The most powerful person to have ever walked on earth did not choose to use power to achieve his goals. Instead, even in his greatest victory, the ultimate game changer, Jesus chose weakness… his vulnerable self-offering on the cross for us.
For me, this act of vulnerability completely reframes how power should be exercised in the context of organising, especially with regard to leadership.
This has been referred to as the ‘servant’ model, ie, one who uses their power, talents, authority and resources for the benefit of others. I prefer to think of it as the ‘gift’ model.
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Published by gohbyname
I am a ‘People Practitioner’ who has, over the years, been swept up by the tidal wave of change that has seen my profession go from being called Manpower Management to Personnel Management to Human Resource Management, and now back, well sort of… to Systemic People Management. I came up with the last phrase because I find myself increasingly uncomfortable with working within the confines of the ubiquitous neo-liberal approach to categorising and organising people. I believe that people are people, not merely assets, human capital or resources. While we do find fulfilment from PRODUCTivity, we are ultimately human beings, not human doings. I would like to transcend who we have become and becoming in a marketized, monetarised world and leave the corporatist worldview that reminds me so much of the allegory of Plato’s Cave.
I love God, my family, playing guitar, following Arsenal, travelling and taking and editing photos. This website is a celebration of all these things and more.
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This has been referred to as the ‘servant’ model, ie, one who uses their power, talents, authority and resources for the benefit of others. I prefer to think of it as the ‘gift’ model.
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