I must admit: I hate country music. I dislike the sound and find the lyrics sappy and sad. I grew up on Led Zeppelin and Bruce Springsteen. However, I gained much respect for country icon Dolly Parton this last week. She received a nomination for induction into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and declined it. She stated she is not yet worthy because she has not released a rock album and does not want to split the votes for the other nominees. I dabble on Twitter, and that platform is often a brutal gauntlet of rants, criticisms, and judgments. The fall of recent prominent Christian leaders led to a tirade of \u201cthey\u2019re all hypocrites,\u201d \u201creligion is a scam,\u201d and more commentary not fit for a blog post. The Twitter response to Dolly\u2019s declining the nomination received the opposite reaction: \u201cDolly Parton is beyond worthy,\u201d \u201cSomeone invent an award this generous soul will accept!\u201d and \u201cWow, she\u2019s the real deal.\u201d What does that have to do with leadership? That last comment expresses a leadership characteristic needed in the ministry realm and defined by author and university professor Peter Northouse.<\/p>\n
Targeting a broad audience, Leadership: Theory and Practice <\/em>details different leadership models. Northouse defines leadership as \u201ca process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.\u201d[1]<\/a> He follows that definition by explaining leadership as a \u201ctransactional event\u201d between a leader and followers. This understanding of leadership makes it accessible to all, not just those with a leadership position. He includes a practical understanding of each leadership theory, giving real-life examples of that trait in action. It is little wonder why this book has widespread use in undergraduate and graduate studies since it incorporates and connects the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership.<\/p>\n Leadership <\/em>contains three main sections. First comes a general introduction to leadership including a definition of terms. Second, Northouse examines twelve different \u201capproaches\u201d to leadership. Each of these chapters begins with a detailed explanation of a specific approach followed by evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. Application and examples clarify the understanding of the practice. Third, he delves into contemporary issues in leadership, including women leading, culture, and leadership ethics.<\/p>\n Each of the approaches to leadership possesses validity and finds function in various contexts. The diversity of types of leadership style argue for an understanding of leadership of the results, not the presenting type. One could argue that no hard lines exist between the different types as one approach can blend with another. In Luke 7:35, Jesus says, \u201cYet wisdom is justified by all her children.\u201d (ESV) That saying points to the future impact as the proof of wisdom. Similarly, Northouse appears to argue, \u201cLeadership is proven by its results.\u201d Leadership is not a trait, style, or mannerism but influences others toward a shared goal. \u201cInfluence is the sine qua non of leadership. Without influence, leadership does not exist.\u201d[2]<\/a> More than ever, influence must be present, primarily through the context of relationship. Emerging generations seek a \u201cGuide by the Side\u201d rather than a \u201cSage on the Stage.\u201d[3]<\/a><\/p>\n What does this have to do with Dolly Parton? One chapter, titled \u201cAuthentic Leadership,\u201d intrigued me. I had never heard that title ascribed to leadership before. While I believe the word authentic has lost most of its meaning due to overuse and misuse, this chapter explained the power of \u201cself-awareness, an internalized moral perspective, balanced processing, and relational transparency.\u201d[4]<\/a> Northouse references recent lapses in public and private leadership, leading to a growing distrust. \u201cAuthentic leadership helps to fill a void and provides an answer to people who are searching for good and sound leadership in an uncertain world.\u201d[5]<\/a> How much more pressing is the need in the uncertainty of this day?<\/p>\n As a part of my NPO, I interviewed three ministry leaders who varied greatly in age and experience. Each of the three expressed the need for character in those they sought to add to their staffing. Each tire of the moral and ethical failures from a lack of character. When I began to hire people, I used the three \u201cC\u2019s\u201d that I learned from some source I do not remember. Those \u201cC\u2019s\u201d are competence, character, and chemistry. The way they are listed is the value I placed on them. Today, quite a few years and experiences later, my order is reversed. I have learned that you can teach competence, but you cannot teach character or chemistry. Dolly Parton recently exhibited character to the respect of many. Northouse states about the newness of this leadership approach, \u201cAuthenticity is important and valuable to good leadership, but how authenticity relates to effective leadership is unknown.\u201d[6]<\/a> The impact of authenticity on leadership in ministry is known, as is its absence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Peter G. Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice<\/em> 6th<\/sup> ed. (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2013), 5.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Jared Keengwe and David Georgina, \u201cSupporting Digital Natives to Learn Effectively with Technology Tools,\u201d International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education <\/em>9, no. 1 (January-March 2013): 53, accessed March 14, 2022. https:\/\/go-gale-com.georgefox.idm.oclc.org\/ps\/retrieve.do?tabID=T002&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=1&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm¤tPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CA367420377&docType=Report&sort=RELEVANCE&contentSegment=ZAHM&prodId=PPIS&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CA367420377&searchId=R3&userGroupName=newb64238&inPS=true<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Northouse, Leadership,<\/em> 267.<\/p>\n