Leadership in Global Perspective

I just returned from speaking at an international conference on ethics and leadership held in Leuven, Belgium. Scholars, church leaders, and business leaders came from Europe, Africa, and Asia. The theme focused on the rapid changes in the way leadership is understand in all kinds of contexts. Although I made a major presentation, as the lone North American, I did a lot of listening! Let me share a few things that I learned from various parts of the world.

First, practices of leadership require openness and vulnerability. With perhaps the exception of military organizations, contemporary leaders are persons who recognize that flexibility, adaptability, and paying close attention to others are indispensable factors. With the increased scrutiny that new technology brings, leaders are also bound up with a high standard for integrity and character.

Second, culturally diverse teams are more adept at problem solving. Differences in background, culture, expertise, and more are not challenges to be overcome; rather, differences are assets to be leveraged. I don’t mean to make that sound simple. Leaders will have to foster collaborate environments. But what if the task of the leader is more about getting groups of people to work well together rather than always coming up with the answer themselves?

Third, leadership, good or bad, lives out of a particular narrative. A common narrative for leadership practices is that of power: “We will do this because I say so.” Yet for Christian contexts, the narrative of leadership emerges from a different narrative. It is a narrative bound up in the Jesus’ story of relinquishment. As Jesus emptied himself (Phil 2:5f), so do leaders. Such a narrative creates an internal compass that guides the leader.

One evening at dinner I was sitting with the COO of Europe’s largest retail clothing company. As we talked he made the observation that the Christian faith turns standard leadership practices upside down. As I nodded in agreement, he then went on to say, “The deeper I live my faith in my work, the more joy I have in the practice of leadership.”

I say “Amen” to that!