It is an undeniable fact that the success or the failure of any given society or community of human beings depends largely on who controls the affairs of that group.A leader without a clear vision and setting objectiv...It is an undeniable fact that the success or the failure of any given society or community of human beings depends largely on who controls the affairs of that group.A leader without a clear vision and setting objectives simply drags the group being led into turmoil,while a good leadership paves the way to upward movement of a group of human beings under such a leadership.Searching for a model of good leadership becomes then a serious need in any human society since success is desired by everybody.This study has therefore searched for a recommendable or model of good leadership in the light of Exodus 18:12-27 and African culture.The biblical text was studied as a narrative peace dealing with the change of leadership style by Moses,the ancient leader of the Israelites.He changed from the sole-actor style of leadership to a collaborative and democratic type due to the good advice given to him by Jethro,his father-in-law.This type,in which there was decentralisation of leadership authority,was found to be beneficial to all involved,because the work of the leader(Moses)was made lighter and the led got quicker services.African concepts of leadership were also studied,and it was found out that the African/Igbo democratic style is highly recommendable because it is caring;it has good“listening ears”and excludes dictatorship,without degenerating to the laissez-faire type of leadership.Of the various types of leadership styles examined,the democratic,collaborative type ranks first as recommendable.The Jesus-model of leadership as entailing love and service rather than exploitation,as well as the transparency model of leadership offered by St.Paul in the NT,present themselves as models of good leadership.A good leader serves the interest of the group under his/her charge and not his or her selfish and nepotistic interest.展开更多
文摘It is an undeniable fact that the success or the failure of any given society or community of human beings depends largely on who controls the affairs of that group.A leader without a clear vision and setting objectives simply drags the group being led into turmoil,while a good leadership paves the way to upward movement of a group of human beings under such a leadership.Searching for a model of good leadership becomes then a serious need in any human society since success is desired by everybody.This study has therefore searched for a recommendable or model of good leadership in the light of Exodus 18:12-27 and African culture.The biblical text was studied as a narrative peace dealing with the change of leadership style by Moses,the ancient leader of the Israelites.He changed from the sole-actor style of leadership to a collaborative and democratic type due to the good advice given to him by Jethro,his father-in-law.This type,in which there was decentralisation of leadership authority,was found to be beneficial to all involved,because the work of the leader(Moses)was made lighter and the led got quicker services.African concepts of leadership were also studied,and it was found out that the African/Igbo democratic style is highly recommendable because it is caring;it has good“listening ears”and excludes dictatorship,without degenerating to the laissez-faire type of leadership.Of the various types of leadership styles examined,the democratic,collaborative type ranks first as recommendable.The Jesus-model of leadership as entailing love and service rather than exploitation,as well as the transparency model of leadership offered by St.Paul in the NT,present themselves as models of good leadership.A good leader serves the interest of the group under his/her charge and not his or her selfish and nepotistic interest.
