Biblical Phronesis Podcast

Preamble There are two biblical metaphors used to illustrate godly leadership by our Lord Jesus Christ. One is a servant, and the other is a shepherd. Both metaphors reveal the motive for leading. The motive question is central to leading like Jesus. The central question for the episode is ‘What does servant leadership look like and how would you know a servant leader when you see one?’ Everyone s...

Preamble If we are to become leaders who completely serve as Jesus Christ intended, we must consistently ask what ‘being leaders’ is about today in the Christian fold where monumental failures are the norm instead of the exception. The central question for the season is ‘how does being leaders engender the nature of authentic Christian leadership?’ The season will unpack answers to this central qu...

Preamble Why pay attention to personality? We need to pay attention to it as it influences character, which is foundational in terms of who we are. The central question for the episode is ‘who are the leaders with the distinct (godly) personalities that leaders can emulate?’ Jeremiah, Paul and our Lord Jesus Christ have distinct personalities. Their character helped them overcome difficult people...

Preamble CANOE – Conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness to experience and extraversion – have implications for leadership deployment, training, and development’. The central question for the episode is ‘what are the administrative (service) uses of personality traits for leaders?’ Observing the personality traits of individuals will enhance administration or service in the mission...

Preamble Neurotic leaders are often nervous, worried, emotional, vulnerable, anxious, and hostile. They have ‘low self-esteem’ and ‘low self-efficacy’. The central question for the episode is ‘how does neuroticism predict authentic leadership?’ Number 1 failing of a neurotic leader is that they fear people instead of God. Number 2 failing of a neurotic leader is the refusal to obey divine instruct...

Preamble Leaders low on openness to experience are conservative, narrow-minded and incompetent. They are closed to experience and struggle to see, plan and executive a vision to followers' admiration. The central question for the episode is ‘how does low openness to experience predict authentic leadership?’ Closed to experience always stop leaders from learning, growing, and improving. Leader...

Preamble Leaders high on openness to experience are original, knowledgeable and competent. They are transparent and readers that use their talent for Godly service. The central question for the episode is ‘how does high openness to experience predict authentic leadership?’ High openness to experience enriches authentic leadership. Leaders high on openness to experience cultivate intellectual curio...

Leaders low on conscientiousness are not transparent and have ‘problems with rules’. They view rules and policies as restricting and limiting their interest. The central question for the episode is ‘how do low conscientiousness personality traits predict authentic leadership?’ Leaders that have problems with rules are often low on good conscience. Leaders low on good conscience will often hurt the...

Preamble Leaders high on conscientiousness are meticulous, careful, and reliable. They honour transactional commitments because of their integrity. The central question for the episode is ‘how do high conscientiousness personality traits predict authentic leadership?’ A good conscience is positively related to authentic leadership. Leaders with a good conscience are self-aware and self-regulated....

Preamble Leaders low on agreeableness are distrusting and not accepting of others. They are unkind and cold. The central question for the episode is ‘how do low agreeableness personality traits predict authentic leadership?’ Low agreeableness in leaders hinders the imitation of Jesus’ kind of influence. Followers of leaders low in agreeableness see them as inconsiderate. Leaders low on agreeablene...

Preamble Leaders high on agreeableness are trusting, nurturing, and accepting of others. They are kind, gentle, honest, and warm leaders. The central question for the episode is ‘how do high agreeableness personality traits predict authentic leadership?’ Agreeableness helps leaders model Jesus’ kind of influence. Followers of leaders high in agreeableness see them as honest. Leaders high on agreea...

Preamble Leaders low on extraversion shun social attention. They are introverts that engage in reading and writing as opposed to seeking attention and excitement. The central question for the episode is ‘how do low extraversion personality traits predict authentic leadership?’ Low extraversion (introversion) make leaders less sociable but careful and methodical. Introversion in leaders positively...

Preamble Extraversion is the tendency to be sociable, assertive, and energetic. Leaders high on extraversion draw strength and encouragement from others to make a positive impact. The central question for the episode is ‘how do high extraversion personality traits predict authentic leadership?’ High extraversion that is underpinned by self-control is positively related to authentic Christian leade...

Biblical Phronesis | BPS2 E1 Personality Traits in Leadership  Preamble Within the context of the church, Season 2 of Biblical Phronesis shall examine how the Big 5 personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, consciousness, openness to experience and neuroticism) link up with authentic leadership. The central question for the season is ‘how do personality traits predict authentic leadership s...

Preamble Many ordained church ministers are unsure if they are leaders. They sense that their calling is to be a Pastor or an Evangelist but are not sure how such roles tie up with being a leader. However, in a rapidly changing world, leadership is vital in helping the church move ahead. The Church needs godly servant leaders; godly servant leaders need the Church. Questions What characteristics f...

Preamble Every organisation rises and falls on leadership. Stagnation, failure, disappointment, and other disorders within a team or an organisation are traceable to the values of those leading at a particular time. It is thus essential that leaders have the correct values – Godly values. Questions What are the impeccable values of authentic leaders? Authentic leaders have impeccable values, which...

Preamble Leaders seldom take the time to positively influence and earn the admiration of their followers. They always want to earn the approval of their superiors over whom they have no authority. Eye-service (or lip-service) becomes the order of the day with such leaders. That is why one must learn the practices of leading down in an organisation.   Questions How do we lead down (lead followers [...

Preamble Many leaders today engage in toxic rivalry with peers that do not glorify God. The intense rivalry comes from either inferiority or superiority complex. A feeling that I am ‘better than’ (pride & prejudice) is a negation of the intent of servant leadership. When such feelings are allowed to reign, it is difficult to evolve an authentic leadership style.   Questions: How do we lead acr...

Preamble: One that will be an authentic leader like Jesus must learn to lead self and others in one-on-one encounters, teams, and communities. Leading in varying roles require influencing superiors (leading up), peers (leading across) and subordinates (leading down). The problem is that not everyone in leadership roles is able to functionally lead up in organisations.   Questions: How do we lead s...

Preamble  Everyone aiming to lead like Jesus will face challenges. Christians aiming to be authentic leaders may rejections and persecutions made worse by intense rivalry due to either inferiority or superiority complex.   Questions: What are the common challenges faced by leaders in an organization? What can Christians do to overcome common leadership challenges? Authentic leaders must overcome c...

Preamble: Leaders lead up, across and down in an organization. It is misleading to shy away from leading simply because one is not occupying the top position in a Parish or an organization. Myths promote useless speculations that are destructive to the body of Christ. Questions: What are the myths believed by people far from the top of an organization? How do leaders overcome the myths believed by...

Preamble:  Leaders tend to either avoid conflict or go into it without a clear approach to realize a positive outcome. Conflicts lead to derailment of purpose and focus. Conflict leads to discouragement and makes a mockery of the Great Commission, which is to make disciples of all nations.   Questions: What helps leaders to navigate conflict? What prevent leaders from rushing to judgement? What pr...

Season 1 theme: Authentic Leadership Preamble:  Circumstances often blind us to the fact that challenges are usually not as big as we think. When we are low in being thankful for the work of God in our life, our followers are exposed to unwanted and undesirable leadership acts. Questions: What is the gateway to Grace in Leadership? How do we shift our focus away from challenges? How do leaders cul...

Season 1 theme: Authentic Leadership Preamble:  Grace, which is unmerited favour, is lacking in the decisions and actions of Christian leaders. When Grace is applied to people-to-people relationships, it is the practical expression of love to one another. This expression is becoming scarce in churches.  Questions: What are the tenets of Graceful Leadership? How does one become Graceful to self and...

Season 1 theme =  Authentic Leader Preamble: Leaders struggle to get the best from their teams. The led also fail to get blessed by their leaders. There is a misalignment of expectations between leaders and the led. Questions: What makes an authentic leader effective? How do authentic leaders bring out the best in people? What leadership style best suit authentic leaders? A godly moral compass mak...