). These are examples of the types of traits organizations encourage leaders to develop within themselves.
In Chapter 7, Kouzes and Posner state, “If you are to learn to be a better leader, you must first believe that you are capable of leadership and that you can be a positive force in the world” (p. 165). Kouzes and Posner then offer five fundamental strategies to becoming a better leader:
Fundamental One: Believe you can
Fundamental Two: Aspire to Excel
Fundamental Three: Challenge Yourself
Fundamental Four: Engage Support
Fundamental Five: Practice Deliberately
We can even find the concept of leadership development within Scripture. Paul, during his ministry, also sought to give advice to his young pastors on the development of their own ability to lead others to Christ. This advice is found in his Spirit-inspired letters to Timothy and Titus.
Using Paul’s pastoral epistles 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, write 500-750 words500-750 words identifying the essence of Kouzes and Posner’s Five Fundamentals of Leadership Development. In other words, show how Paul’s words to his young pastors (and anyone else reading the letter) coincide with Kouzes and Posner’s points on leadership development. Your narrative must incorporate both Scripture and Kouzes & Posner’s points. It should also interact with the leadership principles from the other reading for this week when appropriate.