Banks Mat Review Essay Example for Free

Banks tousle Review EssayRobert Banks and Bernice M. Ledbetter believe the subject of lead to be mavin worth exploring, and they do so in their book much to our profit. In this short book, Banks and Ledbetter begin by presenting the everywhereall question they fate to answer Do Christians core convictions shape their views and practices of leadinghip or are they affected by wider cultural assumptions? 1The book begins by exploring the many an other(prenominal) reasons for the increased interest in leaders today. The authors offer a overplus of reasons, not withholding the greatly increased pace of change, and they also set out some otherwise factors for understanding leadership, including the comparison and contrast between a leader and the qualities of leadership. Banks and Ledbetter sign great finagle to ask challenging questions. This practice aids in the development of the book.In the opening chapters they begin by defining leadership as involving a person, grou p, or organization who shows the way in an area of life. 2 The authors also cater a strong distinction between management and leadership while also demo the importance of these two roles to work together. The foundation of the writing is supported by the claims towards the importanceof the study of leadership. Banks and Ledbetter touch on on to explore leadership in a wider range of historical and Biblical contexts. They work from ghostly and Christian perspectives and work outward towards cultural influences. The authors share insight as it relates to the biblical, historical and contemporary perspectives, application the accounts of the Apostle Paul, historical models such as the Benedictine tradition, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Pentecostal. They continue by exploring trait, contingency and transformational leadership.Chapters troika and four provide the most specific writings on the topic of leadership. In these chapters Banks and Ledbetter draw attention to the raw spiritu al, theological, and ghostly concepts of leadership. Here the authors conduct a case study of a significant author of leadership material, Stephen Covey. It is revealed that many readers are influenced by his Mormon faith without truly understanding or discerning the undert cardinals.3 This continues with an exploration of other perceived authorities on the topic of leadership. One such study is of Laura Beth Jones, an woman writer with change magnitude influence as it relates to leadership.Chapter five addresses how to translate practices of leadership into individual context with the use of three basic yet important values faithfulness, integrity, and a servant-like attitude. Exploration of these three traits is undergirder with discussion of authors such as Robert Greenleaf. He is one of many leaders who brought into popular leadership thinking the idea of servant leadership.The book closes by offering examples in the form of case-studies. These studies provide deeper insight into the foundational qualities of successful leaders over the span of several years and many different context. This offers the reader a broader view of leadership by showing its success in many different forms and context.CONCRETE RESPONSEWhile reading through separately chapter I was challenged to consider the conflicts I grow faced that came as the result of lacking a manager to accompany my leadership. As a pastor, I am a natural leader. I melt down to seek out change while searching for ways to constantly make affaires better and more efficient. About two years ago I was in a conflict with several of the leaders in our church service. The conflict revolved around our misunderstanding ofeach others approach and roles in leadership.As an advocator of change, I was offended by their seeming lack of faith in pursuing a broader overturn in ministry and our effectiveness in the community. As managers, they were more apt to move slowly and could only contrive the problems th at would need to be addressed in order to achieve the vision that was laid forth by me. After studying the viewpoints of Banks and Ledbetter I can now see how we could bring on easily been on the analogous page and shared the same goal while simply looking from distinct perspectives.I have now began to wonder how many other relationships could have been mended by simply understanding the role that each party played. I have a tendency to assume that others go forth automatically view things in the same way that I have. This has often led to great disappointment or great feelings of universe misunderstood. In this way my passion can easily become focused on the wrong thing and people could easily become the target of that passion.REFLECTIONWhile the book does a great work of exploring the topic of leadership, because of the breadth and depth of the topic many questions remain. Taking into account the authors definitions of managers and leaders, how do the two roles successfully c ommunicate their intentions to one another? It is very possible for the two roles to coexist with proper ac receiveledgment of one another. How do the two operate together effectively without disrespecting or disregarding the importance of each role. Also, how does one know which leadership mode works best in a given context? Does it take an extended period of trial and error to discover the proper styles? How do followers or even so managers respond to a constantly changing leadership style?This book could have been greatly ameliorate with a more comprehensive study of the specified leadership topics. The writing feels much like a generic overview of very important topics. While well written and engaging, I am left abstracted as it relates to determining how to not only interconnected the leadership styles but also choose the style that is most fitting. This book feels like a movie that ended too soon. Leaving readers wondering what do with the brief information provided.ACTION With a fresh view of the information given by Banks and Ledbetter, I now have the information needed to implement a healthier leadership style that includes a clarity of my role as an agent of change. This plan is broken into two distinct parts. First, to properly pose the contexts that guide the view of leadership within the leadership team of the church that I pastor. What types of leaders have they encountered in the past? Are they open to change or resistant to it? This objective will be accomplished through the scheduling of one on one meetings with each leader.These meeting will leave me the opportunity to engage each leader in a meaningful conversation about the leadership styles they are most comfortable with. With this information I will be equipped to better avail these leaders by communicating with them in a way that they are most likely to receive. This is establish upon Banks and Ledbetters observation of the broad idea of leadership many people carry.Secondly, I wil l render a comprehensive list of the core beliefs that will guide our leadership team. For those considering becoming parts of our church, how do they know the values that determine our decision making as leaders? This list will answer that question. It will become the core values for current and even future leaders. This comprehensive list will incorporate biblical teachings from Jesus as well as the Apostle Pauls qualifications from 1 Peter and the epistles to Timothy. By outlining these core values, we create accountability, an attribute that could also allow for congregants and members alike to feel more comfortable engaging with the vision of our church by being secure in the direction and the values that guide us.BIBLIOGRAPHYBanks, Robert and Ledbetter, Bernice Reviewing Leadership A Chriatian rating of Current Approaches, Grand Rapids, MI Baker Publishing Group 2004