When prophets speak to kings: Air Force chaplains and the praxis of leadership advisement

Glen E. Harris Jr.

Etd

When prophets speak to kings: Air Force chaplains and the praxis of leadership advisement

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Glen E. Harris Jr. When Prophets Speak to Kings: Air Force Chaplains and the Praxis of Leadership Advisement. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ea9638c4-c467-4478-8885-e3f57068a0dd.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

G. E. H. Jr. When prophets speak to kings: Air Force chaplains and the praxis of leadership advisement. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ea9638c4-c467-4478-8885-e3f57068a0dd

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Glen E. Harris Jr. When Prophets Speak to Kings: Air Force Chaplains and the Praxis of Leadership Advisement. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ea9638c4-c467-4478-8885-e3f57068a0dd.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Glen E. Harris Jr.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand how Air Force chaplains advise superior military leaders on religious and ethical matters. Specifically, the qualitative research addressed what informs Air Force chaplains’ understanding of leadership, what Air Force chaplains do as they advise military leaders, what challenges are faced by Air Force chaplains in advising leaders, and how Air Force chaplains evaluate their own effectiveness in advising military leaders.The findings were, first, that Air Force chaplains develop their understanding of leadership advisement primarily through experience. Some rely on the theological concepts of pastoral identity to buttress their experience, but years of trial and error in the core capability is the dominant path. Furthermore, chaplains rely on a nexus of communication and collaboration with the senior leaders they advise. And they adopt an approach inclusive of both data and relationship, with the latter being paramount. They also see spiritual care and leadership advisement as being two closely interrelated acts of pastoral ministry. Next, the challenges that Air Force chaplains face in advisement involve primarily power differentials and information fidelity. Finally, chaplains evaluate their effectiveness in leadership advisement in terms of building healthy organizational climates and building trust with senior leaders, even while struggling with questions of ineffectiveness and self-doubt. The study provided three primary conclusions. First, chaplains would benefit from scenario-based coursework early in their careers to jettison the trend of experience-only development in advising leaders. Second, integrating emotional intelligence into the corporate ethos of the Air Force Chaplain Corps synergizes future success in leadership advisement by giving chaplains the boldness and courage to wield a pastoral and yet prophetic voice. Third, for a chaplain to lead a senior leader with advisement that is both on target and on time, they must first be skilled followers or “second chair leaders”.

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