SERVANT LEADERSHIP
PROVIDING PURPOSE AND DIRECTION
Click on each header to find out more about what kind of leader you are, and what you need to do to achieve the next steps.
Spiritual authority
With humility, exercising God’s power, for God’s purposes, for the blessing and flourishing of others.
As I recognise spiritual authority in leaders who have inspired me, I am beginning to understand how this is expressed in my own life, in line with the fruit of the spirit.
I accept God’s call and power to work in and through me. As servant and steward of God’s power and authority I recognise this should be used for the benefit of others, setting free those trapped in bondage of spiritual and human origin, and exercised in line with the fruit of the Spirit and never used for my own status or privilege. I am mindful of potential for spiritual abuse.
I provide opportunity for others to reflect on their exercise of spiritual authority, offering encouragement, affirmation, and restraint, based on observation and feedback. I lead from a place of security, not needing power or position as a compensation for personal insecurity, to control others. I collaborate, seek counsel, feedback and challenge, and seek the contribution of diverse others.
I courageously lead from a counter cultural, kingdom perspective, modelling a different understanding of status and authority. I form a culture where all are valued and treated with dignity, respect and love as part of the community of God where both people and mission flourish. I review and apply processes and practices that address where spiritual power is abused.
Thinking theologically
And broadening engagement about current and controversial issues helping others to develop critical openness and shared understanding.
I am proactive about deepening my understanding of Scripture. I particate in a group where difficult questions and key issues can be explored safely.
I continue to develop my knowledge and understanding of Scripture to inform my thinking. I provide opportunities to engage with others on difficult questions, providing a safe space to think out loud. I offer a non- judgemental approach in all contexts including pastoral and teaching ministries.
I enable others to think theologically. I support groups, through modelling sensitivity, to think openly and seek shared theological understanding without making assumptions. I encourage people to be open to new perspectives. I hold in tension the need to navigate complexity whilst applying and interpreting policy and procedures.
I strategically lead holding the balance between theology and pragmatics in the changing environment, which respects and values people in shaping direction.
Servant leadership
Prioritising serving, facilitating, empowering others and the mission, through transparency, humility, grace, trust and authenticity.
I seek to demonstrate servant leadership, recognising this should be reflected in the whole of my life. I try to do this with humility, not drawing attention to myself but helping others to see the love of Jesus in action.
I demonstrate servant leadership that provides support and oversight, characterised by service, love, truth and grace, respect and value, listening and acceptance, that leads to growth, healing, development and maturity in others.
I exemplify inspirational, responsive, ethical and values-based leadership that authorises and empowers others, offers trust, and releases giftedness. I encourage creativity and innovation and am prepared to stand with others and learn together.
I empower mission-led responsiveness aligned to our values as central to the strategic planning process. I set priorities of wellbeing. I advocate and negotiate for people issues at the highest level in social, political and other arenas as appropriate.
Setting direction and clarifying expectations
Holding together and aligning our purpose and practice with our goals and objectives, in appropriate and attainable ways.
I seek to understand the purpose, roles and tasks that I experience. I seek to be mindful of appropriate boundaries, accountability and clarify expectations.
I inspire vision by identifying, establishing and communicating clear and meaningful expectations and outcomes. I involve others in direction setting processes am accountable for upholding decisions. I define and clearly communicate roles and responsibilities, setting appropriate boundaries and arrangements for support and oversight.
I release leaders by providing clarity of expectation, training, authority and latitude to accomplish tasks and lead and oversight others. I negotiate flexibly around barriers or challenges that impact people. I create an environment of accountability aligned to Salvation Army vision, mission, and values.
I initiate, communicate and lead high level priorities which encourage effective and flexible local mission delivery with fulness of life for all with Jesus as the aim. I give visionary leadership with practical means of delivering the mission, weighing resources against opportunities, in relation to peoples’ wellbeing, balancing reputation versus realism.
Navigate socio-political environments
Showing understanding of trends and issues to ensure relevance and ability to serve engagingly.
I am aware of what is going on in the world around me and in my community and how this affects ministry in my context.
I understand the importance of other ideas, external factors, and influences in my context and can reflect on and apply an appropriate response.
I am politically astute and can negotiate through conflict and mobilise support. I demonstrate an understanding about the impact of trends and issues on current and future direction.
I keep informed and can identify events, trends, evolving situations and public policy that may impact or influence the mission of The Salvation Army and can appropriately influence strategy.
Creating culture
That honours the Kingdom of God, contributing to life in all its fulness, based on our mission priorities, values, valuing people principles, where the faith journeys of people are respected and nurtured.
I understand that culture is shaped by behaviour, particularly that of a leader, and seek for my behaviour to have a positive influence on the culture around me.
I am an ambassador of the behaviours that flow from our values to shape a culture of healthy and flourishing environments, inclusive communities, empowering people, innovation and collaboration, values-based behaviour and effective systems and structures. As a leader, I recognise that my behaviour and actions contribute to creating culture.
I facilitate development of a healthy culture, respecting and honouring one another, prioritising relationship building. I am confident and skilled to challenge and help others in their self-awareness when people do not live to our values.
I use systems thinking to understand connections, interactions, behaviours, and complexity in how culture is formed. I seek continuous improvement through listening and learning, identifying root causes rather than focusing on symptoms.
