Reflections on Transpersonal Leadership
“Leaders need to have complex cognitive structures so that they can adapt to, accommodate, and transcend challenging circumstances. On the one hand, they need strong egos to tolerate the tension of standing alone and not being easily overwhelmed. On the other, they need to be sensitive to their inner drives and ego defenses and be able to not let these absorb their energies or distract them from the work at hand.” [1]
As I consider this statement written by author Annabel Beerel in the book Rethinking Leadership various situations come to mind, from my workplace, where complex cognitive structures have been developed with time, transforming my self-awareness, conscious and unconscious reactions to situations. In the book, Spellbound, Dr. Daniel Lieberman discusses the ability of the unconscious to exert a surprising amount of control over our behavior, noting that not everything that comes from the conscious is good, but it’s wonderful when the goals of the unconscious align with those of the ego. [2] Near the beginning of the book, Lieberman, points out different areas of the brain, their function and their cooperation with one another. For example, he notes that the prefrontal cortex is larger in humans than in any other animal. The prefrontal cortex plays an important role in planning long-term goals, making decisions, and keeping social behavior within acceptable limits. Cognitive functioning is complex and is developed through a variety of means including hardship. I appreciate the words from Hebrews 12:7-11,
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their fathers? If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
One particular situation that comes to mind, hot off the “______” (not sure what. . . press?) is the recent onboarding of a new staff member. I recently interviewed and the district hired a Reading Specialist to support our students needing Tier 2 Reading Intervention support within our M.T.S.S. model. A multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) is a proactive and preventative framework that integrates data and instruction to maximize student achievement and support students social, emotional, and behavioral needs from an assets-based or strengths-based perspective. Onboarding a new staff member is an ongoing process that requires time, coaching, encouragement, resourcing, and attentive consideration of the individual’s understanding and competency level. AND I LOVE IT!!!!! However, any leader knows the glory and struggle of onboarding new staff, coupled with the internal desire to keep the “piles” away (maybe that’s just me) and get it all done in a timely manner. The transpersonal moment in my leadership for me is when Holy Spirit helps me set my agenda aside, replacing my “what’s in it for me” motivations and replaces those thoughts with “what’s in it for the kingdom” mindset.
I was intrigued by Dr. Beerel’s chapter on Transpersonal Leadership. She defines transpersonal leadership as a type of leadership that focuses on the ability to transcend the ego and thus lead with greater insight and wisdom by not being held hostage to the ego’s needs and defenses. [3] Beerel identifies several layers of awareness, from the highest level being total awareness to attention-awareness to the subliminal and unconscious levels, with consciousness being one of the levels. Most adults naturally and healthily aspire to pursue alternative self-experiences as they navigate the journey toward greater personal integration and growth, facilitating the expansion of their identity. This pursuit develops, matures, and transforms into a more relational, greater awareness and appreciation for the totality of life, as well as fostering wisdom and an expanded consciousness. [4] Lieberman states, “seeing the world through the eyes of our hidden fellow travelers (referring to our ego, conscious/unconscious) is an essential step in attaining our full human potential, but it is not for the faint of heart. [5]
As I read further with the chapter, I couldn’t help but affirm that becoming a transpersonal Christian leader requires an intentional, conscious, and active commitment to develop one’s awareness, but not just their awareness of the self, but their awareness of the One and the One’s presence within. As Jules Glanzer put it in the book, The Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence, “Mission, vision, and values for Kingdom-seeking, God-honoring, biblically-rooted leadership involves clarifying the mission, identifying a preferred future that comes from hearing the Voice of One and having the courage to take the action the Voice is calling you to take.” [6] Even in the process of discerning the voice and reactions of the ego and unconscious in any given situation in the workplace, leaders must decide whose voice to listen to. According to Beerel, meditation is frequently characterized as the royal road to transpersonal experiences, given its ability to enhance our capacity for these states beyond the personal self. [7] I would add that not only meditation, but prayer, spiritual disciplines, silence & solitude, creativity/recreation, Sabbath, and other spiritual practices are all a part of becoming transpersonal and realizing the full self made in the Image of God.
[1] Annabel Beerel, Rethinking Leadership, 1st edition (London; New York: Routledge, 2021), 232.
[2] Daniel Lieberman, Spell Bound: Modern Science, Ancient Magic, and the Hidden Potential of the Unconscious Mind (Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, 2022), 16.
[3] Beerel, 232.
[4] Ibid, 232.
[5] Lieberman, 16.
[6] Jules Glanzer, The Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence (Jules Glanzer: 2023), 24.
[7] Beerel, 236.
About the Author
Cathy Glei
Cathy Glei brings more than 25 years of experience in teaching, leading and coaching. She currently is an Instructional Coach and loves to support individuals in discovering who God has made them to be, both professionally and personally. She has led a variety of professional development opportunities, trainings and workshops both in the fields of education and ministry. Cathy desires to support individuals in discovering the Creator's design and image within. Cathy and her husband, Steve, live in Michigan with their seven year old Springer, Otis. They have three adult daughters and two son-in-laws. Together, they enjoy the company of friends (both old and new) in their home, as well as cycling, camping, backpacking and hiking. They can be found hiking and enjoying the outdoors with Otis right alongside them.7 responses to “Reflections on Transpersonal Leadership”
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Cathy, I just returned from conference with our denomination where the topic of people-development came up. It came up as the MAIN thing a particular presbytery in our denomination wants to focus on, even as their larger goal is to plant churches. How they on-board and care for their planters and their families is a big part of where they want to focus (a leader in their presbytery is also working on his doctorate and is focused on well-differentiated leaders and healthy presbyteries). You talked about on-boarding a new employee and the time and energy required to do so. For others who on-board new employees (or in other cases, new pastors and church planters), what have you noticed about the process when the spiritual practices that you ended your post with seem to be missing / lacking…Are then any common themes that seem to emerge for either the one doing the on-boarding or the new employee?
Thank you for the question. I can’t speak for other church leaders, but I know that regardless of whether I get all of the practices right or not, God loves me and engages with me. I just wanted to put that out there because He pursues me, my faith isn’t all me, but His presence in me that works through me. If that makes sense? However, there are spiritual rhythms/practices that I feel are important for growing to love God and love others more wholeheartedly. Scripture reading. . . when I read His words I know Him better and He speaks to me. This gives great peace and comfort in times when as a leader, I have hard decisions to tackle or people to have difficult conversations with. So where there could be anxiety and worry, He offers peace and courage through His words and story.
When I neglect to thank God for who He is, His provision, etc., my heart might entertain discontent and discouragement. Worship and praise counteracts this and refocuses my heart on the goodness of God illuminating what He has done. For pastors (like my husband and myself) and church planters, practicing hospitality through community could be a source of accountability, encouragement, etc. Just a few off the top of my head. . .Thanks again for inquiring!
This statement (of yours, btw) is pure gold:
“As I read further with the chapter, I couldn’t help but affirm that becoming a transpersonal Christian leader requires an intentional, conscious, and active commitment to develop one’s awareness, but not just their awareness of the self, but their awareness of the One and the One’s presence within.”
To this end, we must be ever-mindful of our EGO. Could I put it this way: we must leggo our ego?!?
And in doing so, we forge space for a greater awareness of ‘the ONE.”
So good, Cathy. Thank you.
Thanks John! Yes, Leggo my Ego!!! Love it!!!
Hi Cathy,
I related to Beerel’s chapter on transpersonal leadership as well. Along with John I really appreciated your statement, “…becoming a transpersonal Christian leader requires an intentional, conscious, and active commitment to develop one’s awareness, but not just their awareness of the self, but their awareness of the One and the One’s presence within.” I love that you named the spiritual practices that help us do that, “…prayer, spiritual disciplines, silence & solitude, creativity/recreation, Sabbath, and other spiritual practices are all a part of becoming transpersonal and realizing the full self made in the Image of God. Considering the context that Beerel’s book was written during the pandemic, were there shift or changes in your spiritual practices during that challenging time? Were there practices that deepened your awareness of God?
Yes!!! During COVID, with the encouragement of my spiritual director, and Spirit’s moving, I spent time praying the Examen and having more time for the Daily Office with God.
So Cathy, what does creativity look like for you? In what ways has going through this doctorate transformed you or surprised you?