Routledge Leadership Reformed: Why Leaders Need the Gospel to Change the World (Routledge Frontiers of Business Management)

This book presents the gospel as a sensemaking tool to critically examine five areas of personal leadership effectiveness, namely desire, identity, dignity, motive, and ambition. Every tipping point in changing the world for the better always involves leadership. Yet history also illustrates that even formidable leaders are prone to derailment and failures. Contrary to the popular idea that leaders need to enhance their self-efficacy to be effective, the focus of self is misguided because the self is the epicenter of the leadership problem. The author posits that the preoccupation with the self (and consequently, unbelief in the gospel) is the fundamental reason why leaders are blinded by power and control, create their own performance treadmill, live for the approval of others, and have myopic ambitions for things of this world. Drawing on biblical insights and scholarly research, the leadership principles outlined in the book and their street-level applications will equip both novice and seasoned leaders to begin and end well. Review “Reading through Dr Sendjaya’s book, the reader can tell right away that he is an articulate leadership scholar and Bible teacher. The book is filled with academic research and sound biblical teaching, wide exposure within both church and corporate world and rich personal experiences. With a sharp and observant perspective, Dr Sendjaya challenges the conventional understanding of leadership and unveils the biblical truth of gospel-centered leadership. Whether for seminary training, educational institutions, or to expand one’s understanding of biblical leadership, Dr Sendjaya’s book is unquestionably a reliable source to explore. It’s truly a book worth reading. I highly recommend it!” ― Rev Dr Joshua Ting, General Secretary, Chinese Coordination Centre of World Evangelism “Dr Sendjaya has written an important and practical guide for leaders to adopt and develop a gospel-centered approach to leadership. The book is valuable for new leaders as well as seasoned leaders and useful to all contexts of leadership whether commercial, academic, government, Church, etc. Leadership advice in the Bible can improve and strengthen any leader and Dr Sendjaya does an excellent job of supporting the principles and practices with scriptural concepts and examples of leaders in the Bible. This book would make a great base for group discussions about leadership as well as one-on-one leadership coaching sessions.” ― Bruce E. Winston, PhD, Professor of Business and Leadership, Regent University School of Business & Leadership, Virginia, USA “In a world where leaders struggle to stay true to (or even find) a moral compass, and where spirituality is no longer merely a private affair, this book offers a clear picture of leadership that is driven by Christian values and spirituality. How can Christians and other people of faith lead their organizations on the basis of time-tested religious principles, whether they serve in business, politics, education or other fields? Sen Sendjaya’s reputation as a leadership researcher and his expertise as a leadership educator make this an excellent resource that will indeed redeem leadership from a ‘secular, neutral’ perspective to invigorate it again with a sense of meaning and value that is rooted in the gospel.” ― Jack Barentsen, PhD, Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Leadership, Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven, Belgium “Drawing upon Scripture, as well modern business theory and practice, Sen Sendjaya has provided us with a timely reminder that effective Christian leaders must firstly be faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sendjaya places the gospel at the centre of leadership, focussing on the primary importance of character over other traits and skills for effective leadership. A practical, readable and Christ-centred book that I hope will help shape our thinking about Christian leadership in the coming years. Highly recom