In the mid-80’s I had the chance to meet and spend time with Max De Pree while I was a student at Fuller Seminary. His book, Leadership Is an Art, had been assigned in a class and he was also a board member at Fuller. I became a huge fan and have spent my ministry career seeking to develop the art of leadership in the churches I have served. There are a multitude of books detailing the science of leadership but very few extolling the art of leadership.

Leadership Is an Art

Max De Pree was the Chairman of Herman Miller, Inc., during an especially creative period for the furniture design company. He was also a Fuller Theological Seminary board member and the inspiration and namesake for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership. De Pree authored several highly regarded leadership books including Leadership Is an Art, Leadership Jazz: The Essential Elements of a Great Leader, Leading Without Power, and Called to Serve: Creating and Nurturing the Effective Volunteer Board.

Leadership Is an Art presents a unique perspective on leadership that emphasizes two key concepts:

1. Leadership as stewardship: De Pree views leadership not as a position of power, but as a responsibility to serve others and nurture the organization’s values and culture.

2. Defining reality and expressing gratitude: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader” (pg. 11).

 The book outlines De Pree’s view of a leader’s core duties. Enabling others to reach their potential: According to De Pree, empowering followers to achieve their personal and institutional potential is a key aspect of leadership.

Focus on relationships and values: De Pree stresses the importance of building relationships, initiating ideas, and creating a lasting value system within an organization.

Participative management: The book advocates for inclusive decision-making processes and recognizing the diverse gifts and talents of team members.

Measuring leadership through followers: De Pree suggests that the true measure of leadership is seen in the growth, learning, and achievements of the followers.

Leadership as an ongoing learning process: De Pree views leadership as an art to be learned over time through practice and experience, rather than simply by reading books.

Overall, Leadership is An Art expresses a values-based approach to leadership that emphasizes serving others, fostering developmental growth, and building a strong organizational culture based on shared values and effective relationships wherein team members enjoy the status of being co-creators.