The role of humility, servanthood, spirituality and values amongst business and church leaders in a South African context

Abstract

In his book "Leadership Next" Gibbs (2005:18) describes the relationship between secular and spiritual leadership as symbiotic, namely, two different organisms living in close relationship. To this end he makes the statement : The relationship between the secular and spiritual is a symbiotic one rather than a clash of opposites. In the secular realm many significant changes in thinking have occurred. For example, the management-by-objective philosophy that proved so demanding, manipulative and destructive for so many in the business world has now been largely superseded. In the course of reading a large number of recently published books on leadership in the for-profit and non-profit worlds, I have been struck by their emphasis on humility, a servant attitude, spirituality and consistently upheld values as essential ingredients for leadership visions to be actualized. This welcome development is in line with leadership values made explicit in the New Testament. (Gibbs 2005:18)

Considering this quotation as the basis for this discussion the research question is: Does statistical analysis completed by Sparks (cf Sparks 2007:123-159), of South African leaders who have led in both church and business, support or disagree with Gibbs? Considering the hypothesis that secular and spiritual leadership are symbiotic, the author will consider the various components of the quotation and describe a basic understanding found in literature with regard to these components. Thereafter, he will consider the relevant data from the research referred to. A brief overview of the life of Christ will be considered and subsequently a fresh understanding of the nature of the relationship between secular and spiritual leadership will emerge. It becomes clear that whilst there is general agreement with Gibbs, there are also specific areas of difference, particularly in the area of focus.