Religion and Contemporary Management: Moses as a Model for Effective Leadership

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Although few might think of Moses as a 'leader' in the contemporary business and political sense, Moses is not only among the most significant leaders in Western civilization but is also arguably the quintessential example of a powerful leader from whom much can be learned by anyone entering and occupying leadership positions. Various types of leadership approaches are considered that have been advocated by scholars over the past century. Moses' example as described in the Bible is analyzed to assert why Moses' approach makes for an appropriate and compelling form of leadership today. While present leadership and management vocabulary might differ from the Hebrew Bible, many of the notions advocated by modern leadership theorists appear to parallel major behaviors, traits, functions, experiences and actions ascribed to Moses, especially in the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Anyone can view Moses through the lens of a particular religion, whether shared or not, and still learn considerably from the experience. One will find Moses depicted as heroic, charismatic, and certainly empathic. Yet, Moses also shows transactional, transformational and visionary leadership qualities. Hence, 'Religion and Contemporary Management' discerns why Moses represents such an important model of effective leadership for contemporary times.

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The life of Moses, the most famous leader in the Hebrew Bible and revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, is the springboard for Arthur J. Wolak to engagingly discuss the skills needed by leaders today. This book provides the reader with an enjoyable combination of religious reflection, business acumen and innovative entrepreneurship. It is a rich midrash and required reading for any modern manager who recognises that lessons from the past can shed light on and improve their leadership today.
Edward Kessler, MBE, Founder and Director, The Woolf Institute; Fellow, St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge, UK, and Principal, Cambridge Theological Federation, UK

"This book is an interesting study in leadership qualities and many different theories of leadership... [It] would serve as a welcome resource for any person ... in a leadership or management position."
Jewish Bible Quarterly (Vol. 47, No. 2)

In Religion and Contemporary Management: Moses as a Model for Effective Leadership, "Readers will learn as much about leadership in general as they will about Moses and, of course, will take away some pointers on how to improve their skills in this area.
Jewish Independent

Author Bio

Dr. Arthur J. Wolak is President of CMI Chat Media Inc. He received his PhD in management from Macquarie University, Australia, and earned graduate degrees in comparative religion from Gratz College. Wolak has published articles in 'The International Journal of Organizational Analysis', 'The Australasian Canadian Studies Journal' and 'The Jewish Bible Quarterly'.