{"id":897,"date":"2019-05-07T00:16:57","date_gmt":"2019-05-07T00:16:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/governancesolutions.wordpress.com\/?p=897"},"modified":"2022-05-12T23:54:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-12T23:54:54","slug":"tls-52-leadership-and-vision-23-allowing-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunesishq.com\/notes\/tls-52-leadership-and-vision-23-allowing-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"TLS 52 Leadership and Vision 23 – Allowing Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"

MAY 6, , 2019<\/span><\/p>\n

LEADERSHIP & TRANSFORMATION<\/span><\/p>\n

For the past months, we have studied Leadership from the perspective of its definition, inspiration and the vision process (the principles requisite for leaders to transform God-given visions into reality). Teachings or seminars on the foregoing purely from a secular perspective are not in short supply in our world. Teachings on the same but purely from a spiritual and bible based \u00a0perspective are not as plentiful. We have attempted in foregoing months to teach, using etymological and biblical references, how the leadership and vision process is deeply rooted in scripture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leadership, Dreaming and the Vision process has to do with inspiration\u2014a spiritual process in itself. Inspiration is related with life and peace or vitalization (quickening) as a result of God\u2019s life giving spirit embedding dreams, vision and ideas within us. Expiration has to do with death as a result of God\u2019s spirit (life giving spirit) being absent or leaving us. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that we have looked at the source of vision and principles that will help us to translate vision from thought to reality, lets us consider what our vision must do. It must transform. This is why this series is called the Transformation Leadership Series<\/strong>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

TRANSFORMATION<\/span><\/p>\n

We have heard \u201cBe the change that you wish to see in the world\u201d. While this is true, Change is a complex multifaced concept. \u00a0Transformation is not simply a change\u2014so we are not referring to leadership with a vision\u00a0 that simply changes things in society. When we use the word transformation<\/em><\/strong>, we are referring to a specific kind<\/strong> or type<\/strong> of change\u2014not just ordinary change. <\/span><\/p>\n

DEFINING TRANSFORMATION<\/span><\/p>\n

Dictionaries of English didn\u2019t exist before 1604. The first created was schoolmaster Robert Cawdrey\u2019s A Table Alphabeticall<\/em> (1604). It defined transform thus:<\/span><\/p>\n

transforme, (* synonyms *) change from one fashion<\/u>, to<\/span><\/p>\n

The 1828 Webster\u2019s Dictionary<\/em> defines transform as:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To change the form<\/u> of; to change the shape<\/u> or appearance<\/u>; to metamorphose<\/strong>; as a caterpillar transformed into a butterfly.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. To change one substance into another; to transmute. The alchimists sought to transform lead into gold.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. In theology, to change the natural disposition and temper of man from a state of enmity to God and his law, into the image of God, or into a disposition and temper conformed to the will of God.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. To change the elements, bread and wine, into the flesh and blood of Christ.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Among the mystics, to change the contemplative soul into a divine substance, by which it is lost or swallowed up in the divine nature.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Strong’s Concordance and Lexicon defines the word as associated with G3339\u00a0\u00a0metamorphoo\u0304<\/span><\/p>\n

    as \u201cto\u00a0transform\u00a0(literally or figuratively \u201cmetamorphose\u201d): – change, transfigure<\/u>\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines transform (metamorphoo\u0304) as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n

    1) to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure<\/span><\/p>\n

    1a) Christ appearance<\/u> was changed and was resplendent with divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration<\/span><\/p>\n

    TRANSFORMATION LEADERSHIP CONVERSATION<\/span><\/p>\n

    So, when we say transformation leadership, we are referring to a change process which is not linear but leaps across form, state, fashion, shape, appearance or figure. This type of leadership does not simply meet a caterpillar and influence that caterpillar to be a smarter, better, faster, bigger or influential caterpillar. No, rather the influence of such leadership brings about a change in state, form etc.\u2014a transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, a maggot to a beetle, a mere living soul to a life giving spirit. It brings about a change in form, state, fashion, shape, appearance or figure.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Now this word transform<\/em> has been repackaged and resold many times during the course of history but careful examination reveals that the salespeople are referring to the same thing and many of these sales people are within the consulting and academic leadership community. <\/span><\/p>\n

    One of the latest words being used within this community and others is the word \u201cDisruptive\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

    TRANSFORMATION OR DISRUPTION?<\/span><\/p>\n

    In the literature of innovation theory, \u201cdisruptive\u201d is associated, with \u201cdisruptive technology,\u201d which Clayton Christensen outlined in his book The Innovator\u2019s Dilemma<\/em>. Disruptive thinking is not so much about how to spot and react to disruptive changes in technology and the marketplace; it\u2019s about how to be the disruptive change. Proponents of disruption add that one must figure out a way to be the only one who does what you do to be disruptive and this requires \u201ca new way thinking<\/em> about competition and the business you\u2019re in\u2014a way of thinking<\/em> that surprises the market again and again with exciting, unexpected solutions. A way of thinking<\/em> that produces an unconventional strategy that leaves competitors scrambling to catch up. A way of thinking<\/em> that turns consumer expectations upside down and takes an industry into its next generation\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

    While this is packaged well and all, all disruption is about at its core is\u2014transformation\u2014via the thinking faculty of the mind and heart, changing the nature<\/u> of leadership, business, innovation etc., such that this change is more like a transfiguration\u2014a change in form, state, fashion, shape, appearance or figure that moves the industry into its next development stage or generation. <\/span><\/p>\n

    This leads us to how transformation takes place. <\/span><\/p>\n

    THE THINKING LEADER<\/span><\/p>\n

    Thinking or imagination is one of the most underrated leadership aptitudes. Transformation does not take place by earning a University degree or having the right contacts within your social or business network. It takes place by what you do with the faculty of your mind\u2014thinking. This is the reason for the admonition, \u201c\u2026 be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). This is why industry leaders inculcate meditation into their daily routine. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life (zo\u0304e\u0304) and peace (eire\u0304ne\u0304) Romans 8:6 (NASB). Nothing impacts the course of our lives nor our leadership influence<\/em> more than we what choose<\/strong> to set our minds on. Consider the power of your mind \/ heart from Proverbs 4:20-23. <\/span><\/p>\n