Leading from the Heart: Lessons from Christian Leadership

Abstract

This chapter examines the key principles of Christian leadership and how this type of leadership has important lessons in regard to leading from the heart. The chapter first provides an overview of leadership as a historical and prominent phenomenon. Subsequently, an outline is provided of key leadership theories, including trait theory, behavioral theory, contingency and contemporary theories, strategic and supervisory theories, and upper echelon theory; new leadership theories, such as charismatic, transformational, and visionary leadership; and emergent leadership theories, which explore behavioral and cognitive complexity as well as social intelligence. The chapter then focuses on leading from the heart, which involves the choice to be a servant leader. An important aspect discussed therein is Christian leadership as part of religious leadership and based on belief in and reverence for God or a deity. Christian leaders are engaged leaders who are future-focused individuals who lead from the heart.