History of leadership thought
Key texts, studies and theories that shaped today's understanding of leadership.
Nehemiah rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem
The governor of Judah organises the rebuilding of the walls in 52 days: prayer, diagnosis, shared vision and divided responsibility. The image later inspired the White Book of Good Leadership Practices.
Sun Tzu and Lao Tzu
In China "The Art of War", attributed to Sun Tzu, stresses strategy and preparation, while the "Tao Te Ching", attributed to Lao Tzu, describes a ruler who leads discreetly and without coercion.
Plato, "Republic"
Plato describes the ideal philosopher-king and the four principal virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance and justice - later the cardinal virtues.
Jesus washes the disciples' feet
At the Last Supper Jesus does a servant's work and gives the disciples an example (John 13). Earlier he teaches: "whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Mark 10:43). The foundation of the Christian understanding of leadership as service.
The Council of Jerusalem
The apostles and elders discern together the dispute over the Law of Moses and announce their decision: "it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us" (Acts 15:28) - a model of communal discernment.
The Rule of St Benedict
Benedict of Nursia describes an abbot who should serve rather than rule, consult the community on important matters and adapt to different characters. The Rule shaped community leadership for centuries.
Thomas Aquinas, "Summa Theologiae"
A systematic treatment of the virtues, including prudence as the virtue of governing and justice towards the common good.
Machiavelli, "The Prince"
A treatise on acquiring and keeping power, published after the author's death. A classic of political realism and a counterpoint to virtue-based leadership.
St Ignatius of Loyola's "Spiritual Exercises"
Approval of the "Spiritual Exercises" with rules for the discernment of spirits and making a choice. The Ignatian tradition still inspires thinking about decisions and leadership.
Carlyle and the "great man" theory
In his lectures on heroes Thomas Carlyle presents history as the work of great individuals. The beginning of the belief that leaders are born.
Fayol and the functions of management
Henri Fayol describes management as forecasting, organising, commanding, coordinating and controlling - the basis for the later distinction between management and leadership.
Weber and charismatic authority
In the posthumously published "Economy and Society" Max Weber describes three types of legitimate authority: traditional, legal and charismatic.
Lewin's experiments
Lewin, Lippitt and White compare autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire styles. The beginning of scientific research on leadership.
Stogdill's review
Ralph Stogdill shows that a set of traits alone does not make a leader. Research shifts from traits to behaviour and situations.
Behavioural and contingency theories
Blake and Mouton's Managerial Grid (1964), Fiedler's model (1967), Hersey and Blanchard's situational leadership (1969) and House's path-goal theory (1971).
Greenleaf, "The Servant as Leader"
Robert K. Greenleaf introduces servant leadership: the leader is servant first.
Burns, "Leadership"
James MacGregor Burns distinguishes transactional and transforming leadership. In 1985 Bernard Bass develops it into the theory of transformational leadership.
"Christifideles laici"
John Paul II calls the lay faithful to responsibility in the Church and the world and describes criteria of ecclesiality for lay associations.
Covey, Kotter, Heifetz, Goleman
Covey's "7 Habits" (1989), Kotter's distinction between management and leadership (1990), Heifetz's adaptive leadership (1994), Goleman's "Emotional Intelligence" (1995) and Kotter's "Leading Change" (1996).
Edmondson and psychological safety
Amy Edmondson defines team psychological safety. In 2016 Google reports that in Project Aristotle it was the most important factor in team effectiveness.
Collins and Lencioni
Jim Collins' "Good to Great" describes the Level 5 leader - humility combined with will. Patrick Lencioni's "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" shows trust as the foundation of a team.
Authentic leadership
After corporate scandals Bill George, Bruce Avolio and others develop authentic leadership, grounded in self-awareness and values.
"Vocation of the Business Leader"
The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace publishes a reflection on leadership in business as a vocation.
Synod on synodality
The universal Church practises communal discernment and the "conversation in the Spirit" as a way of making decisions in community.
White Book of Good Leadership Practices
At the Leaders' Forum during The Global Leadership Summit in Warsaw the White Book is born - a document on good leadership practices in the Church and Christian organisations.