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Position Paper Assignment: Organizational Leadership
Austin Crabtree
Helm’s School of Government, Liberty University
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Position Paper Assignment: Organizational Leadership
Introduction
Leadership in public organizations or government is an ever-evolving skill set that must
change and adapt with the society and people they serve. Public organizations and government
leadership sometimes struggle to adapt to the needs of their followers and citizens. “Effective
leadership and management involve decision making, communication, self-awareness, and the
ability to motivate others and manage group dynamics” (Denhardt et al., 2014, p. 323).
Leadership roles have gravitated toward a morally right position that is based around sound
ethics, principles, integrity, and vision. This is a different approach to leadership than the
traditional role of leadership seen in the past. For leadership styles to change and become more
effective in this time, organizations are looking at statesmanship, interpersonal and
organizational leadership, and the best practices for organizational communication.
Statesmanship
Statesmanship is a model of leadership characteristics that are often embodied by great
men from the past, usually kings, presidents, explorers, and public servants. Jones (2019) says
this about statesmanship:
“A statesman is viewed as a higher class of political actor, wholly and absolutely
dedicated to his country. Not only is he able to foresee coming events, but he is also
sufficiently skilled in the art of politics to ‘put his hand on the rudder’ and guide the ship
of the state towards safety and prosperity.4 He is idealistic and stands by his principles in
the face of adversity, but pragmatic too and capable of weighing up both sides of an
argument” (p. 217).
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Statesmen are motivated and inspired to serve first and put others interests before their
own, especially if it means better for their country or organization. Statesmanship is typically
associated with leadership at the top of organizations, however, in the public sector and
government, statesmanship can be and should be found at all levels. Overeem & Bakker (2016)
believe that statesmanship has come into a new era that has transcended the concept that
statesmanship could only be performed by regime founders, high-ranking officials in the
government, or heads of state. “This has changed, however, as statesmanship has increasingly
been ascribed to other figures as well, such as high-level judges, public servants, and military”
(Overeem & Bakker, 2016, new style section, para. 1). No matter what level a statesman is at,
their sole focus will be on the common good. “The aim of statesmen remains, of course, to
promote the widest possible common good—or, in contemporary parlance, the general interest”
(Overeem & Bakker, 2016, conceptual framework section, para. 2).
Interpersonal Leadership
Leadership at any level involves interacting with people and navigating varying
emotions, personalities, and cultural backgrounds. Interpersonal leadership is how leadership
interacts with their followers. “Typical interpersonal leadership actions include empowering,
providing support and development, directing, following-up and giving feedback, as well as
communicating and encouraging collaboration in teamwork” (Zander, 2020, abstract section).
While statesmanship leadership is focused on leading a country or organization with the focus of
the common good, interpersonal leadership focuses on the individuals they are leading. Typical
interpersonal leadership dynamics include teachers to pupils, parents to children, or public
administrators to their followers. Interpersonal leadership, while somewhat different that
statesmanship, can also focus on the common good. “Interpersonal leadership is vital for
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coordination and collaboration of activities toward a common goal, and, as such, has been and
still is fundamental to human survival and society” (Zander, 2020, para. 2). Leaders that present
themselves as statesman and put a focus on interpersonal leadership can have an organization
that fosters effective communication, a healthy work environment, and loyalty to their
organization. In a study done by Hansen et al., (2014), interpersonal leadership has been linked
to employees who feel more empowered and respected by their leaders. Hansen et al., states that
leaders who exhibit interpersonal leadership help employees “through inspirational
communication, supportiveness, recognition, respect, and transparency of explanations for
decisions, interpersonal leaders communicate value and respect to their employees and make
them part of and connect them to the organization and others within” (Hansen et al., 2014,
organizational identification section, para. 3). According to a study done by Lamm et al., leaders
with interpersonal leadership styles have certain characteristics that enable them to interact with
their followers in a way that helps the organization thrive. Lamm et al., lists these characteristics
as the following: “understanding, caring and consideration for others, communication
competence, fostering and maintaining good relationships, managing conflict, delegating,
empowering, fostering happiness, promoting collective decision making, motivating and
recognizing others, and encouraging innovating thinking” (Lamm et al., 2016, interpersonal
leadership section, para. 1). Interpersonal leadership is a style of transformational leadership.
Transformational leadership is an integral part of leadership ability and getting the most out of
followers for an organization, much like interpersonal leadership itself. Ritz et al., states that
transformational leadership “inspires followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes by changing
their attitudes and values through the provision of both meaning and understanding and through
the alignment of organizational mission and goals” (2014. Transformational leadership section,
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para. 1). Leadership of this caliber allows for employees and followers to grow and prosper in
their roles withing the organization. Interpersonal leadership is an integral part of leadership and
plays a significant role alongside organizational leadership.
Organizational Leadership
Organizational leadership is a set of skills or characteristics that are required to be in a
leadership role of an organization or government entity. Organizational leadership focuses on
teamwork and working together toward a common goal, whereas interpersonal leadership is
focused on the individual success inside an organization. Organizational leadership is linked to
“sustained competitive advantage and superior organizational performance” (Haile, 2022, para.
1). Kollenscher et al. (2016) argues from their study that organizational leadership is viewed as a
key factor that affects an organization’s sustainability and success but is dependent upon how the
leadership is conceptualized. Often with organizational leadership, an organization views
leadership as one person’s ability to lead a large group of people to incite change. This view
would lead to organizations failing to become fruitful and successful. The other view, which is
individuals throughout the organization inciting change, could lead to the success of
organizations and promote employees and followers’ willingness to support the vision and goals
of the organization. “Leadership plays an important role in the operation of organizations and the
wellbeing of workers within” (Kollenscher et al., 2016, summary section, para. 2). Denhardt et
al., also argues that “leadership is not just the responsibility of those in the executive suite but
can and should be exercised throughout an organization” (2014, p. 325). Organizational
leadership is implemented within organizations and governments by following a process of
planning, initiation, control, support, information, and assessment (Ionescu & Bolcas, 2019).
Leaders and organizations that implement these processes can determine the success or failure of
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their respective organization’s dependent upon the leader’s ability to have followers ‘buy in’ to
their vision.
Interpersonal and Organizational Leadership Connection
Interpersonal and organizational leadership are leadership tendencies that can
work together well to enable an organization of government entity to be successful and prosper.
While certain aspects of interpersonal leadership and organizational leadership have their
differences, they work together to run an organization efficiently. Leaders who use these
leadership styles simultaneously greatly benefit their followers and organizations. Utilizing a
multidimensional leadership approach allows a leader to better empower his followers and
creates a sense of unity and understanding withing his organization. This means that their
followers will be more willing to work toward a common goal. A leadership concept made by
R.K. Greenleaf in 1977 suggests that leaders who put focus on their followers needs “create
more human organizations and, in turn, induce the best from followers, and thus, build successful
organizations” (Elche et al., 2020, para. 1). When leaders work to empower and improve their
followers, their organizations grow, and it increases their employee’s organizational citizenship
behavior. “When an organization offers employees opportunities to develop their skills and
careers, employees’ citizenship behavior increases. They are more likely to demonstrate this
citizenship behavior when their organizations strongly encourage them to engage in learning
activities” (Kim & Park, 2019, organizational learning section, para. 2). When employees and
followers are ‘bought in’ on a vision or goal, organizational success is sure to follow, especially
when that vision or goal is a shared principle or moral. “Alignment between espoused beliefs and
actual practices enhances organizational performance. A shared sense of purpose, direction and
strategy can foster organizational identification and strengthen organizational members’ actions
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towards organizational vision enhancing organizational effectiveness” (Gochhayat et al., 2017,
organizational culture section, para. 2).
Effective Organizational Communication Practices
Communication within an organization is the life source of how well an organization,
business, or government can run. “Organizational communication provides direction to the
organization and its members. It provides answers to all questions, clears up confusion, provides
guidance and motivates all for the attainment of organizational goals” (Gochhayat et al., 2017,
organizational communication section, para. 1). Being an effective leader means there will be
effective communication between leadership and followers. Followers need to know what is
expected of them, what tasks need to be done to complete a goal or vision and be told how well
or poorly the job is being done. There are several ways to achieve effective organizational
communication. “Communicative activities, such as engaging stakeholders, change-information
dissemination, and staff training are intended to help alleviate uncertainty and anxiety that
change inevitably creates among organizational members” (Cao et al., 2016, organizational
change section, para. 1). Conflicts are inevitable inside of organizations and governments.
Effective communication with employees and followers can alleviate possible conflicts before
they arise or can resolve issues as they come along. Another aspect of effective communication
within organizations is interagency emergency response. For an organization or government
entity to survive and prosper, they must be able to communicate with other agencies during
disasters and emergencies. “To act effectively in disaster situations requires sharing and using
information effectively: collecting, collating, analyzing, and then deploying it promptly and in a
useful form” (Kapucu, 2006, p. 208, para. 2). Leaders and organizations who cannot effectively
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communicate with their followers or other agencies will fail their respective organizations and in
turn fail the people they serve.
Biblical Application
Leadership is found throughout the Bible in many different stories. King David,
Noah, Moses, and Jesus Christ are just a few examples of leadership found within the Bible, and
each one exhibited a different leadership style. When serving in the role of leadership inside of
an organization or government, Christians should lead in a way that is honoring to God more
than anything else. A leader should not have selfish intentions or malice but should always strive
to serve others and do what is best morally and ethically for the whole of the organization. “Do
nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more
important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for
the interests of others” (New American Standard Bible, 1971/1995, Philippians 2: 3-4). A leader
should also look out for his followers on a personal level and be concerned with their emotions
and needs. “Know well the condition of your flocks and pay attention to your herds” (New
American Standard Bible, 1971/1995, Proverbs 27:23). Once a leader knows his followers and
understands what concerns they have, they should be sure to do whatever they can to empower
those followers. A leader may not always be successful in making every follower feel important
or seen, however, if the leader gives their best effort and gives glory to God during those times,
he will bring honor to the Lord. “Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all things
to the glory of God” (New American Standard Bible, 1971/1995, 1 Corinthians 10:31).
Conclusion
Statesmanship, interpersonal leadership, organizational leadership, and effective
communication practices all have their place within the foundations and structure of
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organizations and government. Leaders who possess skill and attributes that are generally
attributed to statesmanship and interpersonal leadership help organizations and government
become successful in achieving goals and visions. Those same leaders also empower and
encourage their followers to be successful withing the respective roles inside those organizations.
Employees and others inside of organizations often mimic their leadership. If the leadership is
exhibiting statesmanship and interpersonal leadership, the followers will also exhibit those
leadership styles. Communicating effectively with followers and other agencies or organizations
also helps leaders become successful in their roles. Leaders should look to the Lord for guidance
in how to lead their organizations and ensure that they have their followers’ best interests and
morals at the forefront of their decision making.
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