Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2005 Developmental Processes Critical to the Formation of Servant Leaders in China Thomas William Horn Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, and the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Horn, Thomas William, "Developmental Processes Critical to the Formation of Servant Leaders in China" (2005). Dissertations. 451. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/451 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES CRITICAL TO THE FORMATION OF SERVANT LEADERS IN CHINA A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Thomas William Horn Jr. APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: ch W.'BaumeartAer Dean, Scnbol of Education James Jeffery Member: Shirley A. Freed insdale Bernard NÏember^^lephen Hoke C i » External: Russell L. Staples Date approved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES CRITICAL TO THE FORMATION OF SERVANT LEADERS IN CHINA by Thomas William Horn Jr. Chair: Erich W. Baumgartner Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University School of Education Title: DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES CRITICAL TO THE FORMATION OF SERVANT LEADERS IN CHINA Name of researcher: Thomas William Horn Jr. Name and degree of faculty chair: Erich W. Baumgartner, Ph.D. Date completed: December 2005 Problem This study concerns three matters: the leader formation process in general, servant leadership formation in particular, and the application to crossing cultures, with China as the primary context. The central problem of this study revolves aroundleader formation. What events, experiences, people and other formative processes contributed as critical to the formation of exemplary Christian leaders in China? Method The design of this research was a narrative, qualitative study that explored the central phenomenon of leader formation. The researcher was the instrument to collect data through in-depth interviews. This study purposefully selected three exemplary Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Christian Chinese leaders. The participants were asked to share their life stories by recounting the significant formative processes. This questioning was done inductively by asking broad, general questions, without bringing preconceived notions to bear. Participant selection included people of different ages in order to describe from multiple perspectives what was formative in the past as well as the present. The differences between the participants provided sufficient coverage so that their combined stories elicited common themes. Results J. Robert Clinton’s Leadership Emergence Theory was the theoretical framework for assessing leader formation. The research concluded that leader formation among Chinese Christian leaders occurred mostly through nonformal or informal education, with mentoring and modeling playing a significant role. Of the several process items considered, suffering (internal and external) came across as the most significant life- shaping experience. Formation of being overshadowed formation of knowing and doing. China is changing dramatically, and future leader formation must prepare people to grow holistically while serving the complex challenges of society. Conclusions The exemplary Chinese leader embodies honorable qualities and has undergone challenging developmental processes. Chinese culture and worldview have shaped this person’s life, as in every culture. However, the exemplary Christian Chinese leader has been subject to formative processes that are sometimes unique and often distinct from what is considered normative leadership development elsewhere. Suggestions toward a Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. universal leadership model were presented. Leader formation globally can learn much from understanding the qualities and developmental processes critical to the formation of the exemplary Chinese leader. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. To Jesus Christ, the Supreme Servant Leader Who is worthy of emulation by all people in all cultures. To my godly wife, Lisa, with love and gratitude. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................................... viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...........................................................................................................ix Chapter I. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................... 1 Foreword...............................................................................................................................1 Background of the Problem...............................................................................................5 Statement of the Problem................................................................................................... 6 Purpose of the Study...........................................................................................................8 Research Question.............................................................................................................. 8 Methodological Assumptions..........................................................................................10 The Researcher as the Research Instrument..................................................................11 Rationale for the Study.....................................................................................................11 Theoretical Foundations....................................................................................................12 Significance of the Study................................................................................................. 15 Definitions of Terms......................................................................................................... 15 Limitations of the Study....................................................................................................16 Delimitations of the Study............................................................................................... 17 Chapter Summary and Dissertation Outline..................................................................17 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ON SERVANT LEADER FORMATION IN CHINA 19 Introduction........................................................................................................................ 19 Chinese Leaders and Leadership..................................................................................... 19 Chinese Biographical Insights.............................................................................