PERSONAL PHYLOSOPHY

Running head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 1

Personal Philosophy or Vision for Leadership, Character & Ethics and Worldview

Brooks Alexander

Student ID# 1049876

San Diego Christian College

HS320

February 24, 2019

Professor Carl Rehberg

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 2

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to state my beliefs on the issues of leadership, character &

ethics, and worldview. As a Christian, I know that these beliefs ought to be based on the Bible,

because it is the only revelation we have from God. While the primary text for my research is the

Bible, a few other texts are also referenced to properly build my philosophy of leadership,

character & ethics, and worldview. As I prepare for my first job after college, I believe that I

ought to be preparing now for how to integrate these three core issues into my walk with Christ

and relationships with the people around me. Following my graduation from college, I will be

commissioning as an officer in the United States Air Force. I desire to fly in the USAF, and

therefore this is the job for which I will create a strategy at the end of this paper.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 3

Personal Philosophy or Vision for Leadership, Character & Ethics and Worldview

In his book Christian Worldview: A Student’s Guide, Philip Graham Ryken remarks that

“The conflict of worldview calls Christians to thoughtful cultural engagement. In an increasingly

secularized society, the followers of Christ often find their ideas under attack” (2013). The

“thoughtful cultural engagement” that Ryken mentions may range from the Christian’s

interaction with a salesperson at a department store to discussions with his or her boss in the

workplace (2013). Cultural engagement occurs every day. It is necessary for all Christians to

have a biblical worldview for them to properly interact with the culture. Without biblically-based

ethics, the Christian cannot have a proper worldview. Additionally, a Christian’s character

should stem from the Holy Scriptures. Without godly character, maximally effective leadership

is not possible. Whether it be in the workplace or in the home, leadership ought to be Biblically-

based and modeled after the Lord Jesus Christ himself. As a cadet in the Air Force Reserve

Officer Training Corps and potential officer in the U.S. Air Force, I must be prepared to lead

people. General Schwarzkopf of the U.S. Army once stated, “The more you sweat in peace, the

less you bleed in war” (Norman Schwarzkopf, n.d.). This principle is applicable not only to

physical warfare but also to spiritual warfare. I believe that I should be prepared right now to

make the right decision when I am faced with an ethical dilemma in the future. Throughout this

paper, I will be establishing my biblically-based beliefs on the issues of leadership, character &

ethics, and worldview. The Bible, along with other texts, will be examined to support a proper

view of the above issues. Because I believe that training right now in college is critical to

successfully honoring God in my first job after college, I will practically layout a strategy for

how to prepare myself. In the final section of the paper, the application section, this strategy will

be explained.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 4

Leadership

Dr. John MacArthur excellently defines leadership. He states that “leadership is

influence. The ideal leader is someone whose life and character motivate people to follow. The

best kind of leadership derives its authority first from the force of a righteous example, and not

merely from the power of prestige, personality, or position” (MacArthur, 2010). Therefore,

leadership is intimately connected with character & ethics and worldview. My Savior, the Lord

Jesus Christ, was the greatest leader of all time. His example of leadership is the ultimate

example for me to follow and imitate. Jesus taught in Matthew that “‘whoever wishes to be first

among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,

and to give His life a ransom for many’” (Matt. 20:27-28 New American Standard Bible). As this

passage indicates, a Christian leader serves, sacrifices, and exhibits selflessness (MacArthur,

2010). The apostle Paul was also convinced that selflessness is key to leadership. He

commanded, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). He recognized the

crucial truth that leadership is living one’s life for Christ and motivating people to follow His

example. I believe that to be a godly leader, I must live a life of integrity and good moral

character to motivate the people around me to follow Christ. When I am an officer in the United

States Air Force, I will need to build trust with the people around me. Whether they be airmen or

lieutenants, I will need to prove to them that their interests are my priority, and that I will not do

anything to harm them (MacArthur, 2010). While I must have their best interests in mind, I also

must never compromise on God’s Word. MacArthur states that “when it comes to matters of

principle—moral and ethical foundations, biblical absolutes, the axioms of God’s Word, God’s

clear commands, and the truthfulness of God Himself—it is never right to compromise. The true

leader understands that and knows where to hold the line” (2010).

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 5

Character & Ethics

From an early age, my parents instilled in me a firm belief – how a person thinks and acts

when they are alone is the foundation of their character. Thus, my character is forged in the

moments when I am alone and no one except God is watching me. Jesus stated in Luke,

“Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have

whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops” (Luke 12:3). This verse

motivates me to live a life of integrity and overall upstanding character. Dr. Rehberg defines

integrity as “the state of wholeness, consistency, and sincerity, with no deception or pretense;

firm adherence to a code of moral values, i.e., incorruptible, honor” (2018). I seek to live a life of

integrity every day. First and foremost, I do this because God commands me to live with

integrity. Additionally, I live with integrity because I am called to be a leader. As a man, I will

lead my wife and lead my household. As a future officer in the United States Air Force and

potential fighter pilot, I will lead men and women of the USAF into the heat of battle to protect

our nation and eliminate threats to the people of the United States. I believe that Dr. Rehberg

made a crucial point when he stated that “For Christians, the personal and professional are linked

– character is integral, [there is] no dichotomy” (2018). Making the morally & ethically right

choice even when it will hurt me is a decision that I have to make before I am forced to make it.

And to be ready to make this choice, I am obligated to live a life of integrity and good character

in my personal life. My devotion to proper character & ethics pervades all of life. It will always

impact other people rather than just impacting me. My future wife deserves my complete

openness and utter devotion. I must love her as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25). In summary,

my devotion to character & ethics is primarily determined by the little thoughts and actions

within my everyday life.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 6

Worldview

My worldview is crucial to how I analyze every thought, word, and action that occurs in

my life. Ryken states that a worldview “is the structure of understanding that we use to make

sense of our world” (2013). I remember the early stages of my walk with Christ, when I rarely

thought about the basis of my worldview. As the Holy Spirit sanctified my soul, I began to be

more consistent in my Bible studies. There is often a difference between how I think I am living

the Christian life, and how I actually am living it. Ryken terms this disconnect the Christian’s

theoretical worldview versus the Christian’s functional worldview (2013). God’s Word, the

Bible, is key to maintaining a proper theoretical and functional worldview. I firmly side with

Ryken in his statement that “Worldviews are inherently religious. Because our worldview is at

the core of who we are, it always reveals our fundamental convictions, including what we

believe (or don’t believe) about God. There is no spiritual neutrality–no view from nowhere”

(2013). When I am gripped by this reality, it humbles me and drives me to the arms of our loving

Father. Without his loving guidance and correction, I could not ever have a godly worldview. By

God’s grace, I am cultivating an active worldview which analyzes the thoughts of my mind. I am

reminded of God’s divine nature and His all-surpassing greatness every day by the Word and His

creation that surrounds us. I believe that a high view of God is also critical to maintaining a

proper worldview. Ryken quotes Naugle saying, “The Christian worldview steadfastly maintains

that God is the ‘ultimate reality whose trinitarian nature, personal character, moral excellence,

wonderful works and sovereign rule constitute the objective reference point for all reality’”

(Naugle, as cited in Ryken, 2013). Without the Holy Spirit’s illumination as I read His Word, I

would have no wisdom at all, and my life would be worthless. I am so thankful for His inspired

Word and for the Holy Spirit’s illumination to grant me a godly worldview.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 7

Application

Leadership

By God’s grace, I have already been placed in several job and school circumstances that

have cultivated my leadership style over the last few years of my life. I have learned by example

& experience that nurturing a servant’s heart is key to being an effective leader. Lord willing, I

will be leading wingmen through flight training in the USAF within a year after my college

graduation. I must build trust with my compatriots at Air Force ROTC to be ready for the great

endeavor of pilot training. Each week, I should ask fellow cadets about what is occurring in their

lives and perhaps even ask how I can be praying for them. Hopefully, they will recognize that I

care about their lives, and that I want them to succeed at Air Force ROTC. Avoiding the pitfall of

selfishness is a struggle for many leaders. In Philippians, Paul addressed this pitfall where he

stated, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one

another as more important than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3). To avoid the pitfall of selfishness, I will

hold myself accountable by discussing my thoughts and actions with my father on a biweekly

basis. He has tremendous leadership experience stemming from his job with Accenture, and I

have admired his example of leadership for many years. To become the leader that I ought to be

for my job in the USAF, I will focus on cultivating a servant’s heart.

Character & Ethics

The foundation of my character and view of ethics ought to be based on the Holy

Scriptures. As addressed in the section of this paper devoted to character & ethics, this

foundation is determined practically by how I live my private life. To continue to develop my

character, I am unwaveringly focused on studying the Bible each week. Dr. MacArthur states

that “a leader must know the Scriptures. He must believe with an unshakable conviction that

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 8

God’s Word is true” (2010). Paul addressed in Romans how to cultivate character. He declared,

“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who

are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the

mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5-6). In my opinion, the best way to hold myself

accountable for having good character and a truthful view of ethics is to daily read the Word of

God. When I reach an ethical dilemma, His Word will guide me in making the right decision.

Integrity will be the primary virtue I behold as I proceed through USAF pilot training.

Worldview

To maintain a biblical worldview, I will need to be consistently studying God’s Word.

While this logic may seem circular, it is nevertheless true. Because of the pervasion of

entertainment in today’s culture, ungodly worldviews are in constant circulation. My fellow

student pilots at flight training will be living out these ungodly worldviews. Thus, it is essential

that I hold fast to the Word of God and live out my theoretical, biblical worldview. Plenty of

unbiblical thoughts will slip through the cracks, but a steady diet of the Word and constant

communication with God via prayer should give me the presence of mind to fight the improper

thoughts that would otherwise make it into my consciousness. Paul commanded in Romans,

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so

that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect”

(Rom. 12:2). My fiancée was brought up in a Christian home and has a biblically-based, truthful

worldview. Since we will be married before I begin pilot training, she will help hold me

accountable to the Scriptures to maintain a proper worldview. When my worldview conflicts

with a fellow student pilot’s worldview, I will hold fast to the truth and boldly live my life in

accordance with the Scriptures.

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OR VISION FOR LEADERSHIP 9

References

MacArthur, J. (2010). Called to lead: [26 leadership lessons from the life of the apostle paul].

Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Norman Schwarzkopf Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved from

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/norman_schwarzkopf_455013

Rehberg, C. (2018). HS310 foreign intelligence and espionage: government philosophies [PDF

document]. Retrieved from

https://sdcc.populiweb.com/router/courseofferings/8653544/lessons/8048138/show

Ryken, P. (2013). Christian worldview: A student's guide. Wheaton, IL: Crossway.