A reflection of chapters three and four of Spiritual Leadership by Henry and Richard Blackaby provides deep insights into leadership and the role of divinity. Chapter three provides a discussion of a leader’s preparation and spiritual development (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2017). It focuses on the natural elements of this development that are influenced by worldly aspects and provides an overview of divine factors that influence a leader’s development. This chapter has changed my leadership perspective and enabled me to acknowledge the critical side of divine influence. I now realize that despite leadership being sought after through worldly means such as popularization in democratic settings, there is a need to seek divine direction. Leadership cannot hold through worldly means alone without divine influence. Leaders who ignore this second divine aspect while focusing on the earthly aspect fall short and may fail to deliver their mandate.
Chapter four of the book focuses on a leader’s vision and the role of God or divine influence in this. The chapter emphasizes that a good vision is only borne of God’s revelation to his leaders on earth (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2017). The authors enumerate the role of vision in motivating people as it helps keep them focused on set goals. Proper communication of vision by leaders is a critical aspect of their responsibility to the people they lead. This chapter has enabled me to decipher vision as a vital aspect of any leader, and the lack of vision is a recipe for catastrophe. I have learned that as a leader, I must ensure that the people under my direction understand and support my vision. Above all, I must keep God at the center of everything to ensure that the vision has divine backing and support to avoid failure.
Reference
Blackaby, H. T., & Blackaby, R. (2017). Spiritual leadership: Moving people on to God’s agenda. Heart Cry.