Psychodynamic Sociology > Leadership

I have been reading Peter Northouse's Leadership. His published works are not declaratively Christian, but being a man in pursuit of truth (scientific or absolute), he offers much insight into leadership processes that can be supported biblically. Here is my summary/brainstorm of his work on psychodynamic sociological developmental processes (gained personality) and how it affects leadership.

The psychodynamic approach to leadership suggests that an individual can change his behaviors and feelings through better understanding of his own psychological development. Several aspects of personality development have been identified, including family background (parenting, family of origin), individuation, prior relationships, dependence, counter-dependence, independence, regression, repression, and the shadow self. If one can understand his own character, by personality assessment through situation-based questions, he can essentially discern the aspects of psychosocial development that have contributed to his present personality framework. This framework, when understood, can be valuable in discerning how to interact with one's subordinates. If an incompatibility arises, counseling or workshops can allow for correction to a point of functional cooperation. The leaders in developing psychosocial analysis were Freud and Jung. The two leading personality assessment profiles are the Jungian and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

The Bible confirms some of the assumptions of a psychodynamic leadership approach. Some theoretical assumptions of the approach can not be expressly supported biblically, but are not in contrast with known biblical principles (they are biblical in as much as they are not non-biblical).

Every personality is shaped through God's refinement and introduction of various trials, life events, and background details.

James 1:3...knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance...

Family situations, a product of the Lord's will and allowance, are considered by some psychoanalysts as the most important aspect in the formation of psychosocial traits.

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,And before you were born I consecrated you...

Hebrews 11:23
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child...

The Bible suggests, as did Northouse, that through counseling and concentrated effort, a personality can be shaped, “improved,” or brought under control (repression) to allow for the successful interaction and functioning of a team or “leader-subordinate” environment.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you...

Ephesians 4:15
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ...

1 Peter 2:13
[ Honor Authority ] Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority...