Public Service Leadership and Integration of Faith
In the context of administration, leadership’s primary focus is the outcome. For instance, leadership may focus on technical performance which deals with getting work done (Van, 2014). Leadership may also focus on the development and motivation of followers who are useful in the process of getting work done or carrying out an activity. Also, leadership may focus on the alignment of external opportunities and needs of an organization for substantive change outcomes. Public service leadership entails provision of technical performance, directing followers and organization needs with commitment and orientation to public service. The different types of public service leadership include transformational leadership, authoritarian leadership and democratic leadership.
The authoritarian leadership involves giving out straight to the point instructions of what needs to be done (Dai & De Meuse 2013). Authoritarian leaders make independent decisions without input from other people. Authoritarian leadership is useful in getting things done effectively and fast since it only requires the input of the leader, such as military commanders giving detection in the battle. Democratic leadership involves the team’s ideas and input which the leader utilizes to make the final decision. For instance, risky and dangerous situations such as fire and natural disasters rescue plans necessitate teamwork for effective management of the situation. Transformational leadership refers to a leader’s ability to affect change by utilizing the force of character. For instance, transformative leaders inspire and motivate their team by pointing future outcome for a given task such as high ranking officer’s motivational speech given to troops before battle.
The great man theory assumes that leaders are born, which increases the likelihood of developing leadership skills achieved through early training (Van, 2014). However, through empirical data-based studies, behavioural scientists indicate that genetic predisposition contributes to 30 to 32 % of leadership role variance, leaving a more significant role for leadership development. The making of a leader degree depends on two components of leadership development. The two leadership development components include experience and formal training. In comparison with experience, formal training contributes a small portion to the overall development of leadership skills. Moreover, the experience is the best method for teaching leadership skills with extreme cases involving learning as opposed to being taught. Therefore leaders are born and made since innate abilities, and formal training is essential in the development of leadership skills.
Leadership and management are terms used interchangeably. However, there are significant differences and similarities between these two words (Solomon et al., 2016). Firstly, leadership is concerned with producing change, alignment of people, strategizing and carrying out the vision of an organization. However, management is concerned with consistency and order while emphasizing on budgeting, planning, staffing, controlling and organizing. Moreover, leaders innovate while managers deal with the administration. Also, leaders develop new ideas while managers maintain the organization’s culture. Leadership and management are similar in that both aspects include their ability to get work done through influencing action. For instance, leaders and managers get involved in daily organizational activities to understand the challenges better to enhance the efficiency and delivery of services (Popovici, 2012). Also, managers and leaders are a source of integrity, empathy and inspiration.
The Christian world view is useful in understanding the integration of faith and political engagement (Manning, 2017). For instance, bible characters such as Daniel and Joseph engaged with the civil government through exerting influence which led to national prosperity. Also, Jesus fed the hungry and healed people hence meeting the physical needs of the people. Paul also advocated people to be kind to others as in Galatians 6:10. Therefore political participation should involve good works due to the significant and legitimate role of the government (Tshaka & Senokoane, 2016). Moreover, politics are unavoidable since the furtherance of the gospel requires the adoption of government systems. For instance, access to visa is a government service necessary for reaching different regions.
According to Matthew 20:25, Jesus describes the gentile’s authority over gentiles and indicates that those who desire to be great must serve others. Jesus also states that those who desire to be leaders must also be willing to slaves even as Jesus came to serve and save others. Therefore, from the biblical passage, leaders should not oppress others though overpowering people with their authority as gentiles did but instead should help others with humility. Moreover, God is loving, creator of everything and has gifted people differently. Humans are sinful and fulfil their desires through actions that motivate them individually. Therefore Christian leaders should work with God in the redemption of the human race through exercising integrity, love, modesty, and motivation over others.
Leadership and management skills are essential components of effective public service delivery. The three types of leadership include transformational, authoritarian and democratic leadership. Although innate characteristics are useful in leadership development, personal experience and formal training are equally essential in developing leadership skills. The significant differences between leadership and management roles are that management is concerned with ensuring order and consistency, planning organizing and budgeting. In contrast, leadership roles include the transformation of an organization through strategizing, aligning peoples and organization’s vision and while leaders innovate implementing the organization’s vision.
Integration of Christian faith and political involvements is crucial since Christianity majors on achieving the greater good for humanity which is the legitimate cause for governments in the provision of services to its people. The bible admonishes Christian leaders to exerciser good leadership through serving others as opposed to oppressing others by overpowering them as indicated in Mathew 20:25.
ReferencesTop of Form
Dai, G., & De Meuse, K. P. (2013). Types of leaders across the organizational hierarchy: A person-centred approach. Human performance, 26(2), 150-170.Bottom of Form
Manning, P. (2017). Faith, leadership and public life: Leadership lessons from Moses to Jesus.
Popovici, V. (2012). Similarities and differences between management and leadership. Annals-Economy Series, 2, 126-135.
Solomon, I. G., Costea, C., & Nita, A. M. (2016). Leadership versus management in public organizations. Economics, Management and Financial Markets, 11(1), 143.
Tshaka, R., & Senokoane, B. (2016). The Christian politician? An investigation into the theological grounding for Christians’ participation in politics. HTS Theological Studies, 72(1), 1-7.
Van Wart, M. (2014). Dynamics of leadership in public service: Theory and practice. Routledge.