Unlocking the Secrets of Effective Leadership in Christian Organizations
Organizational behavior is an important and growing field in leadership and management studies. Understanding how to lead a healthy organization is essential to its ability to fulfill its mission, yet many leaders in churches and other faith-based organizations overlook this key component. Through firsthand experience, Dr. Frank Markow has seen the incredible impact that effective leadership can have on these organizations. Dr. Markow, who has been teaching leadership and organizational studies for 25 years, believes a comprehensive understanding of organizational behavior is essential for effective leadership.
For many leaders, leading churches and organizations can seem daunting, like mysterious “black boxes,” filled with an infinite number of challenges and problems to address. In his new book, “Organizational Behavior in Christian Perspective,” Dr. Markow helps leaders navigate the complexities of their organizations through a 5-level approach, bringing both theological foundations, key insights from a variety of senior-level leaders in churches and nonprofits, case studies and more.
This 5-level framework offers a holistic view of how organizations can operate and thrive, giving leaders a way to think about, categorize, and deal with the many challenges they will undoubtedly encounter in their respective organizations. These five critical perspectives are like a roadmap to understanding not just the nuts and bolts of an organization, but the beautiful, messy, human elements as well.
A Five-Level Model to Understanding Organizational Behavior
Individual: This level explores personal differences, emotions, attitudes, and motivations. It’s all about understanding what makes each team member unique.
Interpersonal: Focuses on the dynamics of relationships within the organization, emphasizing trust, psychological safety, hidden family dynamics, and building strong work friendships.
Group: Examines how groups and teams’ function, moving beyond simple platitudes about teams largely derived from sports metaphors, looking at critical aspects such as group formation, team dynamics, leadership within teams, conflict management, and coaching strategies.
Organizational: Offers insights into the broader organizational culture, structure, and processes, helping leaders align their organization’s practices with its mission.
Interorganizational: Explores the interactions between different organizations and creating a networked approach to leadership and developing collaboration among the larger community.
Whether you are a pastor, church administrator, Christian business leader, or a student of leadership, Dr. Markow offers insights and practical tools to help you navigate the complexities of organizational life with wisdom and grace. These 5 approaches allow leaders to examine the overall health of their organization, by looking at how people relate to it and one another.
Learn more about these principals and the thought behind them by grabbing a copy of Dr. Markow’s new book, Organizational Behavior in Christian Perspective out now.
If this is a particular interest of study for you as a leader, check out the Master of Organizational Leadership Program lead by Dr. Markow. This program offers both the educational framework for leadership and the unique theological and Spirit-filled approach, helping faith-based leaders apply both to their respective organizations. Leaders will leave with the practical skills to lead health organizations, including the spiritual foundation many programs out there miss.
