December 26, 2016—I had an interesting conversation with a doctoral student during a recent trip. He was at the proposal writing stage of his study but struggling with putting his thoughts together. He said he wanted to “study something about differentiation of self and pastoral leadership.” I said it sounded like he was at “the fuzzy stage of research,” that point where we have a notion about what we want to write about, but not really sure what, exactly.
“Yes!” he said, “that’s exactly where I’m at!”
We talked some more about his ideas. I found it an enriching conversation, and it sparked in me some thinking on the issue. Recently, someone else had asked me “How can leaders know if they are functioning in differentiated ways?” That’s a great question given (1) the limitations of our own subjectivity; (2) our propensity for self-referencing; and (3) the challenge of Bowen Family Systems Theory to “stick to observable facts” when interpreting emotional process.
One common error is the misunderstanding of striving to “be a self-differentiated leader.” That is, achieving some mythic state of being. Leaders will do better to focus on what Murray Bowen called the “functional level of differentiation.” I think that means that the “tell” of a differentiated leader is more about one’s capacity to function in context and relationships and less about an over-focus on some internal state of being arrived at through gnosis, expertise, or practices.
Here are six ways to”tell” one is functioning as a differentiated leader:
My new doctoral student friend thanked me for our conversation. He reported being encouraged and having some new ideas after our talk. I think he’ll do well with what sounds like an interesting research project. I look forward to his research. I hope he’ll discover additional evidences of a differentiated leader. I think we can always use a few more.
To learn more about systems theory as a resource for ministry leadership attend the Leadership in Ministry workshops, part of the Pastoral Excellence Programs of the Center for Lifelong Learning.
Israel Galindo is Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning and Director of Online Education at the Columbia Theological Seminary. Formerly, he was Dean at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. He is the author of the bestseller, The Hidden Lives of Congregations (Alban), Perspectives on Congregational Leadership (Educational Consultants), and A Family Genogram Workbook (Educational Consultants), with Elaine Boomer and Don Reagan.
His books on Christian education include Mastering the Art of Instruction,The Craft of Christian Teaching (Judson), How to be the Best Christian Study Group Leader (Judson), Planning for Christian Education Formation (Chalice), and A Christian Educator’s Book of Lists (S&H), and Theories of Learning for Christian Educators and Theological Faculty.
Galindo contributes to the Wabash Center’s blog for theological school deans.