Meaningful Leadership

By Christina DeMara

Do you ever wonder how to be a Christian leader in a world that doesn't' always recognize faith?

Do you know the difference between leaders and Christian leaders?

Did you know that your faith can help you build indestructible relationships?

Author, Christina DeMara holds four college degrees and is an educational and business leader. After years of developing educational and business leaders, Christina set forth on a leadership journey to study her two passions, Christianity and leadership. Along the way her curiosity grew, questioning "What is the difference between leaders and Christian leaders?"

When we think about leadership, we often think about positional power and the big paycheck. We don't see goodness or faith. Over a six-year period, Christina studied leadership theory, analyzed her professional experiences, and reviewed scholarly research.

Christina DeMara formed two true consensuses.

First, she asserts Christian leaders possess a deeper mindfulness of intentionality, like God.

Second, Christian leaders possess a deeper mindfulness of approaching tasks with their faith in mind.

With these foundational truths, Meaningful Leaders can pave the way to applying intentional leadership principles that are beneficial to the organization and the team. Meaningful Leadership will take you from "what does research say" to "what does the Bible say."When our faith grows, so does everything around us.

This book will teach you how to lead from a heart of faith. Whether you lead a corporation, restaurant, Etsy store, or a home, this book is for anyone who wants to lead with their eyes on God and build indestructible relationships.

This new book includes:

Thought Provoking Meaningful Leadership

Meaningful Leadership Considerations

Meaningful Leadership Inventory

The Meaningful Leadership Grid for Self-Growth and Self-AccountabilityA Scholarly Bibliography

What are people saying about Meaningful Leadership?

"All I can say is Wow, Wow and Double Wow!!! I love it. I can't wait to buy it and give some to friends as gifts. Everyone needs to read this book." -Della Fay Perez-Rodriguez, Attorney, CEO of Angels of Love (Nonprofit), and Certified Dreambuilder Life Coach

"The research connected to biblical context is a very powerful concept. We learn the consequences of both great and poor leadership throughout the Bible. I would love to see this in the hands of every pastor, church leadership team, and leader in the secular world. This is a great concept!" -Chastity Jeff, CEO of Arete Learning Group

• Language: English
• Publisher: DeMara-Kirby & Associates, LLC.
• Release date: Dec 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781947442252

Christina DeMara

Christina is an advocate for kindness. She loves writing books, swimming, listening to worship music, learning, leading, teaching, trying new restaurants, and living life significantly.  She is the creator and author who coined the leadership theories Meaningful Leadership and Early Life Leadership in Children. Christina is a high school dropout and holds three master's degrees from the University of Texas--one in Special Education, one in Educational Administration and Leadership, and one in Curriculum and Instruction. She later studied and researched business and leadership extensively through Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.  Christina is best known for the creativity found in her books and journals. Two of her favorite books are Early Life Leadership in Girls Workbook, and her faith-based book titled; I'm Not Broken: The Power of Prayer, Scripture, and Interactive Journaling.   

Book preview

Meaningful Leadership

Christina DeMara

Published by DeMara-Kirby & Associates, LLC., 2018.

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

MEANINGFUL LEADERSHIP

First edition. December 3, 2018.

Copyright © 2018 Christina DeMara.

ISBN: 978-1947442252

Written by Christina DeMara.

Also by Christina DeMara

Early Life Leadership

Early Life Leadership in the Classroom: Resources, Strategies & Tidbits to Grow Great Leaders

Standalone

Isaiah 43:2 40 Days of Scriptures, Journaling & Reflection for the Lent Season

Meaningful Leadership

Igniting Leadership: 50 Research-Based Strategies for Life and Work

I'm Not Broken

Watch for more at Christina DeMara’s site.

Meaningful Leadership

How to Build Indestructible Relationships with Your Team Members Through Intentionality and Faith

Christina DeMara

Author of I’m Not Broken & Early Life Leadership in Children

When we intentionally try to see things the way God sees them; when we try to see God in everything and everyone around us, only then can we truly set forth on our leadership journey to be and understand what He has created us to be.

- Christina DeMara

All Rights Reserved

Meaningful Leadership: How to Build Indestructible Relationships with Your Team Members Through Intentionality and Faith

Published by DeMara-Kirby & Associates, LLC.

McAllen, Texas 78504

Printed in the United States of America

U.S. Copyright Office ©2018, Christina DeMara

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher and author.

Christina DeMara and her affiliate DeMara-Kirby & Associates, LLC. are committed to planting seeds of faith and personal growth. For public speaking engagements or bulk book orders, please contact us at christinademara.com.

All commentary and scripture references are taken from the public domains, World English Bible, Holy Bible, and King James versions.

Disclaimer: Meaningful Leadership is based on the research, professional opinion, and experiences of the author, and it promises nothing to the reader, nor is the author or her affiliate reasonable for the actions of the reader.

Also by Christina DeMara

My Prayer Book

Peace is Mine

The Forgiveness Journal

I’m Not Broken

The Power of Prayer, Scripture, and Interactive Journaling

How God Saved Me

My Mother’s Memoirs on Abuse, Depression & Overeating

The I Am Journal

A Soul-Searching Journal for Creative Women of God

Isaiah 43:2

40 Days of Scriptures, Reflection, and Journaling for the Lent Season

Christina DeMara’s

Early Life Leadership Books & Resources

Early Life Leadership in Children

101 Strategies to Grow Great Leaders

Early Life Leadership

101 Conversation Starters and Writing Prompts

Early Life Leadership Workbook

101 Strategies to Grow Great Leaders

Early Life Leadership Workbook for Girls

101 Strategies to Grow Great Leaders

Early Life Leadership Kids Journal

Early Life Leadership in the Classroom

Resources, Strategies & Tidbits to Grow Great Leaders

Christina DeMara’s

Meaningful Books & Resources

Meaningful Leadership

How to Build Indestructible Relationships with Your

Team Members Through Intentionality and Faith

Meaningful Leadership Journal

Meaningful Leadership Prayer Journal

Meaningful Teacher Leadership

Reflection, Refinement, and Student Achievement

Meaningful Writing & Self-Publishing

Your Guide to Igniting Your Pen, Faith, Creativity & Entrepreneurship

A Note to the Reader

Dear Meaningful Leader,

The world often paints a false picture of leadership. The world says being at the top means we sit back, let everything run itself, and the money piles up. That could not be further from the truth. Most leaders are hardworking and understand the importance of being part of a strong team. I have studied and researched different leadership theories, such as the Full Range Model, Emotional Intelligence, and Servant Leadership. And yes, all these theories and models can be useful and interesting, but I did not feel a consuming connection with those theories. They didn't fully resonate with me. As I continued to read and research, I could not find one leadership doctrine that ignited something in me and aligned with my belief system.

As a believer in God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, my faith comes first in my life, so I started mapping my leadership doctrine with one question in mind, What does my leadership belief system look like? Through my questioning and research, Meaningful Leadership was birthed. Meaningful Leaders are intentional and give everything meaning, as God did when He created the Earth and our bodies. I wrote this book, hoping to give the world a small glimpse of my leadership mind and soul. I hope that Meaningful Leadership provokes your thinking, ignites your need for action, and stirs up your soul.

With Warm Wishes and a Heart of Gratitude,

Christina DeMara

CONTENTS

Also by Christina DeMara

Early Life Leadership Books & Resources

Meaningful Books & Resources

A Note to the Reader

What is Meaningful Leadership?

Meaningful Action

Meaningful Conflict

Meaningful Service

Meaningful Conversations

Meaningful Experiences

Meaningful Giving

Meaningful Knowledge

Meaningful Meetings

Meaningful Prayer

Meaningful Relationships

Meaningful Living

Meaningful Hands

Meaningful Mindset

Meaningful Self

The Holy Spirit in the Workplace

At the End of the Day…

Meaningful Leadership Prayer

The Meaningful Leadership Grid

MEANINGFUL LEADERSHIP INVENTORY

Scripture Reading Log

About the Author

Connect With Christina

Bless This Book

Questions?

Chapter 1

What is Meaningful Leadership?

Introduction

A

s I set forth on my journey to study two passions; my faith and leadership, I had a burning question within me: What is the difference between leaders and Christian leaders? Over a six-year period, I studied leadership theory, research, and different experiences from many industries and walks of life. I came to two consensuses:

Christian leaders possess a deeper mindfulness of intentionality, like God.

Christian leaders possess a deeper mindfulness of approaching tasks with their faith in mind.

Meaningful Leadership Definition:

To lead intentionally with a faith-based perspective that concentrates on meaningful relationships and tasks.

In chapter one, I will be going over different examples of meaningfulness in the world, and why it is essential.

At an early age, children go to school intending to learn the schoolhouse basics of reading, math, colors, and shapes. However, what many non-educators do not see or understand is the accountability systems in place for each child and teacher by the state and federal government. We have since moved away from the basics to a more target-focused lesson, meaningful hands-on activities, and meaningful experiences that enhance student learning. The days of the little red schoolhouse learning are not sufficient for the fast-paced, tech-savvy world we live in today. That is why most school districts are implementing 21st Century Skills.

In education, meaningful learning and critical thinking should be the primary objectives in classrooms. Research shows that meaningful learning experiences are said to have the best learning outcomes. In a classroom study, found that students, receiving only three days of meaningful instruction, still scored significantly higher than students receiving five days of non-meaningful instruction, followed by the three days of meaningful instruction. As the researcher continued with a retention test, it was found after a lapse of two weeks, the group of children who received only meaningful instruction scored higher than students receiving a mixture of non-meaningful and meaningful instruction (Simoneaux, 1992).

One might question why this is so. It’s because meaningful lessons have intentional goals, are data-driven, and connect children to realistic and relevant experiences in the classroom. Successful teachers take students’ learning style and interests into consideration when developing lesson plans and activities. The children are learning and retaining information because the teacher's lessons are intentional, and the students are connecting the lesson to their lives and the world around them. Meaningfulness in the classroom is important because it helps children learn.

If you think about reading, everyone knows that reading to your children is important. Some even read to their children in the womb. How do we make reading meaningful for children? Children must become engaged with reading. Children must understand reading is a way to investigate human life, experience different adventures, and learn about things they are curious about like hobbies, history, and even recipes. But before children learn how to read, they must trust and believe in the reader. Children will hear the reader, but without that trust, the child will not believe and listen. During a meaningful read-aloud, a child listens intently, asks questions, shares experiences and memories, and even expresses how they feel about the story and the characters they see in the book. If the adult reading is intentional by using character-like voices and facial gestures, you will be able to see the engagement of the child. Meaningfulness during interaction with children is vital because it increases in-depth engagement, learning, and retention (Shagari, 2010).

As I explored research on meaningfulness, I found that the art of meaningfulness is starting earlier. This discovery provoked more questions in me, such as, Do the differences between meaningful learning and traditional learning present a gap between young adults entering the workforce and older transactional leaders who have more traditional beliefs systems and work ethic? And, what does the little red schoolhouse have to do with leadership? Everything!

When things change, it's not just one thing that changes, everything shifts. Think of the Earth and the plates that cause earthquakes. They cause a shift that produces a ripple effect. It is the same thing for learning. Our leadership learning starts early, and everything around us has molded it. Learning changes, perceptions change, belief systems change, and leadership changes. 

If we want a better world and stronger ethical leaders, we must be Meaningful Leaders. We must lead meaningfully, not only in the workplace, but with everyone, and especially our children from an early age. Why Meaningful Leaders? Because that is the way