The Spiritual Quotient of Leadership
Kyle Flanigan
Braemor Series 18
The Spiritual Quotient of Leadership examines the relationship between leadership and spirituality in the Christian faith and the Anglican tradition, using the concept of leadership quotients to develop the Spiritual Quotient (SQ). It explores how Christian leaders can be more effective in their leadership, through a deeper integration of their faith with the leadership task. The intended audience is all Christian leaders, whether their leadership is in the church, organisations with a Christian ethos, the social sectors, or other secular organisations.
SQ is formed using a theology of leadership which is developed based on the leader’s identity in relation to God (imago Dei), their natural authority (radah), Jesus’ example of servanthood (servant leadership), and the ultimate purpose of Christian leadership (the glory of God). Dialectic tensions are identified, including leading with and under God, and shepherding others while being shepherded.
The qualities which comprise SQ are developed using an exegetical method, drawing on Matthew’s Gospel and his identification of Jesus as the prophesied ruler (hegoumenos). The Sermon on the Mount is selected as the core text, based on its representative nature of Jesus’ whole teaching and ministry, and its intended audience, namely the disciples. The five qualities which emerge from the text and comprise SQ are humility, love, prayerfulness, hopefulness, and God–awareness. Some qualities are shown to be significantly ahead of their time in relation to modern leadership thought.
SQ is then applied in ministerial contexts: first, as a discipleship tool to nurture the current and next generation of Christian leaders; second, as a pastoral aid, to care for burnt–out Christian leaders who feel unfruitful or ineffective; and third, as a tool to support clergy in their vocation, including the preaching task. More broadly, as SQ is constructed using established leadership methods, it bridges the gap to secular leadership models and enables Christian leaders to more meaningfully engage in the broader leadership discussion.
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Publisher
Church of Ireland Publishing
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Year
2026
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Pages
58
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ISBN
978-1-917814-04-1
