A Changing Culture Warrants New Leadership Paradigms
I recently asked my daughters and sons-in-law (all millennials and Gen Z’s) what they would look for in a church and a pastor. Our family message thread was immediately flooded. These were their responses:
In a congregation:
- a small congregation where we could get involved quickly
- opportunities to grow and be mentored
- to know the pastor personally
- altar time
- a blend of the contemplative with the contemporary
In a pastor:
- a pastor who is humble
- loves Scripture
- supports THE church and not just their church brand
- loves people
- knows how to admit when they are wrong or need to improve
- transparency
- passion
- no celebrity pastor vibes
As I reviewed the above responses, most responses were speaking of a desire for inclusivity, humility, trust, deeper depths spiritually, and relationship. It wouldn’t be enough just to go to church and access the programs, but rather there is a hunger to be known and know their pastoral leadership.
Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein in their book “Humble Leadership” see a change needed across the leadership terrain due to the societal shift; a change that will reinforce the “soft stuff.” [1] Schein and Schein present three levels of leadership (actually four but they clearly show that minus 1 does not count as viable).
Level Minus 1: Total impersonal domination and coercion
Level 1: Transactional role and rule-based super-vision, service, and most
forms of “professional” helping relationships
Level 2: Personal cooperative, trusting relationships as in friendships and in
effective teams
Level 3: Emotionally intimate total mutual commitments[2]
Schein and Schein see the need for leaders and organizations to intentionally shift from a Level 1 type of leadership to a Level 2 type of leadership.”[3] As I consider my daughters and sons-in-law, I can see that they desire a Level 2 leadership style. And yet I wonder, shouldn’t it be that way anyway? In generations’ past, the pastor was often put on an unhealthy pedestal, which can often cause isolation and an unhealthy Savior complex. Furthermore, what worked in a different time period, is becoming less and less accepted. Culture is changing.
Schein and Schein ask the question: “Do leaders create cultures or do cultures create leaders?”[4] Though leaders shape culture, Schein and Schein surmise that culture “will always limit what defines leadership and what individual change agents will be allowed to get away with.”[5] Perhaps that is why there is a growing lower tolerance for leadership that is at a Level 1.
So what has changed in our societal culture? Jonathan Haidt in “The Anxious Generation” surmises how, due to the onslaught of the digital age and risk-free environments in just the last decade, society has a much harder time to think, focus, forget ourselves enough to care about others, and build close relationships.”[6] According to Jonathan Haidt, the culture has become an anxious culture, fearful of risk and exclusion.[7]
Other Voices
With these societal changes, new voices have come on the leadership scene over the last 25 years with a variety of slants on what is necessary.
- Brene Brown in Daring to Lead encourages empathy, kindness, the praising of learning, the setting of boundaries, hope, and leading from the heart.[8]
- Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder in Rare Leadership promote the need for trust, joy and engagement in the followers as well as the leader.[9]
- Edwin H. Friedman In A Failure of Nerve differs on his views but has some of the same underpinnings. He sees society as sabotaging leaders and desiring them to adapt to immaturity, driven by anxiety.[10] Friedman spoke more to how the leader manages his/her own presence by being a non-anxious leader.[11] I believe Friedman might agree with Schein and Schein regarding the need for humility but also add that the leader would need a strong and clear vision for what is needed: vulnerability and strength to lead in tough and complex situations.”[12]
- Simon Walker speaks of the power of self-emptying and surrender but does not see it as a model. It should be woven into whatever leadership style is necessary for the moment.[13]
No doubt the societal culture of this century is changing and thus the need for new leadership models. Before I close, I just want to add one thought. As I read about all the new leadership models it is interesting how many of the traits and soft skills that are desired are Scripturally mandated. Could it be that there is a growing ache to know the ways of God, even if society can’t articulate it.
“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4 (ESV)
[1] Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein, Humble Leadership: The Power of Relationships, Openness, and Trust (Oakland, CA: Berrett-Loehler Publishers, Inc., n.d.). 119.
[2] Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein. 3.
[3] Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein. x
[4] Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein. xii.
[5] Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein. xiii.
[6] Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (New York: Penguin Press, 2024). 17.
[7] Jonathan Haidt.
[8] Brene Brown, Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (New York: Random House, 2018). 76-77.
[9] Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder, Rare Leadership in the Workplace: 4 Uncommon Habits That Improve Focus, Engagement, and Productivity (Chicago, IL: Northfield Publishing, n.d.).
[10] Edwin H. Friedman, A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix (New York: SEABURY BOOKS, 2007). 2.
[11] Friedman. 4.
[12] Friedman.
[13] Simon P. Walker, Leading with Nothing to Lose: Training in the Excercise of Power (Carlisle, UK: Piquant Editions Ltd., n.d.).
About the Author
Esther Edwards
Esther has served in ministry leadership for over 35 years. She is an ordained minister, an ICF and CCLC certified coach, and licensed coach trainer. Her and her husband have launched their own coaching practice, Enjoy the Journey Leadership Coaching and seek to train ministry leaders in the powerful skill of coaching. Esther loves hiking, reading, and experiencing new coffee shops with friends and family. She enjoys the journey with her husband, Keith, their four daughters, sons-in-law, and their five beautiful grandchildren.13 responses to “A Changing Culture Warrants New Leadership Paradigms”
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Esther, I really loved your bringing in the other books. I’m seeing this convergence of so much of what we’ve learned in the program.
I too see this shifting reality in leadership among rising generations; it’s not just your kids, so many Millennials, Gen Z, and Alphas are hungry for humble, authentic leadership.
The challenge for me is manifesting that through a not-small church where I can’t personally know everyone and because of the size of the room and the media tools needed to help everyone participate, we might give off “celebrity” vibes.
But it’s a challege worth picking up. I can lead and shape my team to lead in such a way that some of these things that your kids (and others) are hungry for are true of us, too.
Any thoughts on how a church like ours (and a pastor like me) can best contextually express the Humble leadership that isn’t only culturally appreciated, but biblically faithful?
Jumping in this thread: Tim, your question makes me think about an observation that I heard Schein and Schein make on a video marking the initial release of their book. They observed that the Humble Leadership model is most successful when it starts from the top. So, translating this into your context, I wonder if you were to double-down on this model with your immediate team, and then set the expectation that your direct reports do the same for their teams….maybe that cascading approach would trickle down and impact the experience of those sitting in the pews?
When I talk about this cascading strategy with leaders, I am always brainstorming with them on how they can REINFORCE this change with their direct reports, because the behavior must be sustained over time, and reinforcement is your best bet at making the change stick. I imagine you have done versions of this in the past, though, so I would love to hear what did/did not work.
Tim,
I will do my best to answer your question, We have pastored large and small churches, so our girls have experienced both and were shaped and formed by both. The daughter who wrote the phrase about a small church attended Bridgetowne in Portland (not a small church) for a year and a half and felt very known because of their incredible life group system. She did have a harder time becoming involved (and she is a fabulous violinist, hence her Masters’ research on the state of music in the church).
However, yes. Across the board there is such a growing desire for a different type of presence and greater authenticity within the church.
Some thoughts are that we will all need more leadership development regarding soft skills, coach training (actually developing listening skills) and trauma training moving forward. Another thought would be to have spaces where people can take time to contemplate. My take on this is that anxiety needs a peaceful space so it can be deconstructed.
A practical example – We started having mini prayer retreats (4 hours) in our discipleship pathway and also in other ministries where we practiced silence, listening, and praying prophetically over each other. This was very different for a pentecostal church. But it was amazing how clearly the participants heard God’s voice and how much they loved the peace it brought. It was in these kind of spaces that people became extremely transparent with each other.
I asked my husband what he would recommend having been a pastor of a larger church. Here are some of his thoughts:
1. Maxwell once said, “just walk slowly through the
crowd.” You will never talk to all, but you are
showing that you are approachable.
2. I think of Billy Graham. There was a
genuineness to his presence. The heart of those
who lead is of most importance. Live humbly
while not being watched.
3. Do for a few what you wish you could do for all.
My last thought is to keep being who you are and keep listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit (he has this humble thing down). Your church is blessed to have you as their pastor. So sorry this is so long.
What a fun group chat! I loved seeing the responses of your Gen Z tribe! I think that your last comment about our longing for relational leadership reflects a societal longing for Christ is sophisticated and spot on.
Thanks, Jen,
Yes. With 10 of us in the mix, the family chat is quite fun and keeps us connected.
Hi Esther, You describe a great and worthy use of our devices and smart phones when posing a question to your family like that. I loved their answers! Community and connection are big words in my church and those of my kid’s churches as well. I’m wondering how humility works to make that possible regardless of what size a church is.
You wrote, “In generations’ past, the pastor was often put on an unhealthy pedestal, which can often cause isolation and an unhealthy Savior complex.” I wonder if one act of humility that makes change possible isn’t coming along side others rather than standing above. It takes humility for both the leader and the follower to stand side-by side. I hope I’m making sense…my jetlag is pretty bad. But followers/congregants seem to play a significant role in this as well. Genuine humility, which I do think is characterized by curiosity, compassion, and generous listening is necessary all around. I’m grateful we had a book that discusses this subtle but powerful characteristic of leadership.
Jenny,
It does take both the pastor and the congregants to ward off the unhealthy Savior complex. We have been blessed to always have a few in our churches who came alongside us no matter what happened and had our back. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
Rest well. It probably takes a good week to get over your jetlag.
Hi Esther I loved your post.
However.
Level Minus 1: Total impersonal domination and coercion is still working….
China – Xi Jinping
Russia – Vladimir Putin
North Korea – Kim Jong Un
Iran – Ali Hosseini Khamenei
USA – Former President Donald Trump
These Level minus 1 leaders may take us into WWIII, or not, but Level Minus 1 leaders, the autocrats, are a force that we will have to contend with on the global stage.
The global collaborative agency, the United Nations, has become ineffective. Time for a new one?
My point.
In the U.S., the societal shift does warrant a double take at humble team leadership in order to be more effective. Go collaboration!
But it is a first world freedom ONLY.
Shalom
Russell,
Your list of minus-1 leaders truly shows how prevalent this type of leadership still is though I do believe the upcoming generations are tired of the domination. Perhaps their lack of tolerance will change the leadership tone in coming years. However, on the other hand, will the present sweep of anxiety prevent the next generations form being strong enough to be self-differentiated when it is needed as Friedman mentions? No doubt, we need to continue praying for world leaders.
Thank you for sharing your family message thread! One of the character traits you highlighted in what your family looked for in a pastor was “no celebrity pastor vibes.” I do think the next Generation sees this or can smell it and identify it more quickly than previous generations (I wonder if my own Gen X generation was still grappling with this phenomenon and not able to name it as quickly as social media platforms unfolded and were creating what Haidt wrote about in the Anxious Generation). Question — do you think that Gen Z (or later, Gen Alpha) is more inclined to level 1 ways of relating (transactional), as an overcompensation for the previous generation’s unhealthy leadership pitfalls, or do you think they will be more tempted with level 3?
Travis,
That is a tough question. I would say perhaps a #3 since there is such a desire for authenticity and safety. Authenticity does create more intimate bonds. However, are intimate bonds healthy in organizational settings? Schein & Schein do not think so. As I mentioned in my response to Russell, I wonder if the monumental rise in anxiety and the need for acceptance and emotional coddling will keep the upcoming generations from being the needed self-differentiated, humble leaders society longs for..
Great post Esther. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that. I love the lists that showed up from your kids concerning churches and pastors. It reminded me of a passage in The Rule of St. Benedict that Dr. Percy recommended. One section encouraged monks to always invite the young people, sometimes they have the best ideas. I mentioned in DC about us working with our student leaders, we did that today actually after service, and they do have some of the best ideas and insights, (not always lol) but they surprise me! Thanks for your posts!
Good for you! I imagine you are a well-respected and loved pastor. By the way, I haven’t forgotten about you. Do you have a date in mind for when you’d like to come to DC?