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How do we define Spiritual Leadership, and what are
the qualities and characteristics that identify a Spiritual Leader? We
will first look at the functions and processes that help foster and
cultivate Spiritual Leaders in today’s world, and hopefully this will
help us create a clear picture of the
qualities necessary to embody this role.
The Spiritual Leader must
first know what she believes. “When you don’t know what you believe in,
you don’t know who you are. You have no idea why you’re here. You
can’t see where you are going” (Bolman & Deal, 2001, p. 57). She must
be clear and focused about what she believes, what she stands for, and
what she can contribute (Clawson, 1999). She must create a vision for
herself and focus her efforts through mission, vision, and values. This
vision must embrace the highest ethical and moral virtue. Principles
such as integrity, vulnerability, compassion, courage, and service
describe the Visionary leader. She must be willing to meet and face
challenges and take the risks necessary to manifest her vision. She
embodies the Visionary archetype and is today’s Visionary who shows
others how to live a better life and embrace a greater world view.
The Spiritual Leader’s
function is to develop in spiritual maturity by knowing herself and
being aware of what she believes. The Spiritual Leader must find within
herself the maturity to step into a higher level of consciousness and
live from that consciousness. She must have the maturity to accept
personal responsibility and lead herself as well as others – leading
from her own presence and personal inspiration, and living a life that
is larger than herself. She acts as a model or Mentor for others, and
her credo is ‘do as I do’, or leading by example. She acts as a guide
for others and empowers others. “The responsibility of the guide is not
to give answers but to raise questions, suggest directions, and offer
support” (Bolman & Deal, 2001, p. 177).
Once her vision is
created, the Leader must find ways to grow into the vision and act out
of this vision. This means putting it into practice and creating a life
that serves as a living example of her ideals. She must live out of the
highest ethics and virtues and be a model and a force in her own sphere
of resonance. The Spiritual Leader is a moral and ethical Visionary,
and she must examine her own stance and be radically honest with
herself. She must be willing to elevate honesty and integrity in her
own life. Through her vulnerability and willingness to risk, she
ennobles others to do the same. “Leading is giving….Leadership is an
ethic, a gift of oneself to a common cause, a higher calling” (Bolman &
Deal, 2001, p. 106).
Leadership is a
relationship that is rooted in community. The Spiritual Leader is a
community leader and a holder of the community’s traditions. Her
function is to be a vessel or an embodiment of the beliefs that reflect
the community’s highest values. Spiritual Leaders define the character
of society and embrace a viewpoint of possibilities. They use their
charisma to inspire and influence others. They model presence by the
way they act, speak, think, and do. Every time the leader walks out the
front door, she carries her values and vision with her, and she
interacts with the world through her state of consciousness. She
enlists support and assistance of others by appealing to their values,
interests, and desires, and she fosters collaboration by promoting
cooperative goals, building trust, and giving power away. She models
the way by being clear about her own guiding principles and following
them. In this way, she sets an example by behaving in ways that are
consistent with her values (Kouzes & Posner, 1995).
Spiritual Leadership is
not about hierarchy or power – it is about empowerment and resonance and
connection with other like-minded individuals to help uplift the world
toward enlightenment. The Spiritual Leader empowers others through
compassion and care, and she supports and ennobles others to step out of
their comfort zone and join her in manifesting the vision. Spiritual
Leaders seek the enlightened state of awareness. They act as globes of
energy on the surface of this planet, each in his or her space,
manifesting peace, harmony, compassion, and joy. The effective Leader
is genuine and acts as a midwife in that she trusts and facilitates
others. She is open to what emerges, stays centered and grounded, and
follows her inner wisdom. She leads as a strong Warrior, yet is soft
and fluid as a Healer. She has wisdom of self and is secure enough to
let go and let the process unfold (Heider, 1985).
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