Style of Leadership (1)

CHAPTER 1

General Description

This paper focuses on the issues of the honesty of the individual and its importance in the church leadership. There are many traits or characteristics of a church leader and their characters show who they are. Characters is not only a superficial thing where a leader can pretend to work if needed anytime.

According to Gallup survey which was conducted from March 26-29, 2007 among 1,006 members of Gallup's nationally representative household panel, a majority give response that people need an honest leader especially when USA president election was conducted. There was 33% say they are looking for a president who is honest and straightforward otherwise traits of leadership such as integrity (10%), have good moral character (5%), be trustworthy (4%), and be honorable (4%).[1]

Some of the newest theory in leadership asserted a number of characteristics of effective leader. Prof Kouzner and Prof. Posner administered a questionnaire people to more than 75.000 people throughout the world asking what qualities in a leader would inspire them to follow willingly. There are four characteristics rose to the top, receiving more than 60% of the votes over time and across many cultures. Those four characteristics are: Firstly Honest. Honest leaders not only tell the truth, they also live using a set of ethical principles and clear standards. Secondly Forward-Looking. Good leaders have a vision for the organization, but they also connect that vision to others’ hopes and aspirations. When people share in a future vision, they are more likely to willingly follow a leader.  Thirdly Inspiring. Inspiring leaders share their excite­ment about future possibilities. This excitement is accompanied by a positive attitude.  Fourthly Competent. Competent individuals have a proven track record for getting things done. This gener­ates confidence in a leader.[2]

Honesty Defenition   

A term of honest usually means “truthful,” “free from duplicity,” “upright,” etc. The RSV uses the term to render several Hebrew and Greek more or less synonymous expressions. In the KJV the term appears in the archaic sense of “honorable,” “respectable,” and “worthy of esteem.” Thus the Gr. kalos (“good,” “blameless,” “excellent”) is rendered “honest” in Rom 12:17; 2 Cor 8:21; and 1 Pe 2:12 (RSV “noble,” “honorable,” “good,” respectively).[3]

According to Holman Bible Dictionary, honesty is fairness and straightforwardness of conduct.[4]  Additionally honesty or the quality of being honest, is virtue which belongs to the ethical genus justice.[5]

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[1]http://www.gallup.com/poll/27085/wanted-next-president-honesty-strong-leadership

[2]Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z.. The leadership challenge (4th ed.). San rancisco, CA: Jossey-Bass (2007).

[3]SDA Bible Commentary, Washington, D.C. (Review and Herald Publishing Association. 1979) p.505

[4]Butler Trent C., Holman Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, Tennessee: Holman Bible Publisher, 1991) p.664.

[5]Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics volume VI. (New York: Charles Scribber’s sons, 1974) p.768