week 8 replies
arnita
week8replies.docxAlex Miranda
12:44amJun 30 at 12:44am
In his book Leading with Cultural Intelligence, Livermore (2015) argues, “Leadership today is a multicultural challenge” (Livermore, 2015, p. 3). Further claiming it is a diverse workplace with variable tendencies, explaining that cultural intelligence – “the capability to function effectively across national, ethnic, and organizational cultures” (Livermore, 2015, p. 4) could be an approach to help connect culture and leadership. According to Northouse (2015), the term culture refers to “the learned beliefs, values, rules, norms, symbols, and traditions that are a common group of people” (Northouse, 2015, p. 428). Christian leadership will encounter these differences (beliefs, values, and traditions); the challenge will be how to lead when there are opposing views effectively. Northouse (2015) warns leaders concerning ethnocentrism – “the tendency for individuals to place their own group (ethnic, racial or cultural) at the center of their observations of others and the world” (Northouse, 2015, pp. 428-429).
Further arguing, people tend to impose their belief systems and values over others (Northouse, 2015). The Christian worldview opposes the worldview of any modern culture (Colossian 2:8; 1 John 2:15-17). Our Lord Jesus warns that families will split due to the belief of the gospel and contrary worldviews (Luke 12:51-53). Although there is value to understanding how a particular culture or belief system operates (especially the LGBTQ community), there is an inherent danger that Christian leaders may believe themselves to be ethnocentric and not stand firm in their faith. Northouse (2015) argues this type of leader would be less open or tolerant towards other people’s cultural differences and beliefs. The belief that ethnocentrism can be harmful could lead to an unbiblical approach. Instead, a Christian leader must look to share their views out of love for others who oppose our Lord’s standards (1Philippians 1:15-18).
Regarding the idea of accountability Christians have to each other, the apostle Paul writes:
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2, ESV)
Christ-followers are new creations in Christ (2Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, the challenge of change is present and ongoing in the life of a Christian (Romans 12:2). Northouse (2015) argues the approach of adaptive leadership promotes the idea of encountering problems. He claims leaders “face difficult challenges, providing them with the space or opportunity they need to learn new ways of dealing with the inevitable changes in assumptions, perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors they are likely to encounter in addressing real problems” (Northouse, 2015, p. 258). This type of approach is biblical regarding the idea of encountering challenges and difficulties. Although Christian leaders are wise to remember, God allows these circumstances to occur, and He causes maturity within the person (James 1:2-4).
References
Livermore, D. A. (2015). Leading with cultural intelligence: The real secret to success (Second edition). American Management Association.
Northouse, P. G. (2015). Leadership: Theory and practice (Seventh Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc.
6:51amJun 30 at 6:51am
Northouse quotes Heifetz in the definition of adaptive leadership as, “the practice of mobilizing people to tackle tough challenges and thrive’ (Northouse, 2016, p.258). This definition points to anyone in an organizational setup who can become a solution to a need. This person can come from any level of vertical leadership or any location of the horizontal follower structure. The core of this leadership concept is one who adjusts into a situation of solution. It does not come with position because anyone can be attracted by a need to step into a leadership position instantly to mobilize, organize, motivate, and direct others to achieve a goal (Ibid), in an organization, institutions, communities, societies, and churches (Northouse, 2016, p.257).
Many problems evolve out of complex and long-standing outdated rules that is no longer beneficial to society, demographic shifts, cultural changes, and environmental changes due to trends and technology. It takes adaptive leaders to step forward with adaptive change suggestions to bring solutions. Adaptive leaders step into situational challenges, use their professional knowledge, service orientation, and creative abilities to identify and solve problems (Northouse, 2016, pp.159-168). David, a shepherd boy who has no military background, was sent by the father with food to his brother who were on the battle front with the Philistines. David identifies the need to take off the giant and he knew the means to achieve this. He steps forward, takes a leadership position, and adopts a nontraditional means to kill Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
According to Douglas McGregor, “Every managerial act rest on assumptions, generalization, and hypothesis” (McGregor, 2003, p.8). Culturally based leadership assumptions are related to prejudice and ethnocentrism. Some people of certain ethnic, cultural, or racial groups display superiority which becomes obstacles to equality or lenses through which they perceive people of other cultures. These assumptions color or dilute leadership behaviors and tend to undermine leader-follower relationships that eventually affects competencies and goal achievements (Northouse, 2016, pp.428-429). Technological and industrial advancements have developed multicultural societies. These customs from diverse backgrounds adversely affect leadership competencies too. Leadership process is greatly influenced by diversity because of its complexities. Leadership must have an open mindset towards leadership process to have a richer understanding of its principles (Northouse, 2016, p.450). Ideological divide in today's western society has sharply split its society into two. It is only through Christ that the racial, political, color, and religious difference can be erased.
Paul talks about nonexistence of cultural differences among Christians when he said, “There is neither Jew Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). For every Christian leader, Paul has dismantled every prejudice and assumptions. Identity of humanity is not found in ethnicity, race, gender, or age, but in Christ Jesus. When man becomes God’s image bearer, God’s likeness in man is sufficient to erase biases and suspicions that color leader-follower relationships.
Reference
Holman study Bible, NKJV. (2015).
McGregor, D. (2006). The human side of enterprise. McGraw-Hill Books.
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage Publications, Inc.
