In his leadership article, Dorothy on Leadership, Brian McLaren suggests that many of us today are trying too hard to be something that we are not. He suggests that many of us are trying to make old forms of leadership work in a different cultural context, and in doing so we become like David attempting to wear Saul’s armor.
In this article McLaren contrast the “CEO, alpha male, armored knight, corporate hero” model of leadership with a type of leadership that is exemplified by Dorothy from the movie Wizard of Oz. As he points out, Dorothy stands as a leaders who “rather than being a person with all the answers, who knows what’s up and where to go and what’s what, she is herself lost, a seeker, often bewildered, and vulnerable.” McLaren also points out that this type of leader would not be considered a leader at all, at least from a modern perspective, but rather from a post-modern perspective it is exactly what is desired.
McLaren then goes on to compare 10 characteristics of the modern leader with 10 characteristics of a post-modern leader: Bible Analysis vs. Spiritual Sage, Broadcaster vs. Listener, Objective Technician vs. Spiritual Friend, Warrior/Salesman vs. Dancer, Careerist vs. Amateur, Problem-Solver vs. Quest Creator, Apologist vs. Apologizer, Threat vs. Includer, Knower vs. Seeker, and Solo Act vs. Team Builder. After presenting this list, McLaren makes the claim that “I find in Dorothy’s way of leadership many echoes of our Lord’s.”
This article, I believe presents a great argument for rethink leadership in today’s context.
I will comment on this article.
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate the alternate models of leadership proposed here by McClaren. Last week, Rev. Dr. Renita Weems talked about this exact story: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. Weems discussed Dorothy’s propensity throughout the movie to give away her power to get home to the men accompanying her and the men she seeks, because she believes that she needs their help in order to get home. At the end of the film, Dorothy realizes that the power to return was hers all along.
ReplyDeleteJuxtaposing your article with the article I posted this week, I can see McClaren’s categories of post-wizard leadership played out in NSL’s commitments and structure. Young leaders participating in New Story Leadership especially exemplify the “Listener.” By setting up a roommate portion of the program, NSL encourages leaders to get to know one another intimately, which pits leaders as “Spiritual Friends.” The complexity and history of the issues involved in Israeli-Palestinian conflict call for “Apologizer” methods. The whole concept of NSL being a new story fits perfectly with the “Quest-Creator” mentality. Ultimately, each participant is a “Seeker” within the process, all longing for the same thing: peace and stability for themselves and their people.