This volume makes a timely and much-needed contribution to contemporary leadership studies by bringing theology and social science into a rigorous and creative dialogue. By probing the often-unexamined S/spirit shaping leadership theory and practice, the contributors move beyond technocratic and heroic models toward relational, reflective, and ethically grounded approaches. This book not only provides an overview of the secular and sacred aspects of leadership, but also offers a lively discussion from the perspectives of social sciences, theology and practice. It is rich in interdisciplinary insight and empirically informed reflection. This book not only diagnoses current leadership crises but also opens fresh imaginative pathways toward S/spirit shaping leadership with an impact on religious settings, organizations and society.Gabriël Anthonio, Professor in Value-Driven Leadership, Theologische Universiteit Apeldoorn, NetherlandsThis book aims to bridge theological and social science perspectives on leadership, making it of interest to scholars in both areas. The thematic device of S/spirit highlights the duality and overlap of the religious and human spirit. It will also be a welcome addition to the literature on leadership and spirituality. All in all, this book promises to make a unique contribution to the study of leadership theory and practice.Joanne B. Ciulla, Professor of Leadership Ethics, Director of the Institute for Ethical Leadership, Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick, United StatesThis book follows the basic insight that knowledge is both contextual and fragmented. To learn something profound and pioneering about leadership for the crises and challenges of the mid 21st century, the editors assembled scholars, researchers and practitioners from different fields, continents and denominations. By this, the book offers an amazing range and variety of helpful insights and discourses about leadership issues (transformation, relation, participation…) and brings the best of many worlds (theology, social sciences, philosophy, empirical research…) into one book.Felix Eiffler, Ph.D., Head of Research Unit Missional Church Development at the Center for Empowerment Studies, Martin-Luther-University Halle-WittenbergI am an extremely enthusiastic champion of this book. The authors have worked tirelessly for over a decade to pull together the ideas and contributions that it contains, and I think they have done a superb job. Moreover, the book as a whole is novel, fresh, and exciting on a number of levels —in terms not just of its message, but also its focus, content and reach. If I were a publisher, I would jump at the opportunity to publish it.Alex Haslam, Professor of Psychology, Leadership Scholar, and Laureate Fellow at the University of Queensland, AustraliaThis book stands out not only for its original topic, but also for the way it is treated. It opens a conversation across fields of study, bringing together both empirical and theoretical approaches, contributions from multiple theological disciplines, and perspectives that cross confessional boundaries. Not least, it demonstrates how leadership studies in general and theological leadership studies can fruitfully inform one another.Martin Jakobsen, Editor of Scandinavian Journal of Leadership and Theology and Associate Professor, Ansgar University CollegeLeadership is not trivial. But the literature on leadership is full of books offering simplistic answers. Thus, we need non-trivial conferences and books like this that deal competently with real leadership. This book offers interesting case studies from different parts of the world and various contexts.Volker Kessler, Professor, Akademie für christliche Führungskräfte, Gummersbach, Germany, Professor extraordinarius, Research Institute for Theology and Religion, Pretoria, South AfricaThe best edited works arise from a need to address the most pressing challenges of the day. In this regard, the collection is truly exceptional in its interdisciplinary aims to explore leadership as a process of S/spirit toward greater institutional and societal flourishing. Each of the contributors has developed clear, compelling cases for a more relational, contextual, and integrative leadership that rightly critiques models and practices of previous generations. I encourage all who teach and lead to incorporate this text into their courses and professional development.Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Associate Professor of Leadership and Formation, Iliff School of Theology, Denver, United StatesIn an emerging age of co-creativity, this volume interconnects theologians, leadership scholars, social scientists, and practitioners to extend our understanding of spirituality and leadership. A multinational collaborative of authors explores the shared reflexivity of discerning the S/spirit in leadership. The result is a perichoretic image of sensemaking that invites mutuality and redemptive action toward human flourishing. Future-ready leaders will deeply resonate with the holistic wisdom of these S/spirit-informed pathfinders!Thomas F. Tumblin, Professor of Leadership, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky USA
