I am writing this before we know the results of the American election and it has brought to mind a discussion I attended on leadership and social change. In the talk, three types of leadership were identified: heroic, managerial and social change leadership.
Heroic leaders are what all political leaders and pundits seem to like. It is often characterised by a charismatic leader, who is clear, directive, sets personal goals and goes towards them. The achievements of the first one hundred days in office are identified with this type of leadership as are the betrayal of close followers and personal rather than a people centred agenda. It also proves fairly ineffectual in delivering long term social change. Heroic leadership is rare but that is often what we crave.
The second type of leadership is managerial leadership and this seems to me to be the most common, both in church and society. We know it well and also are familiar with what constitutes good managerial leadership as well as its limitations, which is often around maintaining the status quo.
The third kind is the “social change” type of leader. Here the leader commits themselves to a people and a long term goal which often involves personal sacrifices. They lead by example and integrity. Real social change can be produced by this type of leader. We know people who fit into this category. A lot of the saints fit here. Mother Theresa would be an obvious candidate as would Francis of Assisi and more recently Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the hospice movement. I am sure you can think of many others. The real example though is Jesus of Nazareth. He embodies good leadership, born in vulnerability, he gave himself to and for the world and has continued to bring social change and the betterment of all people. More than this his leadership has endured for two thousand years and He still the person that I and millions of others put our trust in and follow. Christ to me seems a far more certain hope than any political leader.
I do hope you will find some confidence and hope in this Christmas season and join us in our celebrations.
On behalf of us all at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Hambledon, I would like to wish you a very happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
Robin