Capstone: Apl Prac & Princ Ldg

2.1 One Anothering Devotional Part 2

Getting Started

Several years ago, a professor divided a group of about 25 adult education Master of Business Administration (MBA) students into four focus groups during a class session. He asked each of the groups to discuss the following question and then develop an answer:

"What is the most important thing for a leader to be, have, or do as it relates to followers (or employees or direct reports, etc.)?"

After about a half-hour discussion, the professor asked each group to appoint a spokesperson to report back their group’s findings. All four groups had come to the same conclusion. All four spokespersons reported a single word – love. Upon further explanation, each group felt that love was the underpinning for patience, engagement, care, collaboration, and even discipline that leaders needed to exercise.

In other words, after much debate about what it means to lead, these adults and working business students thought that leaders loving their followers may be the most essential elements of effective leadership.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Articulate the relational element of leadership in community. 

Background Information

Access the drop-down below to read or listen to Ephesians 4:1-6.

Ephesians 4:1-6

As the opening of the passage indicates, the apostle Paul is in prison (likely under house arrest) for his faith and preaching about Jesus Christ. He describes the life of faith and engaging with others (including leading) as a calling, encouraging his readers to live a life worthy of that calling. While sometimes lists of effective leaders include things like intelligence and determination (which well may be true), Paul has some different ideas as he thinks about the relational implications of existing in community (including organizations). His words (or traits) include:

· Humility

· Gentleness

· Patience

· Bearing with one other (tolerance)

All these things he grounds in the idea of love, supporting the perspective of leadership from the inside out.

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. Read or listen to the Bible Passage noted in the Background section.

3. Review information in the Getting Started and Background sections.

4. Consider the following thought starters:

a. As you consider the words and ideas that Paul associated with being together in community (including organizations), such as patience and love, in what ways have you experienced (or not experienced) these traits from leaders?

b. How have leaders having (or not having) these traits affected how you think about them as a leader? Their effectiveness?

c. What is one leadership theme, principle, practice, or source that you studied in the program that you can relate to having patience with and love for others in the organization?

d. What lessons can you deduce from your experiences and reflection to help you in your current and future leadership roles? In your personal development? In your spiritual development?

5. After reading and reviewing this information, write and submit a half-page reflection paper (Word document) that shares your thoughts/perspectives on the themes of this devotional.  You do not need to answer each of the thought prompts. Rather, reflect on the questions and then compose a thoughtful response.