The Finest Hour for Transpersonal Leadership
“To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fit for their talents…” – Winston Churchill, the Finest Hour speech, August 20, 1940
Several years ago, I had the chance to visit the Churchill War Room in London. The museum houses the underground bunker where Winston Churchill and his cabinet directed Britain’s military during World War II. It is a remarkable preservation, especially the Map Room, where one can almost still smell the stench of burning cigars and freshly poured whisky and can hear fists pounding on tables as strategies were hammered out over paper maps with push pins and thread lines marking military passages and battle points.
The years following World War II were fertile ground for reflections on leadership, especially when it came to popular figures like Churchill. Supporters and critics alike scrutinized his intellect, wartime decisions, public speaking skills, and determination, debating his impact on the world. In the 1970s, author James MacGregor Burns developed the theory of transformational leadership[1] as a direct response to Churchill’s innate ability to rally people together behind an inspirational vision for the greater good of the nation. Three leadership qualities were frequently attributed to him, including a “Deep sense of purpose, integrity, and a fair dose of humility, especially when he gave credit to others for outcomes.”[2]
In the following years, many researchers pursued new insights into the rapidly growing field of leadership, including efforts to combine and define what it meant to be transactional, charismatic, collaborative, and more. In the 1980s and more recent decades, leadership studies became popular in American universities as a multidisciplinary topic that fit nicely into liberal arts degree programs. In Rethinking Leadership, author Annabel Beerel recaps well-known theories and qualities while bringing new insights into this field of study that continues to evolve.
My blog will focus on transpersonal leadership, the human ability to transcend ego-driven approaches and lead others from a higher consciousness.[3] It will also explore how it relates to individual purpose, integrity, and humility.
Defining Transpersonal Leadership
Transpersonal leadership is about cultivating individual and collective growth. It stresses an approach where leaders combine their spiritual awareness into their decisions, embodying values like compassion, empathy, and integrity. In his book Seat of the Soul, author Gary Zukav says, “As you grow aware of your spiritual self and origin, you close the gap between the personality and the soul. You begin to experience authentic power.”[4] Beerel agrees that leaders should act from a place of self-awareness, helping others grow spiritually while creating safe environments that foster collaboration, healthy relationships, and healing.
Leadership is to Rise Above Ego
Annabel Beerel and Gary Zukav believe that effective leadership requires a leader to rise above his or her ego to focus on the greater good. Zukav believes that fear resides underneath an inflated ego, which is revealed by the need for external validation and sometimes personally beneficial policies. For transpersonal leadership to occur, the leader must first adopt a posture of humility and compassion for others.
The Book of Jeremiah says that leaders are to serve a higher calling, guiding people with humility over pride and self-interest. It goes on to stress the importance of remaining grounded and self-aware, especially in the context of spiritual growth and service to others.[5]
Mike Pence: A Modern Example
“The Bible tells us that the highest among us must be the servant of all. And I believe that in every leadership position, that’s the calling—to serve others, not to be served” – Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence[6]
Throughout his public service career as a Governor and, most recently, former U.S. Vice President, Mike Pence routinely demonstrated transpersonal leadership, deeply rooted in his Christian faith. He led with humility, integrity, and service to others as a primary focus, aligning any decision he had to make with ethical principles.[7] He rose above his ego, which might have otherwise drawn him to seek power for personal gain – a trait that woos and later snarls many politicians. Pence’s leadership style models the soul-centered transpersonal leadership that Beerel and Zukav discuss in their respective books.
Conclusion
Transpersonal leadership incorporates the practice of humility, self-awareness, and compassion. Leaders must cultivate environments that see people holistically, allowing them to grow spiritually and embrace that all things are connected. Transpersonal leadership also requires a shift from self-serving decision-making to choices above one’s ego. It should reflect a greater understanding of spiritual principles, compassion, and a genuine desire for the greater good.
[1] Burns, James MacGregor. Transforming Leadership: A New Pursuit of Happiness. New York: Grove, 2003.
[2] Gilbert, Martin. Churchill: A Life. First American edition. First Holt paperbacks edition. New York: Holt, 2014.
[3] Beerel, Annabel C. Rethinking Leadership: A Critique of Contemporary Theories. 1 Edition. London; New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2021.
[4] Zukav, Gary. The Seat of the Soul: 25th Anniversary Edition. Gary Zukav. First Simon&Schuster trade paperback edition. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2014. P.124.
[5] “Bible Gateway Passage: Jeremiah 9 – New International Version.” Bible Gateway. Accessed January 19, 2025. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%209&version=NIV.
[6] https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/why-mike-pence-is-the-most-important-man-in-america
[7] Pence, Mike. So Help Me God. First Simon&Schuster hardcover edition. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2022.
About the Author
Jennifer Eckert
Fundraising director, people connector, believer in second chances, fights poverty, supports justice reform, lives a life integrated with Matthew 25.9 responses to “The Finest Hour for Transpersonal Leadership”
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Hi Jennifer, Your reference to Churchill was a graphic reminder that sometimes the decisions of leaders have high stakes for the welfare of those led. This leads to the importance of the rest of your post for the leader to be grounded in their purpose, integrity, humility, and pulling from furthing into your post, faith. From getting to know you over these last semesters, you have said that the prison ministry impacts you as much as the women, yet, I think that is because of your perspective as a leader among them. In the context of the prison ministry do you have a sense of what is at stake for the women you meet with?
Thank you, Diane. For many of the women I encounter in prison, their time represents a critical intersection where the decisions they make and the opportunities they take have the potential to impact their future significantly.
What’s at stake is finding a sense of purpose, healing from past trauma, and reclaiming their dignity. Many of them struggle with issues of self-worth, identity, and regret, and the choices they make now will likely affect their relationships, mental health, and their ability to re-enter society successfully.
My role is not to tell them what to do but to help guide them in discovering their potential and reconnecting with their faith.
Thanks for this analysis Jennifer. Where do you see elements of transpersonal leadership in your own life and context?
In my own life and in the context of my work, I see transpersonal leadership in several ways. First, through my role in the prison ministry, I’ve found that the act of leadership is not just about directing or guiding others—it’s about creating a space where individuals can rediscover their own strengths and values. When I meet with the women, I try to lead in a way that acknowledges their potential for transformation, offering support and encouragement without imposing my own vision for their lives. It’s about helping them reconnect with their deeper sense of self and their faith, which I believe are essential for long-term healing and growth.
Also, transpersonal leadership appears in my interactions with friends, family, and colleagues. I make a conscious effort to approach each relationship with mindfulness, empathy, and a sense of shared purpose. It’s not just about accomplishing tasks or achieving goals—it’s about supporting each other in the journey (much like with school), creating a space for collaboration, and honoring each person’s unique perspective and contributions.
Hi Jennifer, how does transpersonal leadership differ from traditional ego-driven leadership approaches?
Traditional leadership is typically about exerting power and achieving personal success, while transpersonal leadership transcends beyond personal desires and wishes. It focuses on elevating others to create a collective vision to lead with purpose and authenticity that serves the individual and the larger community or organization.
Hi Jennifer,
Churchill is one of my heroes. I agree that the war room museum is truly astounding! Thank you for writing about transpersonal leadership and how it incorporates using one’s spiritual awareness for decision making. Can you compare your capacity for spiritual awareness in decision making pre and post following Jesus?
Thank you so much, Julie. What a great question. Before I began following Jesus, my decisions were influenced by my ambition, logic, and external circumstances. I would weigh options based on what seemed most practical at the time.
After I began following Jesus, my perspective shifted. Rather than relying solely on my understanding, I began seeking guidance through prayer and scriptures. Today, I try to make decisions through the lens of Jesus’ teachings that incorporate compassion, humility, and integrity. I’m not always successful, and sometimes, I still make bad choices out of fear or ego, but I am far more aware of how my choices impact others around me.
Jennifer, thank you for your article. In competitive and high-stakes environments, like politics or the corporate world, leaders often face pressure to assert dominance and prioritize personal or organizational success over collective well-being. What practical ways would you suggest leaders can practically balance the demands of power and competition while embodying the principles of transpersonal leadership?