Framing the topic historically and biblically.
We will now work on the basic definition of leadership: what is leadership?
Leaders have existed in all cultures throughout history. From Egyptian hieroglyphics, we know that symbols for “leader” existed as early as 5,000 years ago. Moreover, it is easily observed that leadership plays an important role in organisations of every kind. Without Joseph, the entire ancient world would have been destroyed by famine. Without Moses, the children of Israel would have remained in Egypt. Without Joshua, they would have remained in the wilderness. Without David, Israel would have been overcome by Goliath and the Philistines. Without Paul, the Early Church would likely have been deceived by the errors of the Judaizers.
The Bible and Church history are replete with the names of leaders who profoundly influenced the world.
Similarly, the business world has its icons of leadership: men and women who took faltering corporations and turned them into spectacular successes. It is the same in every area of society; the worlds of religion, politics, education, sports, civil liberties and the armed forces all have their own heroes – those who society respects as “leaders.” In particular, there is no shortage of leaders in the Bible – the greatest One of all redeemed us from our sins!
Because of its obvious importance, leadership has been a topic of great interest to historians and philosophers for thousands of years, but it was only at the start of the Twentieth Century that academic studies began. Over the last 100+ years, scholars and writers have offered hundreds of definitions of “leadership.” One American scholar counted over 350 definitions of leadership! It is likely that leadership is one of the most observed yet least understood phenomena on earth.
We know leadership exists and we know it is important. We know good leadership when we see it and we know when it is lacking. We know we need leadership. But what is it?