What Does a New Leadership Paradigm Look Like?

Unless you have been hiding in a bunker, you realize that the challenge of leading an effective organization--whether it is a business, a not-for-profit, or a church--is a daunting task. Much of my coaching ministry with clergy leaders deals with people issues--working with staff colleagues, interacting with lay leaders, relating to church participants, or dealing with community leaders. Many of the old ways of leading no longer work. We must find new ways to lead.

A pathfinder in this task is Steve Piersanti, former CEO of Berrett-Koehler Publishers (he continues with the organization in an editorial role). Steve led his organization to practice what they preach or, rather, publish. B-K Publishers is the source of leadership books by authors like Mark Miller, Ken Blanchard, Bob Johansen, and many others. Under Steve’s leadership, the company followed principles presented in the books they publish and identified what they called a “New Leadership Paradigm.”

A couple of years ago, Steve shared a chart that showed the contrast between the traditional “command and control” system and a new leadership paradigm. Some of the principles of this approach are:

The organization is viewed as a network, not a pyramid: power is disbursed.
Everyone is a leader, not a select few: utilize people's strengths.
Collaboration is essential, not the exception: leadership through mutual respect.
Purpose is what drives a company, not just profit: motivation, not money.
Leaders are here to serve, not be served: benefiting everyone.

Although much of the literature that informed Steve’s model is focused on secular business, I believe that it can inform us about a new model for church leadership that is not only more effective but more biblical. We will unpack some of these ideas in future blogs.

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