Examining the Role of Courageous Followership in Avoiding or Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: A Socio-Rhetorical Analysis of Jeremiah 23
Examining the Role of Courageous Followership in Avoiding or Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: A Socio-Rhetorical Analysis of Jeremiah 23
Mark Atterson | 2022
Abstract
Organizations can naively embrace visionary leadership without understanding the dark side of leadership, which surfaces at the highest levels of government, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations. The dark side of leadership can perpetuate toxic, inactive followership and lead to tragic results in organizations and society. In the current study, the researcher explored Jeremiah 23 and sought to better understand the role of courageous followership in avoiding or overcoming the dark side of leadership. The current research fills gaps in the literature concerning more socio-rhetorical studies in the Hebrew Scriptures, especially concerning organizational leadership constructs. Jeremiah 23 is an antecedent passage for many of the shepherd metaphors found in the New Testament. The pericope provides a window into ancient Judah’s fall into toxicity and the divine solution of YHWH. The dark side of leadership and courageous followership are theories that surfaced in the passage. Because of the gaps in the literature regarding these theories, this research provided new and fresh insight into the Jeremiah 23 pericope. The researcher sought to answer three research questions. First, what does a socio-rhetorical analysis of Jeremiah 23 uncover concerning the dark side of leadership and courageous followership? Second, what is the role of courageous followership in avoiding or overcoming the dark side of leadership from Jeremiah 23? Third, how do biblical models of leadership and followership, discovered in Jeremiah 23, compare and contrast with contemporary models of the dark side of leadership and courageous followership? The researcher utilized Robbins’ (1996b) socio-rhetorical textural method for analysis adjusted for the time and place of Judah, pending the fall to Babylon. The analysis included an inner, inter, social and cultural, ideological, and sacred textural analysis of Jeremiah 23. The results of the analyzed data are recorded in Chapter 4. The researcher concludes Chapter 5 with a discussion of the data, answering why this study is relevant and valuable along with practical implications for secular and ecclesial organizations.