THE DEMOCRATIC STYLE ON LEADERSHIP

Doctrinal Foundation: participation in community life is not only one of the greatest as aspirations of the citizen, called
to exercise freely and responsibility his civic roles with and for others but also one of the pillars of all democratic orders
and one of their major guarantees of the permanence of the democratic system (Pacem in Terris AAS 55, 1963)

Philosophical Foundation: “If God had wanted us to talk more than listen, He would have given us two mouths rather
than two ears.” – Ken Blanchard

Democratic Leadership Style – this speaks of involvement of leaders in any responsibilities without dominating the
member’s decisions. This normally used when leaders have part of the information, and the employees have part of the
information, and the employees have other parts. The leader is not expected to be an all knowing subject. That is why a
leader employs knowledgeable and skillful employees. Using this “style is of mutual benefit – it allows them to become
part of the team and allows you to make better decisions.”

Democratic – is defined as “relating to or supporting democracy or its principles” (Oxford, 2009).

In philosophy, the term “democracy” is interpreted into two Greek words: “demos” mean the people while “kratia” is
power or rule. The theorists believed that in the world of leadership, democratic style can be effective in terms of tapping
the members’ traits and personality.

Now what is democratic style of leadership? How this style functions in the leadership world? The following discussions
will help you understand the role of a democratic leaders and the essence of democratic leadership.

From the encyclical letter Centesimus Annus, (AAS 83, 1991) democracy means assignment of powers and functions on
the part of the people, exercise in their name, in their regard and on their behalf. It is therefore clearly evident that every
democracy must be participative.

Democratic Leadership – the common definition states that “ the leader continues to direct and closely supervise task
accomplishment, but also explains decisions, solicits suggestions, and supports progress.”

Democratic leaders would usually tap the member’s potentials and respect initiatives for the common good. The leader
including one or more employees in the decision-making process determines what to do and how to do the task. However,
the leader maintains the final decision-making authority. Using this style is not a sign of weakness, rather it is a sign of
strength that your employees will respect.

The democratic leader believes that every member has the ability to contribute for the success of the organizations. Thus,
leader must respect their initiatives and skills. Usually democratic leaders will help the members through motivation in
order for the members to feel that they are part of the organizations.

The weakness of this leadership lies on the leaders and members. Leaders might become persuasive when he/she sees
something not in accordance to the common expectations, objectives and goals. Though sometimes democratic leaders
may delay decision making, but this is to ensure that every member are given the part of the decision making to achieve
the best results or solutions on the problems.

Consensus – is observed in a democratic ladership where everyone finds fulfillments by the group decisions.

THE LAISSEZ-FAIRE STYLE ON LEADERSHIP

Philosophical Foundation: “Anything worth doing does not have to be done perfectly – at first.” - Ken Blanchard
Laissez-faire of leadership – this style is “largely a ‘hands off’ view that tends to minimize the amount of direction and
face time required. Works well if you have highly trained and highly motivated direct reports”

Laissez-faire – is defined as “the policy of leaving things to take their own course, without interfering.”

In Economics, this is “abstention by government from interfering in the workings of the free market” (Oxford, 2003).

The Philippine Society is a democratic society but in terms of economic system, we are mixed economy. It is in this style
of leadership that investors in our countries are given priorities and decide on their own kind of business for the benefits
of profits except for the illegal businesses.

Laissez-faire dictates that every member of organizations has something to contribute and it should not be interfered,
instead, they must be recognized.

In business enterprises, laissez-faire type of leadership is needed to exercise maximum potentials of members and
encourage more initiatives. But when we talk of business management, strategic control is needed to prevent laxity on the
part of employees. Absolute exercise of laissez-faire in business can be a disadvantage to the company in the absence of
monitoring leadership.

In any organizations, the acceptance of members’ potentials is a great factor. It is in this style of leadership that people
have the feelings of being respected and left on their own way of exercising their capabilities.

The weakness of this leadership lies on the member’s initiative capabilities. The weakness of this leadership lies on the
member’s initiative or abuse of freedom.

Majority feels being confidents especially when they are assigned to something which they are in line with their job
depending on the interpersonal relations of members and leaders.

THE CALL TO CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP: THOUGHTS ON THE PRIMACY OF CHRISTIAN

LEADERSHIP

Doctrinal Foundation: The endless inspiration for Christian leadership on political power, recalling that it comes from
God and is an integral part of the order that He created (Social Doctrine of the Church #383)

According to Warren Benis, Christian Leadership is the capacity to develop and improve skills that distinguishes the
leaders from the followers.

Other great minds described it as:

 Capability to be at the forefront for others to achieve common goal;

 The capacity to supply knowledge and skills for the realization of agreed objectives of the organization;
 To be able to see potentials in people and assign them where they can be most efficient and effective;
 The charisma to influence others to work as team;
 The conscientious practice of one’s intellectual conviction and skills for others to emulate.

These are just few of the many facets and “prism” of leadership in which “Christian Leadership” must, Christians as we
are, radiate with high intensity, though we may be just one of the colors in a prism of leadership.

The term “Christian” is an adjective that gives primacy to leadership. This describes what leadership is, particularly in its
manifestations, approaches, implementations, and styles. We would personally advocate that “Christian” in leadership is a
certain ‘touch’ (or hagod in Filipino)” that dominantly characterizes this kind of leadership.
In the 1960’s when scientific management approaches were fast becoming an efficient tool for Filipino businessmen, a
new management touch was also clamored for by many businessmen. That “touch” that would aptly describe Filipino
sense of corporate responsibility, a certain leadership style on how this scientific management is concretely practiced that
would make an identifying factor among Filipino businessmen. This gave rise to associations that espoused the ideals of
Christ in the multi-faceted manifestations of scientific management, like Christian Businessmen and the Catholic Bishop
Conference of the Philippines.

Christian Leadership must emanate from within of every person. It is re-activation and gearing up of that innate leader in
everyone; manifesting it in every situation wherein we play an active role, coupled with a steadfast conviction that it is
actually the power of God working in our humanity.

FIVE PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

Principle 1: “If you cannot govern yourself, you cannot govern anyone else.”

o One if the ancient leaders Hugo Grotius said: “He know not how to rule a kingdom, then cannot manage a
province; nor can he wield a province, then cannot order a city, nor he order a city, that know now how to regulate
a village, that cannot guide a family, nor can that man govern well a family that knows not how to govern himself,
neither can any govern himself, unless his reason be lord, will and appetite her vassals; nor can reason rule unless
herself be ruled by God and obedient to Him.”
o Christian Leadership is a great package that comes in small pieces. One of the traits of a Christian Leader is to
appreciate every little piece as essential part in relation to the greater whole. Details are very important foundation
of everything that is magnificient like Christian Leadership. Appreciation of our own selves and a single-hearted
quest to attach ourselves to our God is the beginning of a leader. Acceptance of God as our inspirer-leader makes
great task lodged on us that of God, making us only sharer and collaborators.

Principle 2: You cannot govern yourself unless you are governed by God

o “…and I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my decrees.”
Ezekiel 37:27
o In scientific management wherein a manager or a business leader adheres to tested and proven formulas in order
to achieve preset and desired goals, in Christian Leadership there are also rules and decrees that a leader must
strictly follow and sources of power for self-governance must however be interpreted carefully and digest their
inspirational meaning with guidance from exegetes or biblical experts.

Principle 3: Self-governance manifest in the control of tongue…

o “We shall stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is perfect man, ever to keep his
whole body in check, when we put bits into mouths of horses to make them obey us; we can turn the animal…”
James 3:2-3
o The tongue is one of the most destructive and distractive parts of human body. Although not it is perse, but what it
creates: words. Famous cliché like: “speech can kill” and “words can hurt more than a kick or a slap” are
examples that indeed uncontrolled use of the tongue indicates uncontrolled self – a very undesirable trait of a
Christian Leader.
o In a technological advanced world of today, use of tongue has evolved into more destructive form: text messages.
It goes far beyond what biblical people can imagine, it goes much further that ears can hear and makes a pale
comparison of the intent of the inspired author of the bible of what the tongue can do, for it has actually shifted to
the limitless use of the intellect a more creative, lethal and scheming – a much more destructive compared to the
emotion-triggered and impulsive tongue.
Principle 4: Self-governance starts from the inside and manifested in the outside.

o ”From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” St. Augustine of Hippo
o Some psychologists uphold that human person who is made up intellect and will is full of conflicts as he journeys
in a society. A lot if time is spent to strike equilibrium and delicate balance to maintain sanity between the
perceived good by intellect, the objective good as desired by the will and the utilitarian or sought good as
influence by the society.
o The intellect and will look goodness in different perspective which we may call internal motivation. A Christian
Leader must first attain and sustain the balance between this two before becoming an effective leader. Internal
motivation is driven by the desires to please God, hence, every step is focus towards realizing what the will is
drawn to and what the intellect perceived to be good.
o External motivation is often triggered by fear, punishment and hope for a reward is a part of human journeying as
a social being. This is an essential element towards the realization of our full humanity when subjugated to
internal motivation.

Principle 5: Self-governance begins with a choice everyday.

o “Every act should begin with a prayer, accompanied with prayer and followed with prayer…” St. Augustine
o Our commitment to be Christian and to be a leader must be renewed everyday. Every waking up in the morning,
every time we sleep and in everything we act as human beings must be a conscious act for this would detach us
from pride and humbly attached to God. Christian Leadership is a choice that we have to be steadfast and
continually journey, ready to tie a knot at the end of every journey and hang-on.

CHRIST: MODEL OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

Biblical Foundation: “This, however, is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the
servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come
to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people” (Mark 10:43-54).

In Christian leadership, we cannot deny the reality that we are always looked-up as the image of Christ. A Christian who
lives the life of being an authentic Christian reflects the life of Christ. Christ is the center and the model of Christian
leadership.

o Christian is defined as a “person who has received Christian baptism or is believer in Christianity.”
o Christians – any people who believe in Christ and followed his teachings.

A person having “qualities associated those of decency, kindness, and fairness” (Oxford, 2003).

In the History of Christian Community, many pagan Kings and Government leaders put their life in danger because of
their faith and by Following Christ and believing on His teachings.

True to the history of the followers of Christ that some were burned alive by anti-Christ authorities in following and
believing in Christ. Some of them became good leaders especially in convincing others to follow Christ. They were able
to manage and lead the followers even in the midst of dangers and suppressions. For them Christ is in their life. But in our
present generations, many of us become a member of Christian Community and attended Christian worship and other
Christian obligations but many failed to live up being an authentic Christian, not purely because of poverty but because of
material preoccupations and too much concerns on livelihood.

Many Christian today prioritize the possession of things without the intention of doing it for the Glory of God and in
helping others. There are few companies and Christian institutions that fulfilled and continued Christ’s mission and
purpose. Some failed not because “they do not try, but because they do not make use of their assets, God given gifts such
as talents, skills, capabilities and resources.

It is in Jesus’ seven last words that He clearly pronounced his mission and purpose, when he says, “It is finished.” He was
being mocked, insulted, betrayed, and put to death like a criminal for the sake of saving the whole humanity, but he never
turned his back but instead, held on His Purpose and Mission.

St. Luke quoted prophet Isaiah which stated, “The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him.”

Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to
preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to
release the oppressed to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”. It is a clear manifestation that He was sent as a sacrifice to
save the whole of humanity from sin and evil because of his overwhelming love and mercy for his people. He is a leader
by example and a good teacher of all time.

Jesus repeated His mission when He said, “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also,
because that is why I was sent” (Luke 4:43). He never forced anybody to believed Him. He gave the freedom of choice
and the freedom to make decisions.

“PASSION IS POWER”

Passion is defined as “strong and barely controllable emotion.”

o It is an “intense desire or enthusiasm for something” (Oxford, 2003).

The book entitled, “Leadership Secret of Jesus,” by Mike Murdock, stated that “ you will never have significant success
with anything until it becomes an obssesion with you. Like Henry Ford, the invertor of automobile. Thomas Edison, the
invertor of automatic telegraph, and the carbon filament lamp. Billy Graham, evangelism. Oral Robert, healing. The
Wright Brothers, the airplane.” The author used the terms obssession not in a negative cannotation but in a positive one,
telling us to devote ourselves if we want to fulfill something.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Biblical Foundation: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first
must be your slave” (Mt 20:26-28).

Servant Leadership is much known especially in the writings of the New Testaments. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus said, “I
am among you ass one who serves” (Luke 22:27)

Servant – the word servant derives from the Latin word “servire” means submission of oneself.

o In the context, servant is defined as “a person who performs duties for others, especially a person employed in a
house on domestic duties or as a personal attendant” (Oxford, 2009).
o Usually servant is associated with service rendered with remunerations equated with the service rendered. In our
Filipino community and culture, servants are referred to public servants, house servants/domestic servants, and
servants who guard private houses, things, and people at the expense of the masters.

Servant Leadership – servant leadership is different from the common definition of servant. A servant leader does not
expect any payments from the service being rendered but purely a service. Servant leaders are projected in the
contemporary leadership like having medical missions, charitable works through feeding programs, and serving the
community like teaching Catechism in public schools without any remuneration – purely service for the glory of God and
his people. In any offices and school campuses, anyone can become a servant leader like serving as faculty officer without
any remuneration, a student who serves in the student council, and an employee who serves for the employees’ welfare
associations without any remuneration at all. Servant Leaders entail servant even to their own expenses and giving extra
efforts for the sake of common good and smooth relationship among students, employees and management in the
community.

Biblical Leadership Images. There are three (3) striking recurrent Biblical imagaes of Leadership in the New Testament,
all beginning with the letter ‘S’: Servant, Shepherd and Steward. Each of these is a rich image with various
connotations and worthy of careful study and application. Authentic Christian Leadership is following Jesus Christ as
proposed by these gospel images of Servant, Shepherd and Steward. “The servant is associated with the Leader as Servant
through Service, Support & Empowerment.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SERVANT-LEADERSHIP

Larry C. Spears, Executive Director of the Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership, mentioned the different
characteristics of Servant-Leadership by examples. These are the following:

a. Listening. This is very important characteristic of servant-leadership. A leader knows how to listen. Some experts
would say that listening is a skill. A skill in the sense that when you listen, you need to be attentive and at the
same time you need to be careful not be judmental.

b. Empathy. Empathy is defined as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another” (Oxford, 2003).
The “Servant-leaders strive to emphasize with other – to recognize for their traits and unique talents. They assume
the good intentions of co-workers and do not reject them as people even when one cannot accept their behavior or
performance. The most successful servant-leaders become skilled emphathetic listeners.”

c. Healing. If you have the ability and the gift of healing, you are needed in the leadership world. This is a gift from
God. Learning to heal is not easy especially when you as a leader also suffered and wounded.

d. Persuasion. This characteristic states that “Servant-leaders rely upon persuasion rather than their positional
authority in making decisions. They seek to convince others rather than coerce compliance. The servant-leader is
effective at building consensus within groups.”
e. Commitment to Service. This characteristics states that “Servant-leaders believe that people have an intrinsic
value beyond their tangible contributions as workers. As such, the servant-leaders are deeply committed to the
growth of each individual, recognizing the tremendous possibility to do everything and spiritual growth of
employees. In practice, this can include making available funds for personal and professional development,
encouraging worker involvement in decision-making and actively assisting laid-off workers find other
employment.”
f. Building Community. This characteristic believes that “The servant – leader senses that much has been lost as a
result of the shift from local communities to large organizations as the primary shapers of human lives. This
awareness causes servant-leaders to identify some means for building among those who work with them. Servant-
leadership believes that true community can be created among those who work in businesses and other
institutions.”

LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

Biblical Foundation: “The one who leads must be like the one who serves… And I am among you as one who serves”
(Luke 22:26-28).

Leadership by Examples. In one biblical incident, Jesus asked his disciples: “Do you understand what I have done for
you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.” The He added: “now what I, your Lord and
Teacher, have set you an example that you should do as I have done… and you will be blessed if you do it” (John 13:13-
17)

An important Characteristics of Servant-leadership is giving an example. It is in giving examples that any person who
follow will be motivated especially when the examples are clear and consistent to the behavior of the leader. “When the
Apostle Paul desired to help the Corinthians achieve a better way of life, he said to them, “Follow my example, as I follow
the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). He realized clearly that the most effective way to teach a behavior is to
teach it by example.

The “authoritarian leader imposes the desired behavior in an organization whereas a servant-leader models the desired
behavior. The authoritarian approach may achieve temporary compliance, but it will also be accompanied by an attitude if
resentment. People will carry out commands because they have to and be on the lookout for ways to circumvent the order
imposed.” That is why many autocratic leaders end up frustrated and produced rebellious followers and members.

The Servant-leadership approach “creates a spirit of ownership, involvement and commitment among the people. They
will do the work because they want to. The attitude they will have is, “if it’s good enough for the leader, then it’s good
enough for us,” It’s not only easier for them to take ownership of the leader’s values and ideals, but also this ownership
leads to their full involvement and commitment. The servant-leadership approach is far more effective in producing
lasting beneficial results.

The following table is taken from the book of Anthony A. D’Souza, S.J. “Leaders for Today Hope for Tomorrow”. 2006,
pp. 20-21

AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP SERVANT-LEADERSHI

Communication is one-way – top-down Communication is two-way between the leader and
subordinates. The leader states his point of view, but is also
open to listen.

Orders, commands Influences, listens, persuades

Uses position power.
People give compliance. Do things because they have to.
People out in time required, i.e work from 9am to 5pm.
People produce to meet requirements only.
People are lethargic-energy decreases
Uses personal power
People are committed. Do things because they want to.
People put in time and energy
People perform beyond expectation.
People are enthusiastic-energy increases.

Servant-leadership Empowers People. It is true that servant-leader “empowers people through example, guidance, care,
understanding, sensitivity, trust, appreciation, encouragement, reinforcement and shared vision. Servant-leadership is
much more than mere leadership style or behavior that we can learn to act out. It begins with the mind and heart – with
out attitude”. If we could have servant leaders in our university, in our family, in our community and in our government,
then we could lead our nation towards progress and development for the welfare of everyone.
1. Participation is exercising freely and responsibly one’s civic roles. True
2. The quote “If God had wanted us to talk more than listen, He would have given us two mouths rather than two
ears” was said by Ven Blanchard. False
3. The democratic style of leadership speaks of involvement of leaders in any responsibilities by dominating the
members’ decisions. False
4. In the democratic style of leadership, the leaders have part of the information, and the employees have other parts.
True
5. Democratic leaders would usually tap the member’s potentials and respect initiatives for the common good. True
6. Consensus is not observed in a democratic leadership where everyone finds fulfillments by the group decisions.
False
7. The Democratic style is largely a “hands off” view that tends to minimize the amount of direction and face time
required. False
8. The Laissez-Faire style is “largely a hands off” view that tends to minimize the amount of direction and face time
required. True
9. The Laissez-Faire is defined as “the policy of leaving things to take their own course, without interfering.” True
10. The Philippine Society is a parliamentary society but in terms of economic system, we are mixed economy. False
11. The weakness of the democratic style of leadership lies on the member’s initiative or abuse of freedom. False
12. Democracy means assignment of powers and functions on the part of the people, exercise in their name, in their
regard and on their behalf. True
13. Using the Laissez-Fair style is not a sign of weakness, rather it is a sign of strength that your employees will
respect. False
14. The democratic style in leadership dictates that every member of organizations has something to contribute and it
should not interfered, instead, they must be recognized. False
15. In the Laissez-Faire style of leadership, people have the feelings of being respected and left on their own way of
exercising their capabilities. True

1. Fashion is defined as an intense desire or enthusiasm for something. False

2. Giving example is an important characteristic of servant leadership. True
3. In Christian leadership, the reality that we are always looked up to is that we are the image of Christ. True
4. In the democratic style of leadership, the leaders have part of the information, and the employees have other parts.
True
5. Giving example is an important characteristic of servant leadership. True
6. This kind of leader empowers people through example, guidance, care, understanding, sensitivity, trust,
appreciation, encouragement, reinforcement and shared vision. Servant Leader
7. Servant leaders believe that people have an intrinsic value beyond their tangible contributions as workers. True
8. The word servant was derived from the Latin word servire which means submission of oneself. True
9. The leadership style speaks of involvement of leaders in any responsibilities without dominating the decision of
the members. In the democratic style of leadership, he/she employs knowledgeable and skillful employees.
Democratic Style