Saturday 4 August 2007

Faith leaders could learn from managers in the secular world

[...] Elements of what works in the secular working world can be consistent with the ethos of religion. Strategic management does not conflict with theology or doctrine. I and other writers, managers and pastors across the denominations have been suggesting ways of integrating good management practice with faith.

Those who argue that the two are irreconcilable could consider these words of the management author Charles Handy, written for a secular audience in language that could be as at home in the presbytery as the boardroom: "The leader's first job is to be missionary, to remind people what is special about them and their institutions; second it is to set up the infrastructure" to make things happen.

If faith leaders took to heart the lessons of other sectors, they would be better able to set strategies for what their communities would look like in the future. They would inspire people to bring about a shared vision, rather than responding defensively to crises. Read more

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Amen! But why should we be surprised?

1. God made us as we are and mangement theory is slowly discovering what God has already revealed to us in his word.
2. A lot of management theory comes to us from the US and, for all its current problems, more people read the Bible over there - including management theorists.
3. The manual on change management was written by Jesus, Paul, etc. if we are prepared to accept their approach.

One of the foremost authorities in project Risk Management (David Hilson, the "Risk Doctor") is a Christian and argues for risk management being biblical too.

Change Management works extremely well in business because it realises that considering people is absolutely necessary if we are to change them. It is done because it works. We may want loftier motives but I'll settle for that for the gospel.