Running head: GROUP 3 FORUM 5
Group 3 Forum 5
Adam Russell, David McCready, John Raines, and Kevin Leflore
Liberty University BMAL 501-B09
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Abstract
This assignment will include the three most important concepts learned from chapters 1 and 2 in
the book Resilient Leaders by Robert F. Dees. Chapters 1 and 2 cover a variety of topics laying
the foundation and definition of what it means to be a leader and what resilient leadership looks
like. From these topics three important concepts have presented themselves that have stood out
amongst the other. The first important concept is selfless service. The trait of a servant’s heart is
vital for a leader because to lead you first must know how to serve others first. The second
important concept is risk management. Leaders will always deal with hardships, but it is vital
that a leader be able to identify and mitigate risks as much as possible. Lastly, the theme of the
book, resilience, will be the last concept discussed and why it is so important for leaders to be.
Keywords: selfless service, risk management, resilience
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Group 3 Forum 4 – Final
Good leadership is often the difference between success, failure, happiness and despair in
the work environment. After completing this week’s assigned reading, reviewing discussion
boards, Group 3 collectively selected selfless service, risk management, and resilient leadership
as the three most important concepts discussed. This research paper will explore the role of
selfless service, risk management, and resilient leadership in the context of organizational
management, strategies for implementing these concepts into organizational management and
their relationship to a biblical worldview.
Selfless Service
Strategies for implementation
Biblical Integration
Risk management
Risk management is a necessity of leadership a mindset and vigilance that must not
waiver. Regardless of position, a leader will always deal with risks and will need to mitigate
them. Dees (2013) states that risk management “is a critical leader competency” (p. 51). Quoted
in Gurd and Helliar (2017) leaders “articulate its organizations objectives, develop strategies,
identify the risks to achieving those objectives and then mitigate those risks in delivering the
strategy” (p. 91-92). Organization deal with a multitude of risks from ranging from economic
conditions, production of goods and services, down to risks created by those employed. Although
it is impossible to consider and mitigate every risk it is necessary for leaders to identify and
mitigate as many as possible. Mitigating such risks will allow for individual success along with
the overall organization. It is up to organizations and leaders to implement an effective risk
management system that anyone from the top down can utilize and assist in.
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Implementation
Risk management should align with the organizations strategy and business model. It is
up to the organization to determine best what risk management system or theory to implement
based on the organizations strategy. From there, it is up to the leaders and even employees to
adhere to the risk management practices. Risk management has been implemented, viewed, or
approached in a multitude of ways based on many factors related to the organization itself.
However, a new approach toward risk management has proved to be effective for organizations,
regardless of factors, that have implemented enterprise risk management (ERM).
In ERM, “all possible risks are identified, and appropriate risk responses are chosen
within the enterprise risk appetite” (Soltanizadeh, Rasid, Golshan, and Ismail, 2016, p. 1017).
The benefits of ERM, through research, have proved significant. Organizations have seen a
reduction of cost of capital, reduced earnings volatility, reduction of stock price volatility, the
gaining of a competitive advantage through the identification of those risks, enhanced informed
decision-making ability, and an increase in confidence for investors (Soltanizadeh, et. al., 2016,
p. 1017). These noted benefits are vital for organizations to succeed in the global competitive
markets that exist today. Risk management can be the determining factor of the organizations
success.
Biblical application
Although the concept of risk management isn’t necessarily in Scripture, the Bible does
speak on risk. Risk is an aspect of life that must be accepted, understood, and prepared for just as
in the concept of risk management for organizations. Proverbs 22:3 states, “a sensible person
sees danger and takes cover, but the inexperienced keep going and are punished” (Holman
Christian Standard Bible). This verse is applicable as risk management. One must look for
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danger or risk and mitigate such risk. If one does not see, understand, and prevent those risks
they are punished. The Bible itself is a form of risk management. The Bible speaks on many
topics and prepares one to deal with the risks and dangers that life will present. Knowing the
word of God prepares us as Christians for this world and the many trials and tribulations we will
face.
Resilient Leadership
Resilience is another critical characteristic for leaders and organizations to embody. Dees
(2013) defined resilient leadership as “Selfless service over time from a platform of character
and competence (p. 45). One of the key components of Dees (2013) definition is “over time” or
consistency (p. 45). Consistency requires resilience, which Dees (2013) defined as:
“The ability of a leader to bounce back from tough and perplexing leadership challenges,
to help your team and your organization to bounce back in the same fashion and to do it
repeatedly over time without loss of passion” (p. 46).
Resilient leaders maintain faith in organizational goals in spite of the circumstances. According
to Farrar (2017) humility and adaptability are essential ingredients for resilient leadership” (p. 6).
Resilient leaders welcome failures as opportunities for growth and remain adaptable to changing
circumstances. During tough times, resilient leaders stay grounded and focused on their sphere
of influence (Farrar, 2017, p. 9). The ability to remain resilient in the face of overwhelming odds
rests in one’s character and competence (Dees, video). Character and Competence are only as
strong as the other; and both are required to successfully navigate trials with skill and integrity.
Strategies for implementation
Resilience runs on past deposits and is both the responsibility of the individual and the
organization to maintain. According to (Mayordomo-Rodríguez, García-Massó, Sales-Galán,
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Meléndez-Moral, & Serra-Añó, 2015) Resilience involves competency or positive and effective
coping in response to risk or adversity (p. 317). Competency refers to having adequate abilities
and coping refers to an individual’s ability to overcome problems and difficulties (Merriam-
Webster, 2018). Organizations need to focus on improving staff competency and coping through
training and education. Establish a training calendar and maintain records of training conducted.
Another means of improving resilience is through support systems (Mayordomo-Rodríguez et al.
2015, p. 318). Organizations can create an internal support network that monitors the wellbeing
of its employees. Additionally, organization can broaden their support system to include the
families of its employee, thereby bolstering each employee’s organic support system.
Biblical Integration
Christians draw their strength and ability to lead with resilience from the from the Lord.
Ephesians 5:18b (English Standard Version) states “but be filled with the Spirit” and Joshua 1:9
(English Standard Version) states “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do
not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
According to Dees (2013) tribulation is inevitable. The key is to transform obstacles into
opportunities (p. 42). James 1:2-3 (English Standard Version) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers
and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your
faith produces perseverance.” It is the trials of life that refine leaders and organizations. Psalms
66:10 (English Standard Version) states “For you have tried us, O God; you have refined us as
silver is refined.” The process of refining silver requires intense heat to burn off the impurities.
Leaders must keep the faith; they must encourage their subordinates and guide them through the
tough times. Psalms 78:72 (English Standard Version) states “With upright heart he shepherded
them and guided them with his skillful hand.”
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Conclusion
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References
Competent [Def. 2]. (2018). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competent
Cope [Def. 2b]. (2018). In Merriam-Webster. Retrieved February 21, 2018, from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/competent
Dees, R. F. (2013). Resilient leaders. San Diego: Creative Team Pub.
Dees, R. F. (Director). (n.d.). Introduction to Resilient Leaders [Video file]. Retrieved February
15, 2018, from https://download.liberty.edu/courses/3vtve.mp4
Farrar, J. J. (2017). Resilient leadership. International Journal of Emergency Services,6(3), 238-
246. doi:10.1108/ijes-07-2017-0040
Gurd, B., & Helliar, C. (2017). Looking for leaders: ‘Balancing’ innovation, risk and
management control systems. The British Accounting Review 49(1), 91-102.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2016.10.008.
Kinicki, A., & Fugate, M. (2018). Organizational behavior: a practical, problem-solving
approach. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Mayordomo-Rodríguez, T., García-Massó, X., Sales-Galán, A., Meléndez-Moral, J. C., & Serra-
Añó, P. (2015). Resilience patterns: Improving stress adaptation based on an Individual’s
personal features. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 80(4),
316-331. 10.1177/0091415015603595
Soltanizadeh, S., Rasid, S., Golshan, N., & Ismail, W. (2016). Business strategy, enterprise risk
management and organizational performance. Management Research Review 39(9),
1016-1033. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1108/MRR-05-2015-0107.
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