Narcissism and the Dark side of Leadership

Leadership Traits: Annotated Bibliography and Thesis

Thesis statement: Humility is the necessary foundation for effective leadership for Christians in public leadership. In this paper, I will argue that traits such as integrity, authenticity, communication skills, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are complementary for effective leadership, while traits like narcissism and remoteness are not desirable for Christians in public leadership. Additionally, positive traits like the ones discussed here can positively influence decision-making through the lens of the Rational Actor or Rational Choice models, while negative traits can negatively influence decision-making.

Annotated Bibliography

Brennan, G., & Brooks, M. (2014). Rational choice approaches to leadership. RAW Rhodes &

P.’t Hart (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Political Leadership, 161-175.

This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of rational choice approaches to leadership. The authors examine the assumptions, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks that underpin the rational choice approach to leadership. They also provide a critical analysis of the strengths and limitations of this approach. The authors argue that rational choice theory provides a useful framework for understanding leadership decision-making in complex situations, but it has its limitations, particularly in explaining the social and psychological factors that influence leadership behavior. They suggest that future research should consider combining rational choice theory with other theoretical frameworks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of leadership. This chapter is valuable for providing a useful framework for analyzing leadership behavior in different contexts.

Irving, J. A., & Strauss, M. L. (2019). Leadership in Christian perspective: Biblical foundations

and contemporary practices for servant leaders. Baker Academic.

Irving and Strauss explore the concept of Christian leadership in this book. The authors argue that Christian leadership is based on the biblical principles of servant leadership and that Christian leaders should prioritize serving others over personal gain. They analyze the biblical foundations of servant leadership and examine the practical applications of this leadership style in contemporary contexts. The book includes examples of Christian leaders who have demonstrated servant leadership principles in their practices. The authors also address some of the challenges and ethical dilemmas that Christian leaders may face, and they offer guidance on how to navigate these issues.

Malphurs, A. (2003). Being leaders: The nature of authentic Christian leadership. Baker Books.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of authentic Christian leadership. The author argues that effective Christian leadership requires a deep commitment to God, a willingness to serve others, and a clear sense of purpose. The book offers practical advice for Christian leaders on how to develop these qualities and apply them in their work. The author argues that authentic Christian leadership is based on a strong sense of calling and a deep commitment to serving others. Ultimately, the author suggests that leaders must be commited to biblical principles, have a heart for people, and demonstrate a willingness to take risks for God.

McIntosh, G. L., & Samuel Sr, D. (2007). Overcoming the dark side of leadership: How to

become an effective leader by confronting potential failures. Baker Books.

This book explores the "dark side" of leadership, including paranoia, dysfunction, narcissism, arrogance, and other negative traits that can hinder effective leadership. The authors argue that effective leadership requires self-awareness, humility, and a willingness to confront one's own flaws. The book offers practical advice for leaders on how to overcome these negative tendencies and become more effective in their roles. Overall, this book is a useful resource for leaders who want to develop a deeper understanding of their own potential for negative behaviors and how to overcome them. The fact that it emphasizes the importance of humility, self-awareness, and accountability in becoming an effective and ethical leader makes it helpful for this reseach.

Morris, J. A., Brotheridge, C. M., & Urbanski, J. C. (2005). Bringing humility to leadership:

Antecedents and consequences of leader humility. Human relations, 58(10), 1323-1350.

This article examines the role of humility in effective leadership. The authors argue that humility is a key factor in building trust and enhancing organizational performance. The article reviews the antecedents and consequences of leader humility and provides practical advice for leaders on how to cultivate this quality. The authors also examine the consequences of leader humility, including increased job satisfaction, commitment, and performance among followers. The authors provide empirical evidence for their model through a series of studies, including a survey of employees and a laboratory experiment. They conclude that leader humility is a valuable trait for leaders to cultivate, as it promotes positive outcomes for both leaders and followers.

Newstead, T., Dawkins, S., Macklin, R., & Martin, A. (2021). We don't need more leaders–We

need more good leaders. Advancing a virtues-based approach to leader (ship) development. The Leadership Quarterly, 32(5), 101312.

Newstead et al. (2021) argue that the traditional approach to leadership development has been focused on identifying and training people to become leaders, rather than developing good leaders. The authors propose a virtues-based approach that focuses on cultivating character traits such as humility, empathy, and courage. They argue that this approach is more effective in developing leaders who can effectively navigate complex and challenging situations. This article shows that a virtues-based approach to leadership development can help organizations cultivate good leaders. The authors draw on philosophical and theological perspectives to argue that effective leadership requires a foundation of ethical principles and virtues. The article offers practical advice for organizations on how to cultivate these qualities in their leaders.

Rueda, D. (2021). Is populism a political strategy? A critique of an enduring approach. Political

studies, 69(2), 167-184.

In this article, Rueda questions whether populism can be defined as a coherent political strategy. The author argues that the term has been used in diverse ways, making it hard to pinpoint a specific definition that encompasses all of its uses. Rueda critiques the essentialist approach to populism, which tends to assume that populism is a distinct type of politics that is always characterized by certain features, such as anti-elitism and anti-pluralism. Rueda instead suggests that we should adopt a more relational approach, which recognizes that populism is a complex phenomenon that emerges in specific contexts and interacts with different actors in diverse ways. The author concludes that a more nuanced understanding of populism is needed to avoid simplistic or reductionist accounts of its nature and effects.

Sindane, A. M. (2011). Values and ethics enter the real world: a framework for public leadership

and governance. Koers: Bulletin for Christian Scholarship= Koers: Bulletin vir Christelike Wetenskap, 76(4), 751-769.

In this article, Sindane explores the concept of ethics and values in public leadership and governance and proposes a framework for ethical leadership that can be used by public leaders to evaluate their behavior and decision-making. The framework is based on Christian values such as honesty, respect, and accountability, and it emphasizes the importance of transparency in public decision-making. The author also argues that Christian values can play a significant role in shaping public policy and decision-making. This article provides valuable insights into the role of ethics and values in public leadership, and it highlights the importance of Christian values in shaping ethical leadership practices.

Stein, M. (2013). When does narcissistic leadership become problematic? Dick Fuld at Lehman

Brothers. Journal of Management Inquiry, 22(3), 282-293.

In this article, Stein examines the concept of narcissistic leadership and its potential negative consequences. The study focuses on Dick Fuld, former CEO of Lehman Brothers, and his leadership style. Stein argues that while some level of narcissism can be beneficial for leaders, excessive narcissism can be detrimental to both the leader and the organization. The study provides insights into the negative effects of narcissistic leadership and offers suggestions for identifying and addressing the issue. This article is useful for understanding the dangers of narcissistic leadership and the importance of self-awareness for effective leadership.