The Divine Leadership Framework
Business enthusiasts open to fresh, unconventional perspectives on organizational structure, ideally would have an interest in understanding leadership and operational dynamics from a religious lens, and are open to the idea of drawing parallels between divine entities and corporate roles.
What if the Universe was a giant corporation, and the Holy Trinity; God the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit were the corporate Executives and the 24 Elders the Board of directors. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to reduce the majesty of the divine to a corporate structure, but bear with me, this thought experiment might just shed some light on how large organizations could operate.
God the Father as the CEO and Figurehead
God the Father, he’s the CEO – the figurehead of the whole operation. He’s got the big vision, the grand design. He’s the one who set the wheels in motion, built the first MVP for the Universe, and laid down the laws of physics. As Albert Einstein once said, “God does not play dice with the universe.” He’s the strategic thinker, the planner, the one who sees the big picture and has the final say.
Drawing from this illustration, a CEO should aim to lead with wisdom, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose. By providing clear direction and remaining approachable and understanding. Howbeit apt as may be, God is so much more than just a figure head.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Philippians gives us an insight into the divine economy, suggesting that much more than being CEO, God is CFO, CRO, CPO the Chief Financial/Resource/Product Officer and more. He is beyond one role definition because he is omnipotent, meaning all-powerful; omniscient, meaning all-knowing; and omnipresent, meaning present everywhere at all times
Jesus as the Marketer and Head of Outreach
Then we have Jesus, the ultimate Head of Marketing and Outreach. Think about it, he’s the face of the brand, the one everyone recognizes. He’s out there, spreading the message, connecting with people, making the brand relatable. His parables? Those were content marketing before it was a thing. He knew how to tell a story that stuck with you, made you think, and most importantly, made you share it with others.
Jesus’ approach to spreading His message was deeply personal and authentic. He connected with individuals, empathized with their struggles, and offered hope and guidance. Similarly, a company’s marketing lead should focus on genuinely understanding and addressing the needs of its target audience, fostering trust and loyalty.
The Holy Spirit as the Chief Operations Officer
And the Holy Spirit, well, that’s the Chief Operations Officer. The Holy Spirit is the one that’s in the trenches, making things happen. It’s the power that acts in the world, guiding, comforting, and inspiring people. It’s the driving force that keeps the day-to-day operations running smoothly and ensures the message gets delivered.
Taking inspiration from the Holy Spirit, a COO should be adaptable, responsive, and supportive, guiding the team members to reach their full potential. By fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication, the COO can ensure that the organization remains agile and efficient in its pursuits.
The 24 Elders as the board of directors.
They’re mentioned in Revelation 4:4 as sitting around the throne, clothed in white garments with golden crowns on their heads. They are seen as wise and venerable, deserving of respect, much like a board of directors in a company. They don’t run the day-to-day operations, but they have a say in major decisions.
There is a group we are not accounting for in all of this, and these are the Angels (“more like employees”) in the grand scheme, howbeit with different roles (Gabriel: communications) and (Michael: Security & Warfare). How would you describe them?
Remember this is all just a thought experiment, a fun way to try and get our heads around the unfathomable grandeur of the divine. Don’t take it too seriously, and feel free to come up with your own thoughts and ideas!