Blessings for Leaders

Book Review: Blessings for Leaders

by Dan R. Ebener

As the sub-title states, Dan Ebener’s goal in Blessings for Leaders is to hi-light the leadership wisdom that is found in the Beatitudes.  

In the Introduction, he notes that the Gospel of Matthew, in which the Beatitudes are found, is “a leadership gospel”. (xvii)   He contends that during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was less concerned about teaching the crowd and more focused on instructing his disciples on how to become apostles (leaders).

Each chapter of Blessings for Leaders explores a different Beatitude.

Wisdom is the theme of Chapter 1: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  The lesson of this Beatitude is that “Leadership begins with poverty of spirit” (6), which for the author means a good leader has the humility to recognize his\her own inadequacies and  “need for God and others” in order to accomplish goals. (9)

Empathy is the quality captured in the 2nd Beatitude: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.   The message for leaders is that, in order to have credibility and the support of their followers, they must identify with and show compassion for their follower’s pain and suffering.  Leaders are called to empathize with those they lead in moments of brokenness.

The 3^rd Beatitude, Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”, also speaks to the humility that leaders should embrace.  Simply put, leaders should graciously and unreservedly share power with their followers.  By doing so, they will “lead others [as Jesus did] to lead themselves.” (30)  They should also accept blame and graciously "give away" praise.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled is a powerful statement that reminds leaders that they must operate “just systems” and “build right relationships”. (40)  The foundation of good relationships is trust, and leaders can only develop trust – “the glue that holds an organization together” (37) - when they lead with integrity and are, indeed, trustworthy!

Chapter 5 explores mercy – Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.  According to the author, “Mercy applies to both the task and the relationship of leadership.” (45)  When it comes to relationships, leaders display mercy when they are understanding and supportive when people make mistakes.  By grounding the mission of the organization in the works of mercy – both the corporal works (feeding, clothing people) and spiritual works (teaching and comforting) – and holding people in the organization accountable for the mission, leaders practice mercy related to task.

The Beatitudes

For Ebener, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God, is a call to leaders to be “single-hearted” in the pursuit of service to “a worthy cause”. (53)  It is an invitation to servant leadership.  The author takes issue with what he describes as common myths about servant leadership: 

• Servant leadership is soft.  “No” says the author.  Servant leaders do not shy away from challenges or conflict.  Instead, they confront challenges and resolve conflicts in a respectful and collaborative manner.
• Servant leaders do not get great results.  Quite the contrary, through unrelenting service, not to themselves, but to the mission, and by attentively listening to their followers, servant leaders effectively persuade everyone in the organization to also work towards achieving a shared vision.        
• Servant leaders are powerless.  The reality is quite the opposite: “Servant leaders gain power as they serve others.” (58)

Much of the influence of the servant leader is rooted in “the paradox of listening”, which suggests that leaders “who listen well can be very persuasive”. (57)

In Chapter 7, the author explores the peace-making role of leaders, referencing the Beatitude Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.   He begins the chapter by emphasizing that Jesus, although a perfect model of peace, did not avoid or shy away from conflict.  Rather, he used peaceful means to address conflict and division.

The lesson for leaders from the ministry of Jesus is to be peacemakers who confront conflicts and disagreements in a respectful and even compassionate way.  Leaders must “separate the people from the problem.” (68)  On one hand, they should vigorously attack the issue or problem, but at the same time, they must never attack or ostracize, and always support, the people involved.

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The final Beatitude contains, perhaps, the most difficult insight for leaders: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  As change agents, leaders will inevitably face opposition, and sometimes, even persecution.  In the face of complacency, resistance, and even ridicule, they will need “tenacity, stamina, and courage” to continue to focus on the mission and vision.