Modern leadership theory contains elements of kenosis leadership. Advanced Change Theory (Quinn) and Servant Leadership Theory (Greenleaf) can be merged with the hymnic principles forming a model of leadership that resonates with contemporary leadership challenges. Advanced Change Theory understands the requirement that the leader must embody changes before requiring change from one’s followers. In the Incarnation, Christ first changed himself before asking others to follow in His way. Servant leadership establishes the well-being of the follow as primary – certainly the underlying motivation of “God . . . in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Cor. 5:19, NASB). However, kenosis leadership goes much deeper in its requirement for a leader to empty himself or herself. It is an emptying leading to a humility that is obedient to the point of death for one’s followers. The point of Kenosis leadership is that the leader will lay down his or her life in some fashion for those who follow. One discovers kenosis leadership embedded in the contextual purposes of the letter to Philippians and the function of the Christological hymn within the letter. My next post will begin to explore these contextual purposes and the function of the Kenosis Hymn.
What do you think?
What does it mean for a leader to lay down his or her life for one's followers?
How would an organization lay down its life for the well-being of its employees/members/stakeholders/customers/clients?
References
Greenleaf, Robert K. Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. 25th anniversary ed. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2002.
Quinn, Robert E. Change the World: How Ordinary People Can Accomplish Extraordinary Results. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000.
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