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MIDTERM least in theory, is government on behalf of all the

THE DEMOCRATIC STYLE ON people, according to their “will”.
LEADERSHIP
Relating to or supporting democracy or its
Introduction principles (Oxford 2009).
Democratic leadership, also known as The theorists believed that in the world of
participative leadership or shared leadership, is a leadership, democratic style can be effective in
type of leadership style in which members of the directing the members traits and personality for the
group take a more participative role in the good of the institutions
decision-making process. The type of leadership is
applied to any organization, form private businesses No one is born a good citizen, no nation is
to schools and government institutions. born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that
continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people
must be included from birth.
Doctrinal Foundation Common definition: the leader continues to
The Church recognizes that while direct and closely supervise task accomplishment,
democracy is the best expression of the direct but also explained decisions, solicits suggestions,
participation of citizens in political choices, it and support progress.” Democratic leadership in
succeeds only to the extent that it is based on a John II Centesimus Annus
correct understanding of the human person. (encyclical letter)

Catholic involvement in political life cannot Church’s understanding of democratic system

compromise on this principle, for otherwise the • Citizen’s participation
witness of the Christian faith in the world, as well • Guarantees to the governed
as the unity and interior coherence of the faithful, • Replacing those who govern through
would be non-existent. peaceful means  Accountability to
those governed
What is Democratic?
The word democracy comes from the Greek The Church values the democratic system in as
words “demos”, meaning people, and “kratos” much as it ensures the participation of citizens in
meaning power; a way of governing which depends making political choices, guarantee to the governed
on the will of the people. the possibility both of electing and holding
accountable those who govern them, and of
There are so many different models of replacing them through peaceful means when
democratic government around the world that it is appropriate. Thus, she cannot encourage the
sometimes easier to understand the idea of formation of narrow ruling groups which usurp the
democracy in terms of what it definitely is not. power of the State for individual interests or for
Democracy, then, is not autocracy or ideological ends.
dictatorship, where one person rules; and it is not
oligarchy, where a small segment of society rules.
Citizen’s participation
Properly understood, democracy should not even be
“rule of the majority”, if that means that minorities’ An engaged citizenry is often considered a
interests are ignored completely. A democracy, at sign of a healthy democracy. High level of political
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and civic participation increase the likehood that the • However, the leader maintains the final
voices of ordinary citizens will be heard in decisionmaking authority
important debates, and they confer a degree of • Using this style is not a sign of weakness,
legitimacy on democratic institutions. However, in rather it is a sign of strength that your
many nations around the world, much of the public employees will respect.
is disengaged from politics.
Does government function better if the The democratic leader believes that every
public is more involved? member has the ability to contribute for the success
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s measures of the organizations. Thus, leaders must respect
the quality of governance with a 14-item index of their initiatives and skills. Usually, democratic
the functioning of the government, including items leaders will help members through motivation in
such as order for the members to feel that they are part of
the organizations. The weakness of this leadership
• Quality of administration lies in the leaders and members. Leaders might
• Government control of its territory become persuasive when he/she sees something not
• Regularized government and the rule of law in accordance to the common expectations,
( There is no explicit item on objectives and goals.
participation in the index). The 2004 ISSP
provides overall participation levels for Though sometimes democratic leaders may
about a dozen and a half nations, plus delay decision making, but this is to ensure that
Belgium and Iceland from the 2014 survey. every member is being ask for consultation and
many times members are given the part of the
As citizens, we go to vote, seeking to decision making to achieve the best results or
directly influence the people that are going to be solutions on the problems. Consensus is observed in
representing us. But participatory democracy is a democratic leadership where everyone finds
concerned with ensuring that citizens are afforded fulfillments by the group decisions.
an opportunity to directly participate, or otherwise
be involved in the decisions that affect their lives
THE LAISSEZ-FAIRE STYLE ON
LEADERSHIP
Five different types of political participation
Laissez-fair leadership is based on trust.
• Voting People who enjoy a wide degree of latitude in
• Campaigning making decisions and working on projects
• Contacting political officials autonomously are often most comfortable with
• Working on public problems laissez-faire leader.
• Talking about politics Definition of Laissez Faire
Characteristics of Democratic Leadership Laissez-faire leadership, also known as
• Democratic Leaders would usually tap the delegative leadership, is a type of leadership style in
members potentials which leaders are hands-off and allow group
• Respect initiatives for the common good members to make the decisions.
• The leader including one or more employees In a laissez-faire leadership environment, it
in the decision-making process determines is acceptable for employees to make mistakes in the
what to do and how to do the task innovation process. Workers have the confidence to
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apply innovation to achieve their goals without History of Laissez-faire style of Leadership
receiving a reprimand for mistakes.
Kurt Lewin is often credited developing the
Laissez-faire: A political and Economic Doctrine concept of laissez-faire leadership. Although Lewin
recognized laissezfaire leadership as one of three
The pervading theory of the 19th century was primary management styles, he did not subscribe to
that individuals, pursuing their own desired ends, it as his preferred leadership method. Lewin simply
would thereby achieve the best results for the identified laissez-faire leadership as the opposite of
society of which they were part. The function of autocratic leadership.
state was to maintain order and security
Along with researchers Ronald Lippit and
But laissez-faire advocates nonetheless Ralph K. White, Lewin identified the Laissez-faire
argued that government had an essential role in leadership style in the 1930s study “leadership and
enforcing contracts as well as ensuring civil order. group life”. They recognized laissez-faire leadership
The philisophy’s popularity reached its peak as requiring the least amount of managerial
around 1870. In the late 19th century the acute oversight.
changes caused by industrial growth and the
adoption of mass production insufficient as a
guiding philosophy. In the wake of the Great Advantages of Laissez-Faire Leadership
Depression in the early 20th century, laissez-faire • Accountability
yielded to Keynesian economist – named for its • Great environment for creatives
originator, the British economist John Maynard
• Greater retention
Keynes – which held that government could relive
• Relaxed work environment
unemployment and increase economic activity
through appropriate tax policies and public Accountability
expenditures. One of the top benefits of laissez-faire
management is that it allows workers to assume
responsibility for their successes as well as their
What is a laissez-faire leadership? challenges. This makes them more invested in the
overall process. However, ultimately, accountability
Delegative leadership or laissez-faire
remains with the leader of each team
leadership is a method that assesses the unique
talents of each employee, and assigns Great Retention
responsibilities accordingly.
Creative environments hold employees
The short version of laissez-faire leadership: accountable while also allowing them to be creative,
do what you want as long as you get the job done this typically leads to employees staying longer in
right. the company.
Loosely translated from its French origin, Relaxed worked environment
laissez-faire means “let it be” or “leave it alone”. In
practice, it means leaders leave it up to their Since laissez-faire work environments tend
subordinates to complete responsibilities in a to have less structure and rules, employees are
manner they choose, without requiring strict likely to be more relaxed. A low-pressure
policies or procedures. workplace can often lead to higher job satisfaction
and productivity.
Great environment for creatives
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High degree of freedom given by employers Servant as a Leader.” However, it’s an

to subordinates (bullet 2) to make decisions creates approach that people have used for centuries.
a good working environment • As a servant leader, you’re a “servant first” –
you focus on the needs of others, especially
Characteristics of Laissez-fair leadership
team members, before you consider your
• Very little guidance from leaders own. You acknowledge other people’s
• Complete freedom to employees to make perspectives, give them the support they
decision need to meet their work and personal goals,
• Leaders provide all tools and resources involve them in decisions where appropriate,
• Group members are expected to solve and build a sense of community within your
problems on their own team. This leads to higher engagement, more
• Power is given in the hands of employees trust, and stronger relationships with team
members and other stakeholders. It can also
lead to increased innovation.
Drawbacks of Laissez-Faire leadership • A servant-leader focuses primarily on the
growth and well-being of people and the
• Not good for groups lacking needed skills, communities to which they belong.
motivation, adherence to deadlines • Whole traditional leadership generally
• Results in a lack of accountability for involves the accumulation and exercise of
organizations, groups or teams and failure to power by one at the “top of the pyramid,”
achieve goals servant leadership is different. The servant-
• Leader may appear uninvolved leader shares power, put the needs of others
• Confusion over roles in the group first and hells people develop and perform as
highly as possible.
THE SERVANT LEADERSHIP
CHARACTERISTICS OF SERVANT
“This however, is not the way it is among you. If
LEADERS
one of you wants to be great, you must be the
servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be Larry C. Spears, Executive Director of the
first, you must be the slave of all. For the Son of Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership,
Man did not come to be served, but give his life to mentioned the different characteristics of Servant-
redeem many people.” (Mark 10:43-45) WHAT IS Leadership by examples. These are the following:
SERVANT?
A. Listening . This is very important
A servant leader sacrificially seeks the highest joy characteristic of servant leadership. A leader
of those he serve. knows how to listen. Some experts would
say that listening is a skill. A skill in the
The word servant derives from the Latin word
sense that when you listen, you need to be
SERVIRE means submission of oneself. In the
attentive and at the same time you need to be
context, servant is defined as “a person who
careful not be judgmental.
performs duties for others, especially a person
employed in a house on domestic duties or as a B. Empathy . Empathy is defined as "the
personal attendant” (Oxford, 2009). ability to understand and share the feelings
of another" (Oxford, 2003). The "Servant
WHAT IS SERVANT LEADERSHIP?
leaders strive to empathize with other - to
• Robert K. Greenleaf - First coined the phrase recognize for their traits and unique talents.
“servant leadership” in his 1970 essay, “The They assume the good intentions of co-
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workers and do not reject them as people • NELSON MANDELA – The late Nelson
even when one cannot accept their behavior Mandela, former President of South Africa,
or performance. The most successful modeled servant leadership in action. His
servant-leaders become skilled empathetic leadership focused on the importance of
listeners." community-building and empowering others
C. Healing . If you have the ability and the gift to lead social change.
of healing, you are needed in the leadership • MAHATMA GANDHI – Gandhi was a
world. This is a gift from God. Learning to servant leader because he hoped to persuade
heal is not easy especially when you as a people by changing their hearts and minds,
leader also suffered and wounded. and advocated non-violence in all things.
D. Persuasion . This characteristic states that • ABRAHAM LINCOLN – As the 16th US
“Servantleaders rely upon persuasion rather President, he served his nation insome of its
than their positional authority in making darkest hours during the Civil War. He
decisions. They seek to convince others helped preserve the nation and abolish
rather than coerce compliance. The servant- slavery. In addition, he helped strengthen the
leader is effective at building consensus federal government.
within groups.” • CHERYL BACHELDER – Former CEO
E. Commitment to Service . This of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen who turned
characteristic states that "Servant-leaders the brand around by serving the people who
believe that people have an intrinsic value had invested the most in Popeyes
beyond their tangible contributions as
workers. As such, the servant-leaders are CHRISTLIKE SERVANT LEADERSHIP
deeply committed to the growth of each • Motivated by love
individual, recognizing the tremendous • Jesus’ love was undeserved, unending,
possibility to do everything and spiritual unconditional and unselfish. It was not the
growth of employees. In practice, this can worthiness or the merits of the disciples that
include making available funds for personal drove Jesus to serve them. He wasn’t
and professional development, encouraging expressing gratitude, but grace. Love made
worker involvement in decision-making and him serve his disciples.
actively assisting laid-off workers find other
employment."
F. Building Community . This characteristic
believes that "The servant - leader senses
INITIATE SERVANT LEADERSHIP
that much has been lost as a result of the
shift from local communities to large • Jesus didn’t wait for someone to clarity
organizations as the primary shapers of protocol. He saw a need and met it. No one
human lives. This awareness causes servant- else had volunteered for the foot-washing
leaders to identify some means for building job that night – so Jesus made an object
among those who work with them. Servant- lesson out of the event. He started something
leadership believes that true community can that he hoped would be passed down from
be created among those who work in those twelve disciples to others (see John
businesses and other institutions." 13:12-15). Foot washing will never be in
vogue. It will be done by leaders who are
Who are Servant Leaders throughout history?
willing to pioneer an act of humility and
• JESUS CHRIST sacrifice.
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RECEIVE SERVANT-MINISTRY from others • This characteristic relates to your ability to

(John 13:6-7). “dream great dreams,” so that you look
beyond day-to-day realities to the bigger
• A servant’s heart exposes pride in others. picture.
Peter had a hard time letting Jesus serve him. • If you’re a senior leader in your company,
He still possessed a worldly mindset that work through and develop a robust
assumed that someone of Jesus caliber organizational strategy . Then, whatever
should never stoop to wash feet. Sometimes level you’re at, create mission and vision
leaders must learn to let others serve them. statements for your team, and make it clear
Because they become so used to serving how people’s roles tie in with your team’s
others, it is difficult for them to relax and and organization’s long-term objectives.
receive. In this instance, Jesus was asking Also, develop long-term focus so that you
Simon Peter to sit and allow the Master to stay motivated to achieve your more distant
serve him. goals, without getting distracted.
Persuasion Characteristics of a servant leadership
• Servant leaders rely upon persuasion rather • Building community – identification of
than their positional authority than making means for community building.
decisions. They seek to convince others • Commitment to service – servant leaders
rather than coerce compliance . The servant are deeply committed to individual growth
leader is effective at building consensus • Empathy – ability to understand the feeling
within group. of another.
• Healing – potential to heal themselves and
Commitment to Service another.  Listening – attention and
• Servant -leaders believe that people have an not judgmental of another  Persuasive –
intrinsic value beyond their tangible seeking to convince rather than coerce.
contributions as workers . as such ,the • Conceptualization – creation of vision and
servant-leaders are deeply committed to the mission statement
growth of individual ,recognizing
tremendous possibility to do everything
within their power to nurture the personal, THE CALL TO PERFECTION LEADERSHIP
professional and spiritual growth of –
employees. SUPPLEMENTARY

Building community Introduction

• The servant-leaders sense that much has The leadership style that Jesus taught and modelled
been lost as a result of the shift from local was neither about command and control, nor status
communities to large organizations as the and power. He did not teach techniques, but grew
primary shapers of human lives . this character – a character centered on a Christlike
awareness causes servant-leaders to identify servant heart. He modelled servanthood and
some means for building among those who challenged his disciples to follow that example – to
work with them. be like him. From the Kingdom perspective, this
makes leadership modelled on Jesus and centered
Conceptualization on his indwelling character superior to all secular
leadership styles.
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Five Principles remarks. With a gift capable of bringing

such good, we can surely cause great harm!
If you cannot govern yourself, you cannot govern
anyone else.
• A man cannot govern a nation if he cannot The Lying Tongue: speaking falsehoods with the
govern a city; he cannot govern a city if he intention of misleading others
cannot govern a family; he cannot govern a The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in
family unless he can govern himself; and he people who are trustworthy (Proverbs 12:22).
cannot govern himself unless his passions
are subject to reason. A false witness will not go unpunished, and one
who utters lies will not escape (Proverbs 19:5).
You cannot govern yourself unless you are
govern by God. The Backbiting Tongue: talking about others
behind their backs, injuring their reputations
• Ezekiel 36:27: And I will put my Spirit in through detraction.
you and move you to follow my decrees and
be careful to keep my laws. A man’s tongue can be his downfall. Be not called a
• In the new covenant, God writes His detractor; use not your tongue for calumny.
commandments in my heart, and, for the
The Indiscreet Tongue: preading confidential,
most part, these commandments have to do
unnecessary or hurtful information about others
with my inner life, not my outward
circumstances. In this way, whether I am He that goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets;
married or single, no matter where I work or therefore, keep no company with such a one
liveobedience to God’s Word is the most (Proverbs 20:19).
important thing. Self-governance manifest
in the control of tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who
talks too much
• St. James says something about the innate
power of the tongue “but no human being
can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full “Self-governance starts from the inside and
of deadly poison. manifested in the outside.”
• Sins of the tongue are motivated by mental
• Internal motivation – driven by desires to
sins such as arrogance, jealousy, bitterness
please God, hence the will is drawn to and to
vindictiveness, implacability, hatred, mental
what intellect perceived as good.
adultery, pettiness, envy, guilt feelings, etc.
• External motivation – often triggered by
• Share you thoughts to others. If you know
fear punishment and hope
something bad about a person, or you
suspect something, do not share it with • The intellect and will look goodness from
anyone unless that person has a direct hand different perspectives which we may call
in the solution of the problem. If in doubt, internal motivation. A Christian leader needs
don’t talk about it! to sustain the balance between these two to
become an effective Christian leader.
• Speech is among our greatest gifts, yet self-
mastery in speech is among the rarest. Some • Internal motivation is driven by the desires
of the most common sins we commit are to please God, hence every step is focus
related to speech: gossip, idle chatter, lies, toward realizing what the will is drawn to
exaggeration, harsh attack and uncharitable and what the intellect perceived as good.
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“Self-governance begins with a choice everyday.”

• “Every act should begin with a prayer
accompanied with a prayer and followed
with prayer.” – St. Augustine.

Call to Leadership
• A character centered on a Christ like servant
heart. He modelled servanthood and
challenged his disciples to follow that
example which is based on character –
Christ Like Character
Principle 1: A leader could not command the
subordinates to follow rules or precepts which a
leader himself/herself is not able to follow.

Principle 2: whether Iam married or single, no

matter where I work or live-obedience to God’s
Word is the most important thing
Principle 3: St. James says something about the
innate power of the tongue “but no human being
can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of
deadly poison.