Customer Reviews

Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space and Influence

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Morse has written an original and insightful book about the use of power in relationships within the body of Christ. Her analysis is grounded in an appreciation for "the physical nature of leadership," given that we are all embodied and so relate to each other. The chapter on the ethics of power, called "Holding the Dynamite," describes four kinds of power: social, role, expert and character. Power is a socially constructed reality, i.e., people in a group have power because we give it to them. Her discussion of the factors that cause us to give over power and how we choose to whom we hand it off is enlightening. Often people who abdicate their power as part of a system do so because they are content to delegate it to someone whom they perceive as suitable for leadership because of the amount of "space" the other takes up with body language and behavior - their "presence." She writes from the premise that power is a gift of God meant to be shared; thus for a body to be healthy, each member has to own and make good use of its power for the overall direction of the body.

I most enjoyed her insights in the excellent chapter on the interaction between Simon the Pharisee, Jesus, and the sinner woman who washes and anoints Jesus' feet. Morse explains the entire narrative through the customary hospitality rituals and the moves made by Simon to win honor and avoid shame. She shows how Jesus consistently used his power to restore honor to those who, like the sinful woman, have lost it, and to expose those who, like Simon, misuse power to retain or gain honor for themselves. Jesus exercised authentic servant leadership through the wise stewardship of power to build and expand the kingdom of God by restoring people to honor and usefulness. The Middle Eastern "limited goods" view of the economy affected the society's view of power - because only a certain amount of resources were available, those who had more than their share were expected to ensure that there was enough for everyone. This duty of hospitality should characterize our interactions in the body of Christ, especially in the way we use power to include and honor those members whose functions have been limited, excluded or devalued. In contrast to the traditional Middle Eastern view, a western, "unlimited goods" economic perspective also influences present-day views about power. The western Church tends to see power as an unlimited commodity that is earned by hard work. Accordingly, those who have it have a right to it and are consumer-minded in their thinking about using it as a resource. They may think that if others want it, they can go out and earn their own, as there is plenty of it there for the taking. However, access to power is usually not equitable or healthy in our society. It is important for Christians to recognize and consider the subtle (or even overt) effects of this kind of thinking on our interactions with others in order to align our expectations of power and behavior with the attitude of Christ. Those who have power can learn to share it constructively, and those who tend to abdicate it can learn to participate so that all members of the body can function in the healthiest way for the well-being of the whole.

Body language can speak louder than words could ever dream of. "Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space, and Influence" is a Christian book trying to blend the power and methods of Christ in inspiring today's businesses. Saying that leadership is a universal trait that anyone can use, MaryKate Morse hopes to push today's business leaders to embrace God, grow closer to Him, and to their co-workers as well. "Making Room for Leadership" is a unique and impressive dive into the mix of religion and business.

I loved this book! It has been significantly influential in my work and ministry. After reading it, I not only loaned my copy to a friend, but bought several to give as gifts. A refreshing, honest look at leadership in any situation.

We don't always know how we are perceived in the world, and this book does a great job of helping you look at the subtle ways that you might be undercutting your own leadership. I highly recommend!

Docente leiderschap en geestelijke formatie op het George Fox Evangelical seminarie in Portland, Oregon MaryKate Morse stichtte eerder 2 kerken met leiderschapsteams. Voor haar boek Making Room for Leadership concentreert ze zich op de aspecten power, space & influence. Je leidt niet met je stem en beslissingen, maar vooral met je lichaam. De manier waarop je je beweegt in de fysieke, sociale en geestelijke ruimte maakt of kraakt je optreden. Morse verkent in het boek de diverse ruimten en laat met voorbeelden hoe leiders overkomen en wat de reacties van omstanders, publiek en volgelingen zijn. Macht en invloed zijn in elke omstandigheid boeiende factoren, en zeker in christelijke kerken en kringen. Het maakt nogal uit of je vanuit positie, autoriteit, dienstbaarheid, bewust of onbewust gebruik van lichaamstaal en dergelijke handelt. De schrijfster ontnuchtert het idee dat servant leadership gelijk zou zijn aan continu de onderste weg gaan, kortom vloerkleed voor ieder ander worden. Het leven van Jezus Christus, aan wie het concept van servant leadership in veel andere boeken wordt ontleend, heeft ook de aspecten van macht/kracht en invloed en niet alleen dat van door dienstbaar te zijn een voorbeeld stellen voor zijn discipelen.
Als je al diverse recente leiderschapsboeken hebt gelezen, biedt Making Room for Leadership ook veel herkenning. Verder schenkt ze gelukkig veel aandacht aan het delen van leiderschap en principes om te voorkomen dat leiderschap op een 'lonely at the top', niet voor kritiek openstaand, solistisch mensenwerk wordt.