It has been a while since I have been in such formal class settings, with the rigors of learning tied to it. The process has been a challenge adjusting to the volume of work that is required to get through this process. There were days I didn’t sleep trying to get papers done, or due to family responsibility, work, pastoral responsibilities, and another course were just all too much. I felt like giving up. But the support of family and the lectures helped in guiding me through the waters and into the harbor across the finish line. It is the apostle Paul who said I have run the race and finished my course… (2 Tim 4:7).

During the course, I found several chapters very interesting from the course text which has and will continue to affect both my professional- secular and pastoral and personal life.

Chapters 8 – Transformational Leadership

Chapters 10 – Servant leadership

Chapters 13 – Leaders ethics

Chapters 14 – Team leadership

In chapter 8 it was a pleasure learning about the different leadership styles and how transformational leadership stands out from the others. I found this interesting as it mirrors Servant-leader in Chapter 10. In the line of pastoral work, we are called to be servant-leaders. However, I can see where and how best to implement transformational leadership skills into my day to day work. I found the ten characteristics of servant leadership and the need to work on my empathy a little more (Northouse, 2019, pg. 229-230). Maxwell (1999), notes as a servant leader we must put others ahead of our own agenda (pg. 136).

Team leadership was compelling as it showed the power of teamwork. Every time I look at a team now, I process the eight characteristics of a capable group (Northouse, 2019) with the hope of assessing the condition and taking the necessary steps to address the issues or weak links.

“A leader can reduce the effectiveness of their team by not being willing to confront inadequate performance, diluting the team’s ability to perform by having too many priorities, and overstating the positive aspects of the team performance” (pg. 379).

Reference

Maxwell, J. C. (1999). The 21 indispensable qualities of a leader: Becoming the person others will want to follow. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and Practice, Eighth Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.