Responsible leadership

 

What makes a good leader? That was the question tackled at a recent international workshop for ECLOF managers by the chairman of ECLOF International, Rev. Prof. Christoph Stückelberger.

Prof. Stückelberger told the thirty managers from around the world who gathered in the Philippines and heard details of ECLOF's strategic plans from now until 2009, that “responsible leadership is critical for ECLOF”. The chairman grounded his comments in the Bible, and especially the teaching and example of Jesus. The mission of ECLOF is rooted in the Christian gospel, said Prof. Stückelberger, and in that gospel there were two kinds of leader or manager: a faithful steward and a thankful guest.

 

Steward

In the Gospel of Luke, said Prof. Stückelberger, Jesus explains that God appoints "trusty and sensible" people as God's stewards "to manage his servants and issue their rations" (Luke 12:42). Good stewards are found doing their work properly when the master arrives. Such stewards realise they are not owners but are responsible for "all of the master's property". They also know that they must act responsibly at all times because although it is not known when the master will come, it is certain that he will. Further, when the master does arrive, he will deal severely with those who are bad stewards and who, for example, bully and exploit their staff. Applying this to ECLOF, Prof. Stückelberger said that its managers must be "good stewards", have a solid work ethic, and be aware that there will be proper control over their performance.

Thankful guest

The other model to which the ECLOF chairman compared the responsible leader is that of a thankful guest. Here, Prof. Stückelberger quoted from Genesis 1:28, where God says to humanity, "Be fruitful and increase, fill the earth and subdue it, rule over the fish in the sea, the birds of heaven, and every living thing that moves upon the earth". This was not, said Prof. Stückelberger, a licence for unlimited exploitation of creation but an invitation to live responsibly as guests on God's earth, and to care both for the environment and for one's fellow guests.

Careholder

The models of responsible leaders as faithful stewards and thankful guests could, explained Prof. Stückelberger, be summarised in one word: “careholder”. A careholder has six virtues. One, of course, is to care, and in doing so to cultivate, conserve and transform. Another characteristic is to protect, as he/she recognises dangers and takes measures to avoid them, or to restore things after damage has been done. A careholder is also a guide with the ability to think ahead and be a part of planning for the future. Then, a careholder has to order and bring structure into unclear situations. Such a person must also serve, and in doing so consider him/herself not as the head over other "servants" but the first among equals. Finally, the careholder has to share with others whatever resources exist.

Lessons for ECLOF

The ECLOF chairman told the managers attending the workshop that they and all involved with ECLOF should adopt the style of responsible leadership he had outlined. He pointed out that there had been an increase in staff training and that ECLOF should not accept mismanagement, or mediocre performance at any level. Further, zero tolerance of corrupt practices was ECLOF's policy and would be firmly enforced.

Keeping to a Christian work ethic, said Prof. Stückelberger, ECLOF staff would help churches have confidence in the agency and offer it their support. The potential for working with the churches was great and from what had happened in the Philippines, it seemed churches were ready to make resources available to ECLOF.

Referring to ECLOF's strategic plan for 2005-2009 as "our road map for the next four years", Prof. Stückelberger concluded by assuring the managers at the workshop that, "We know that we are not left alone in our struggle for better performance, honest service and responsible leadership. God supports and accompanies us. That is the source of our hope when we are tempted to give up."

For details of Prof. Stückelberger's book, RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP: Global Perspectives, please see Books and Publications www.eclof/english/newhorizon/nheng35/bp03.htm