God as Transactional Leader

Replies to Matthew and Erreka

Matthew

While it is true that transactional leadership effectiveness may falter when the money supplied for bonuses runs out and employees leave, I would argue that transactional leaders can build strong relationships with their employees, communicate clear expectations and provide regular feedback, and create a sense of accountability and responsibility for achieving organizational goals (Lee & Ding, 2020). Additionally, some employees may be motivated by factors other than money, such as recognition, promotion, or a sense of accomplishment (Manzoor et al., 2021).

Regarding the example of George Washington as a transformational leader in the American Revolutionary War, it is important to note that religious beliefs and Christian morals were not the only factors that motivated the Continental Army. The desire for independence, the defense of their homes and families, and a sense of patriotism were also important drivers of their loyalty and commitment. Overall, we should keep this in mind: Proverbs 29:4 states, "By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down."

References

Lee, M. C., & Ding, A. Y. (2020). Comparing empowering, transformational, and transactional

leadership on supervisory coaching and job performance: A multilevel perspective. PsyCh journal, 9(5), 668-681.

Manzoor, F., Wei, L., & Asif, M. (2021). Intrinsic rewards and employee's performance with the

mediating mechanism of employee's motivation. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 563070.

Erreka

Interesting post—I would only add that to me one of the most prominent examples of transformational leadership in the Bible is Jesus himself. He did not simply offer a transactional exchange of salvation for good works, but rather inspired his followers to love and serve others as he did. He challenged the religious leaders of his time and encouraged his disciples to grow and develop their own leadership skills. This quote shows the transactional nature of the inspiration, however: "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45 (ESV). So there is a lot to be said about Christ being a transactional leader, too. Still, I would say that while the transactional approach may have some benefits, it is not the only style of leadership that Christians should follow. Transformational and servant leadership styles are also important and biblical approaches that should be considered (Anderson, 2019).