Seven Scales to Measure the Seven Beatitudes in Leaders

Background

This study builds on Winston’s (2002) conceptual work about the Beatitudes from Matthew 5: 3-10 being the values base of leadership. No valid scale development work has been done on Winston’s conceptual propositions or, for that matter, on the beatitudes as related to leadership. A premise for this paper is that each beatitude of the seven found in Matthew 5: 3-10 is a separate concept and, as such, we developed a separate scale. As a corollary to this the authors posit that ‘Beatitude’ in general is not a single concept and as such neither attempted to, nor believe that there should be a single instrument to measure ‘Beatitude’ in which the intent would be to have seven scales within the single instrument. This study produced seven instruments – one instrument for each of the seven Beatitudes.

The word “beatitude’ does not exist in the Bible but is a term, according to Langan (1977), that means ‘happiness’. Winston (2002) suggested that a leader’s foundational values yield beliefs, beliefs yield intentions, and intentions yield behavior. Winston further posits that a leader’s behavior forms the follower's attitude, and the follower's attitude affects the follower’s behavior (p. IV). Bass and Steidlmeier (1999) noted, “with the renewed emphasis upon strategic leadership and ethics, the virtues and moral character of leaders have taken centered stage” (p.194). Winston’s suggestion established a circular pattern of the leader’s behavior influencing the formation of the followers’ behavior, which, in turn influences or reinforces the leader’s behavior. The concept of leader-follower influence is not new to leadership research and is incorporated in one’s personal and group efficacy belief (Bandura, 1997). Nonetheless, Winston’s concept is unique in its premise that Agapao love forms the basis of such leader-follower influence and it is foundational to effective leader behavior. Furthermore, Winston associated the above behaviors with the values Jesus articulated in the Beatitudes contained in the Sermon of the Mount and found in the gospel of Matthew 5:3-9. In these Beatitudes, Jesus exhorted his followers to (a) demonstrate humility and a willingness to learn, (b) have compassion for others, (c) exhibit controlled discipline, wisdom, and compassion, (d) be highly focused, and (e) be a peacemaker. These characteristics represent the “inward traits and principles that a godly person possesses” (p. 135). Winston’s incorporation of Agapao love, which is a manifestation of one’s spiritual principles, is the foundation of the values. This argument links spirituality and leadership a concept which is gaining popularity among researchers and leadership practitioners (Burke, 2006; Fry, 2003; Klenke, 2005; Kriger & Seng, 2005; Mitroff & Denton, 1999).