The Life and Leadership of
Warren Gamaliel Bennis
In 2007, BusinessWeek called him
“one of ten business school
professors who have had the greatest
influence on business thinking.”
The Financial Times recently
named his classic book Leaders
one of the top 50 books of all time
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1925
Warren Gamaliel Bennis was born in New York City
to Jewish parents
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1944
Bennis joined U.S. Army & fought in the European Theatre
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1944
Bennis joined U.S. Army & fought in the European Theatre
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1944
Bennis joined U.S. Army & fought in the European Theatre
“I was the rawest 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S.
Army, a 19-yr-old shave-tail trying to keep
my platoon (and myself) alive as we
pursued the retreating enemy into
Germany.”
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – 1947
Bennis left the U.S. Army
Entered Antioch College on the G.I. Bill
Majored in Business
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
College Educational Co-operative
“The head of the chemical company was a deeply
religious man who lived his faith. He took a liking to me
and even invited me to go to church with him several
times. My guess is that he hoped I would be inspired
by his example and take the Lord as my personal
savior. In Europe I had been in many of the great
cathedrals, so I was comfortable in church and stood
and sang and respectfully lowered my head whenever
he did. But I had no spiritual awakening.”
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH–1951
Married his 1st wife – Lucille Rose
Graduated from Antioch College
Went to Graduate School at M.I.T.
Majored in Economics & Social Science
1/3 of his graduate program was at Harvard
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH–1952
Bennis And His Wife Divorce
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH–1952
Bennis And His Wife Divorce
“Lucille and I didn’t fight, didn’t yell. We cried a
little, but mostly we stood by doing nothing as
our marriage unraveled. When I flew to London
in the fall of 1952, she stayed behind. The
divorce followed in due time.”
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
“For reasons I still can’t sort out (the pressure of graduate
school was no doubt one), I experienced terrible anxiety that
year in London. It hit me suddenly. I was in a butcher shop
one day and ran out when the butcher picked up a cleaver
and slammed it down on a piece of meat. I couldn’t bear to
be alone. I would lie awake, unable to fall asleep until four in
the morning. I went to see the film A Place in the Sun, and my
heart began to pound so hard that I walked out halfway
through. I began having a recurrent dream. . . . It was
horrifying…”
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1955
Earned the PhD from M.I.T.
1955-56
Taught at M.I.T. for the academic year
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1956 -1959
Taught at Boston University
1959
Returned to teach at M.I.T.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1961-62
Taught in Switzerland at IMEDE
International Management Development Institute
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH - 1962
Married 2nd wife – Clurie Williams
Harvard Business School offered him a
faculty position with tenure
Bennis turned Harvard down to return
to teach at M.I.T.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1964
Birth of 1st child – Kate
1964-1965
Co-director Indian Institute of
Management Calcutta, India
1965-1967
M.I.T. Department Chair
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1966
Birth of 2nd Child – John
1967
Provost of Social Sciences
State University of New York in Buffalo
1968
Birth of 3rd Child – Will
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1969-1970
Exec. V.P. of State University of New York
Height of Vietnam anti-war protests
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1970
Resigned University of New York in public
protest of use of riot police on the campus
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1970
Interviewed For University Presidencies:
Northwestern University
State University of New York
Boston University
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1971-1977
President of University of Cincinnati
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1977
Resigned from University of Cincinnati
1977-1979
Spent 2 yrs. deciding what to do with life
1979
Had a major heart attack at age 53 while in London
He and his 2nd wife Clurie divorce
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Concerning His 2nd Divorce Bennis Says:
“We had unraveled for many reasons. At Buffalo and
Cincinnati I stole time from my family in my drive to
transform those universities. There were cultural
pressures as well. . . . . And as much as I knew I would
miss my children desperately and Clurie as well, I was
drawn to Northern California, lured by both its first-rate
academic institutions and the liberating counterculture
that had been born there in the 1960’s.”
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – 1979
For “Northern California (with) its first-rate academic
institutions and the liberating counterculture that had been
born there in the 1960’s”…
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – 1979
For “Northern California (with) its first-rate academic
institutions and the liberating counterculture that had been
born there in the 1960’s”…
Bennis left his 2nd wife
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – 1979
For “Northern California (with) its first-rate academic
institutions and the liberating counterculture that had been
born there in the 1960’s”…
Bennis left his 2nd wife
An 11 year old son
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – 1979
For “Northern California (with) its first-rate academic
institutions and the liberating counterculture that had been
born there in the 1960’s”…
Bennis left his 2nd wife
An 11 year old son
A 13 year old son
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – 1979
For “Northern California (with) its first-rate academic
institutions and the liberating counterculture that had been
born there in the 1960’s”…
Bennis left his 2nd wife
An 11 year old son
A 13 year old son
A 15 year old daughter
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH – 1979
Moved to Sausalito, California
Lived on a houseboat still deciding what to do with his life
Now 54 years old
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1979–80
Became A Zen Buddhist
“Alan Watts, a former Anglican priest who was
turning the country on to Zen Buddhism just as he
had the Beat poets, lived two gates over. I would
sometimes see Watts in one of his kimonos, which
he preferred to Western dress. I soon began
attending his Thursday-night lectures on Zen,
science, sexuality, and alternative ways of being…”
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1979 -1980
Hired To Analyze Werner Erhard’s EST Seminars
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1979 -1980
Hired To Analyze Werner Erhard’s EST Seminars
According to Erhard: EST is similar to Scientology:
Scientology focuses on “Survival”
EST focuses on “Wholeness”
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1979 -1980
“Expanding one’s consciousness was the rage in
Northern California, and I tried just about every
New Age-y, counterculture thing that came along.
Will Schutz’s ex-wife introduced me to channeling.
An astrologer came to the houseboat and did my
chart. Surely a nutritionist attempted to align my
diet with my chakras…”
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1980
Began teaching at USC at age 55
Still teaches there today at age 86
1980 – 2010
Has authored or co-authored 23 of his 30 books
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
1992
Married Dr. Grace Gabe – Jewish ceremony
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Bennis Remains A Practicing Buddhist
“Trudy Goodman is another source of health in my
everyday life. She is my Buddhist teacher. A wise
woman, Trudy comes to the house once a week,
where we meditate and talk about the things that
matter most at this time in my life. I can discuss
things with Trudy that would only worry friends and
family. She has a way of placing fears &other
emotions into a timeless, spiritual context that always
puts me at ease.”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH,
WRITINGS, AND THEORIES OF
LEADERSHIP
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Bennis Is Widely Regarded As A Leadership Guru
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Bennis Is Widely Regarded As A Leadership Guru
He has authored 30 books & countless articles on leadership
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Bennis Is Widely Regarded As A Leadership Guru
He has authored 30 books & countless articles on leadership
He has taught leadership for almost 6 decades
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
In 2007, BusinessWeek called him
“one of ten business school
professors who have had the greatest
influence on business thinking.”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
The Financial Times recently
named his classic book Leaders
one of the top 50 books of all time
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Some of Bennis’ Major Leadership Theories
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Has 4 Basic Qualities
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Has 4 Basic Qualities
1st – Managing other people’s attention
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Has 4 Basic Qualities
1st – Managing other people’s attention
2nd – Managing meaning by communicating well
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Has 4 Basic Qualities
1st – Managing other people’s attention
2nd – Managing meaning by communicating well
3rd – Managing others’ trust
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Has 4 Basic Qualities
1st – Managing other people’s attention
2nd – Managing meaning by communicating well
3rd – Managing others’ trust
4th – Accurate Self-knowledge of strengths & weaknesses
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Also Has 7
Characteristics Of Effective Performance
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Also Has 7
Characteristics Of Effective Performance
1. Business Literacy
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Also Has 7
Characteristics Of Effective Performance
1. Business Literacy
2. People Skills
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Also Has 7
Characteristics Of Effective Performance
1. Business Literacy
2. People Skills
3. Conceptual Skills
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Also Has 7
Characteristics Of Effective Performance
1.
2.
3.
4.
Business Literacy
People Skills
Conceptual Skills
Track Record
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Also Has 7
Characteristics Of Effective Performance
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Business Literacy
People Skills
Conceptual Skills
Track Record
Taste
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Also Has 7
Characteristics Of Effective Performance
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Business Literacy
People Skills
Conceptual Skills
Track Record
Taste
Judgment
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 1 – Every Great Leader Also Has 7
Characteristics Of Effective Performance
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Business Literacy
People Skills
Conceptual Skills
Track Record
Taste
Judgment
Character
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 2 – Life’s “Crucibles” Make Great Leaders
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 2 – Life’s “Crucibles” Make Great Leaders
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 2 – Life’s “Crucibles” Make Great Leaders
Great Leaders Are NOT Born
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 2 – Life’s “Crucibles” Make Great Leaders
Great Leaders Are NOT Born
Great Leaders Are Forged & Shaped:
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 2 – Life’s “Crucibles” Make Great Leaders
Great Leaders Are NOT Born
Great Leaders Are Forged & Shaped:
- Thru Life experiences
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 2 – Life’s “Crucibles” Make Great Leaders
Great Leaders Are NOT Born
Great Leaders Are Forged & Shaped:
- Thru Life experiences
- Thru what they learn from them
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 3 – Leaders Aren’t Intrinsically Transcendent
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 3 – Leaders Aren’t Intrinsically Transcendent
“Historians tend to write about great leaders as if they
possessed transcendent genius, as if they were capable
of creating their visions and sense of destiny out of some
mysterious resource. Perhaps some do, but upon closer
examination it usually turns out that the vision did not
originate with the leader personally but rather from
others…”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 3 – Leaders Aren’t Intrinsically Transcendent
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 3 – Leaders Aren’t Intrinsically Transcendent
Bennis puts leaders on a level playing field
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 3 – Leaders Aren’t Intrinsically Transcendent
Bennis puts leaders on a level playing field
Does not deny that some are more gifted
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 3 – Leaders Aren’t Intrinsically Transcendent
Bennis puts leaders on a level playing field
Does not deny that some are more gifted
Denies that leadership is the exclusive possession
of the intrinsically “great.”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 4 – Leaders Must Earn Their Followers’ Respect
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 4 – Leaders Must Earn Their Followers’ Respect
Bennis credits learning this to the U.S. Army
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 4 – Leaders Must Earn Their Followers’ Respect
Bennis credits learning this to the U.S. Army
“Our instructors at Fort Benning, charged with the unenviable
task of turning raw material into officers, had tried to warn us
how important it was to prove ourselves to those we led. It
was one of countless ways they tried, at record speed, to
create officers who inspired trust and, thus, might stay alive
long enough to win the war. You can’t command respect, they
warned us: “Don’t flaunt those gold bars. You have to earn
them….”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
“Voluntary enrollment” is necessary for effective leadership
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
What enables leaders to cause people to want to follow?
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
What enables leaders to cause people to want to follow?
1. Strong Vision
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
What enables leaders to cause people to want to follow?
1. Strong Vision
2. Optimism
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
“Leaders keep their eyes on the horizon, not
just the bottom line.”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
“Leaders keep their eyes on the horizon, not
just the bottom line.”
“Leaders encourage organizations to dance
to music forms yet to be heard.”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 5 – The Necessity of Voluntary Enrollment
“True leaders have an uncanny way of enrolling people
in their vision through their optimism – sometimes
unwarranted optimism. For them the glass is not halffull, it’s brimming. They believe – all of the exemplary
leaders that we have studied – that they can change
the world, or at the very least, put a dent in the
universe. They’re all purveyors of hope. Confucius said
that leaders are ‘dealers in hope.’”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 6 – The Necessity of Transparency
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 6 – The Necessity of Transparency
“When we speak of “transparency,” we mean much more
than the standard business definition of the term—full
disclosure of financial information to investors….Because
no organization can be honest with the public if it’s not
honest with itself, we define transparency broadly, as the
degree to which information flows freely within an
organization, among managers and employees, and
outward to stakeholders .”
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis Rejects Theories Of Leadership That:
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis Rejects Theories Of Leadership That:
Assert that leaders choose leadership style based on the situation
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis Rejects Theories Of Leadership That:
Assert that leaders a choose leadership style based on the situation
Assert that situations call for leaders with a particular leadership style
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
In this regard, Bennis is in agreement with:
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
In this regard, Bennis is in agreement with:
John Kotter
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
In this regard, Bennis is in agreement with:
John Kotter
Rensis Likert
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
In this regard, Bennis is in agreement with:
John Kotter
Rensis Likert
Abraham Zaleznik
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
In this regard, Bennis is in agreement with:
John Kotter
Rensis Likert
Abraham Zaleznik
Doug McGregor
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis: All leaders basically need to do the same things
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis: All leaders basically need to do the same things
Bennis Differentiates:
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis: All leaders basically need to do the same things
Bennis Differentiates:
Essential qualities of good leaders
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis: All leaders basically need to do the same things
Bennis Differentiates:
Essential qualities of good leaders
Essential qualities of good managers
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis: All leaders basically need to do the same things
Bennis Differentiates between:
Essential qualities of good leaders
Essential qualities of good managers
“Leaders are people who do the right thing.
SUMMARY OF BENNIS’ RESEARCH, WRITINGS,
AND THEORIES OF LEADERSHIP
Theory 7– Rejects Contingency Theories of Leadership
Bennis: All leaders basically need to do the same things
Bennis Differentiates between:
Essential qualities of good leaders
Essential qualities of good managers
“Leaders are people who do the right thing.
Managers are people who do the thing right.”
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL
EVALUATION OF BENNIS’ LEADERSHIP
THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN
MINISTRY SETTINGS
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We Cannot Overlook Bennis’ Worldview
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We Cannot Overlook Bennis’ Worldview
He is a Buddhist Pantheist
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We Cannot Overlook Bennis’ Worldview
He is a Buddhist Pantheist
He is a Secular Humanist
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We Cannot Overlook Bennis’ Worldview
He is a Buddhist Pantheist
He is a Secular Humanist
He is a Leftist
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We Cannot Overlook Bennis’ Worldview
He is a Buddhist Pantheist
He is a Secular Humanist
He is a Leftist
He embraces a subjective view of morality
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We Cannot Overlook Bennis’ Worldview
He is a Buddhist Pantheist
He is a Secular Humanist
He is a Leftist
He embraces a subjective view of morality
He embraces and practices hedonism
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Does Bennis’ worldview mean that we, as
Christian leaders, cannot learn from him?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We can learn a lot from Bennis’ Leadership Theories if:
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We can learn a lot from Bennis’ Leadership Theories if:
We carefully evaluate his theories before adopting them
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
We can learn a lot from Bennis’ Leadership Theories if:
We carefully evaluate his theories before adopting them
We distinguish between Bennis’ theory and practice
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Most of Bennis’ major theoretical ideas on leadership
are redeemable for use in Christian leadership
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis’ Theoretical Leadership Qualities Are Biblical Sound
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis’ Theoretical Leadership Qualities Are Biblical Sound
Holding people’s attention
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis’ Theoretical Leadership Qualities Are Biblical Sound
Holding people’s attention
Good communication
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis’ Theoretical Leadership Qualities Are Biblical Sound
Holding people’s attention
Good communication
Earning and keeping trust on the part of those we lead
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis’ Theoretical Leadership Qualities Are Biblical Sound
Holding people’s attention
Good communication
Earning and keeping trust on the part of those we lead
Having vision and holding forth hope to those we lead
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis’ Theoretical Leadership Qualities Are Biblical Sound
Holding people’s attention
Good communication
Earning and keeping trust on the part of those we lead
Having vision and holding forth hope to those we lead
Accurate self-awareness of strengths & weaknesses
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis’ Theoretical Leadership Qualities Are Biblical Sound
Holding people’s attention
Good communication
Earning and keeping trust on the part of those we lead
Having vision and holding forth hope to those we lead
Accurate self-awareness of strengths & weaknesses
Need for transparency on the part of the leader
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis’ position that, for the most part, great leaders
are ordinary people who are forged through unique
circumstances is very consistent with Scripture
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
What Is The Problem With Bennis And Leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
What Is The Problem With Bennis And Leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
What Is The Problem With Bennis And Leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
What Is The Problem With Bennis And Leadership?
Bennis Does Not Seek To Apply What He Claims To Believe
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
What Is The Problem With Bennis And Leadership?
Bennis Does Not Seek To Apply What He Claims To Believe
Bennis advocates earning and keeping the trust of
those they lead as an absolute necessity of leadership
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
What Is The Problem With Bennis And Leadership?
Bennis Does Not Seek To Apply What He Claims To Believe
Bennis advocates earning and keeping the trust of those
they lead as an absolute necessity of leadership
His autobiography reveals an unbelievable disconnect
between his theory and practice
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis Does Not Seek To Apply What He Claims To Believe
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis Does Not Seek To Apply What He Claims To Believe
He sacrificed both of his first 2 marriages for his
career
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis Does Not Seek To Apply What He Claims To Believe
He sacrificed both of his first 2 marriages for his career
Bennis abandoned his 2nd wife and 3 young children for
Northern California’s “first-rate academic institutions and the
liberating counterculture that had been born there in the 1960’s”
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis Does Not Seek To Apply What He Claims To Believe:
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Bennis Does Not Seek To Apply What He Claims To Believe:
Yet he writes:
???????
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
In terms of Biblical Leadership:
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
In terms of Biblical Leadership:
Leadership failure at the micro level disqualifies a
leader for leadership at the macro level
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
How do we Biblically and Theologically
Evaluate Bennis’ idea that “Optimism” is
an essential mark of leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Is “optimism” always the mark of leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
In Scripture, were God’s Prophets leaders?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Did “optimism” always mark God’s prophets?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Did “optimism” always mark God’s prophets?
At times the prophets brought optimism and hope
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Did “optimism” always mark God’s prophets?
At times the prophets brought optimism and hope
At times the prophets were heralds of judgment
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Did “optimism” always mark God’s prophets?
At times the prophets brought optimism and hope
At times the prophets were the heralds of judgment
Often purveyors of optimism were false prophets
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Compare in I Kings 22
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Compare in I Kings 22
The “optimism” of the false prophet Zedekiah
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Compare in I Kings 22
The “optimism” of the false prophet Zedekiah
AND
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
Compare in I Kings 22
The “optimism” of the false prophet Zedekiah
AND
The “pessimism” of God’s prophet Micaiah
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
At Times, “Optimism” IS A Mark Of Biblical Leadership
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
At times, “Optimism” IS A Mark Of Biblical Leadership
At Times “Optimism” IS NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
At times, “Optimism” IS A Mark Of Biblical Leadership
At Times “Optimism” IS NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership
“Optimism” Is NOT An ESSENTIAL Mark Of Biblical Leadership
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is “Optimism” NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is “Optimism” NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
Hmmmmmm…
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is “Optimism” NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
I Didn’t Really Say That
____
I Just Thought It Out Loud
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is “Optimism” NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is “Optimism” NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
“Optimism” and “Hope” for the the unrepentant
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is Optimism NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
“Optimism” and “Hope” for the unrepentant
“Optimism” and “Hope” that leads people to hope in hope
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is Optimism NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
“Optimism” and “Hope” for the future of the unrepentant
“Optimism” and “Hope” that leads people to hope in hope
“Optimism” and “Hope” not grounded in the Person of Christ
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is Optimism NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
“Optimism” and “Hope” for the future of the unrepentant
“Optimism” and “Hope” that leads people to hope in hope
“Optimism” and “Hope” not grounded in the Person of Christ
“Optimism” and “Hope” not grounded in the Work of Christ
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When Is Optimism NOT A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
“Optimism” and “Hope” for the future of the unrepentant
“Optimism” and “Hope” that leads people to hope in hope
“Optimism” and “Hope” not grounded in the Person of Christ
“Optimism” and “Hope” not grounded in the Work of Christ
“Optimism” and “Hope” not grounded in personal trust in Christ
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When IS Optimism A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When IS Optimism A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
“Optimism” and “Hope” that is rooted in a firm
conviction of the power of the Gospel to change the
lives of broken people, including the leader
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When IS Optimism A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
“Optimism” and “Hope” that is rooted in a firm
conviction of the power of the Gospel to change the
lives of broken people, including the leader
“Optimism” & “Hope” in the triumph of the Gospel
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
When IS Optimism A Mark Of Biblical Leadership?
“Optimism” and “Hope” rooted in a firm conviction of the
power of the Gospel to change the lives of broken
people, including the leader
“Optimism” & “Hope” in the triumph of the Gospel
“Optimism” & “Hope” in the power of God’s Word
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
“Optimism” may or may not mark the Biblical Leader
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
“Optimism” may or may not mark the Biblical Leader
What does mark the Biblical Leader is:
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
“Optimism” may or may not mark the Biblical Leader
What does mark the Biblical Leader is:
Faithfulness To God
BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF BENNIS’
LEADERSHIP THEORY AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN MINISTRY
SETTINGS
“Optimism” may or may not mark the Biblical Leader
What does mark the Biblical Leader is:
Faithfulness To God
Faithfulness To His Word
MAJOR WORKS OF WARREN BENNIS
MAJOR WORKS OF WARREN BENNIS
Bennis, Warren, and Patricia Ward Biederman. Still Surprised:
A Memoir Of A Life In Leadership. San Francisco, Calif.:
Jossey- Bass, 2010.
———. Organizing Genius: The Secrets Of Creative
Collaboration. New York, N.Y.: Perseus, 1997.
———. The Essential Bennis: Essays On Leadership. San
Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass, 2009.
Bennis, Warren, Kenneth D. Benne, and Robert Chin. The
Planning of Change. New York, N.Y.:
MAJOR WORKS OF WARREN BENNIS
Bennis, Warren, and Joan Goldsmith. Learning to Lead: A
Workbook on Becoming a Leader. New York, N.Y.:
Basic books, 2010.
Bennis, Warren, Daniel Goleman, James Outsole, and Patricia
Ward Biederman. Transparency: How Leaders Create A
Culture Of Candor. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass,
2008.
Bennis, Warren, and Michael Mische. The 21st Century
Organization: Reinventing Through Reengineering. San
Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass, 1995.
MAJOR WORKS OF WARREN BENNIS
Bennis,Warren, and Burt Nanus. Leaders: Strategies For
Taking Charge. New York, N.Y.: Harper Collins, 1985,
1997.
Bennis, Warren, Jagdish Parikh, and Ronnie Lessem. Beyond
Leadership: Balancing Economics, Ethics and Ecology.
Cambridge, Mass.: Blackwell, 1994.
Bennis, Warren, and Philip E. Slater. The Temporary Society:
What is Happening to Business and Family Life in
America Under the Impact of Accelerating Change. San
Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass, 1998.
MAJOR WORKS OF WARREN BENNIS
Bennis, Warren, and Robert J. Thomas. Geeks and Geezers.
Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard Business Review Press,
2002.
———. Leading For A Lifetime: How Defining Moments Shape
Leaders Of Today And Tomorrow. Cambridge, Mass.:
Harvard Business Review Press, 2007.
Bennis, Warren, and Robert Townsend. Reinventing
Leadership: Strategies to Empower the Organization.
New York, N.Y.: William Morrow, 1995.
Bennis, Warren, John Van Maanen, Edgar H. Schein, and Fred
I. Steele. Essays in Interpersonal Dynamics. Belmont,
Calif.: Dorsey Press, 1979.
MAJOR WORKS OF WARREN BENNIS
Bennis, Warren. An Invented Life: Reflections On Leadership
And Change. New York, N.Y.: Perseus, 1994.
———. Beyond Bureaucracy: Essays on the Development and
Evolution of Human Organization. San Francisco, Calif.:
Jossey-Bass, 1993.
———. Leaning Ivory Tower. San Francisco, Calif.: JosseyBass. 1974.
———. On Becoming A Leader: The Leadership Classic.
Philadelphia, Pa.: Basic Books, 2009.
———. Managing People Is Like Herding Cats. Provo, Utah:
Executive Excellence Publishing, 1999.
MAJOR WORKS OF WARREN BENNIS
———. Managing the Dream: Reflections on Leadership and
Change. New York, N.Y.: Perseus, 2000.
———. Why Leaders Can’t Lead: The Unconscious
Conspiracy Continues. San Francisco, Calif.: JosseyBass, 1989.
Heenan, David A, and Warren Bennis. Co-Leaders: The Power
Of Great Partnerships. New York, N.Y.: John Wiley,
1999.
Heil, Gary, Warren Bennis, and Deborah C. Stephens. Douglas
McGregor, Revisited: Managing the Human Side of the
Enterprise. New York, N.Y.: John Wiley, 2000.
MAJOR WORKS OF WARREN BENNIS
Mitroff, Ian, and Warren Bennis. The Unreality Industry: The
Deliberate Manufacturing of Falsehood and What It Is
Doing to Our Lives. New York, N.Y.: Oxford, 1989.
Tichy, Noel M, and Warren Bennis. Judgment: How Winning
Leaders Make Great Calls. New York, N.Y.: Penguin,
2007.
THE END