Beyond Skills: The Importance of Leadership Formation for Personal and Spiritual Growth
Developing Inner Character and Spiritual Depth for Effective Leadership
Leadership development and leadership formation are related, but they have some distinct differences.
Leadership development typically refers to the process of acquiring knowledge and skills related to leadership, such as decision-making, communication, and team-building. It often involves training, workshops, and mentoring, and focuses on the practical aspects of leading and managing an organization.
On the other hand, leadership formation is a more holistic approach that focuses on the personal and spiritual development of the leader. It includes the development of the inner person, such as values, beliefs, character, and integrity. It also includes the spiritual development of the leader, such as developing a deeper understanding of one's faith, purpose, and calling.
For Christian leaders, leadership formation is spiritual formation. This means that the process of developing as a leader is deeply intertwined with your spiritual journey. It is a belief that your leadership style and effectiveness are inseparable from your relationship with God and understanding of His purpose for your lives. It is someone who prioritizes spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, and Bible study as part of their leadership formation process. You see your leadership role as a calling from God and believe that your primary responsibility is to serve others and advance His kingdom.
You see your leadership role as a calling from God and believe that your primary responsibility is to serve others and advance His kingdom.
By focusing on spiritual formation, you not only develop your leadership skills but also grow in your relationship with God, which ultimately makes you more effective in your roles as leaders.
You need both leadership development and leadership formation because they complement each other and address different aspects of leadership. Leadership development provides the necessary skills and knowledge to lead effectively, while leadership formation focuses on the personal and spiritual development of the leader, which impacts their character, values, and worldview.
Leadership development without leadership formations is incomplete and insufficient for developing well-rounded and effective leaders.
While leadership development can provide the necessary skills and knowledge for leading an organization, leadership formation is essential for developing a leader's character, values, and spirituality, which are integral to their ability to lead with integrity, purpose, and vision. Without leadership formation, leaders may lack the inner resources and grounding needed to navigate the complexities of leadership and make wise decisions that align with their values and beliefs.