Polycentric Leadership is a New Model for Global Leadership
Polycentric Leadership is a collaborative, communal leadership empowering multiple centers of influence and a diverse array of leaders to meet today’s challenges.
Six Traits on Polycentric Leadership
In my research of effective leadership, I discovered six distinct traits that, when deployed together, empower our teams to thrive. These are those six traits:
More on the Six Traits
- Charismatic Trait
Polycentric Leadership is charismatic. Charisma includes a strong foundation and a strong set of core values. Charisma is more than just having charismatic personality. It involves strength of character, trustworthiness, and a faithful presence. Charisma is… Read more: Charismatic Trait - Communal Trait
Polycentric Leadership is always communal in nature. Leading through COMMUNITY is integral to polycentric leadership. In the fellowship and family-like atmosphere of serving together, leaders gain perspective and insight from one another and are better able to function… Read more: Communal Trait - Collaborative Trait
Polycentric Leaders lead in a collaborative way. COLLABORATION includes working together in a shared participative manner. Effective leaders must be collaborative in their approach, willing to work in team-centered paradigms where no one rises above the others… Read more: Collaborative Trait - Relational Trait
Polycentric Leaders are relational leaders. RELATIONSHIP—spending time with one another, getting to know one another, and going beyond just working together—is imperative. Leading well involves a depth of relationship that goes beyond partnership or collaboration. It… Read more: Relational Trait - Entrepreneurial Trait
Polycentric Leadership exhibits a bold entrepreneurial spirit. Self-governance and freedom are crucial for local teams to operate effectively. ENTREPRENEURIAL FREEDOM engenders effective leadership. This is especially true for successful startups that thrive in a culture of risk-taking,… Read more: Entrepreneurial Trait - Diverse Trait
Polycentric Leadership leverages diverse leaders and styles. Leaders who value and recognize DIVERSITY are able to work across regions, networks, and cultures. The diversity of leadership gifts described in Ephesians 4 is paramount. For diversity to be fully… Read more: Diverse Trait
Additional Introductory Articles
- Leading Mission Movements
Published in Evangelical Missions Quarterly; used by permission from Missio Nexus by Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D. Over the past eight years I have been researching various aspects of leadership to gain a deeper understanding of how to lead… Read more: Leading Mission Movements - A Leadership Model for a Polarized World
Introducing Polycentric Leadership The past thirteen months have been one of the most disruptive seasons in my lifetime. A global pandemic, one of the worst economies of the century, and a divisive political environment were all contributors. We… Read more: A Leadership Model for a Polarized World - Discussing Polycentric Leadership
Asia Leadership Development Network recently interviewed Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D. about polycentric leadership for its Unleash podcast. Here’s the video from that episode, and it’s a great introduction to PCL…
About Dr. Joseph W. Handley, Jr.
BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE
Joseph W. Handley, Jr.,
President, A3
Rev. Joseph W Handley, Jr., Ph.D. is currently president of A3 and serves ex-officio on the Board of Directors.
Background
Joe is a seasoned mission leader with over 30 years of global experience. Born and raised in Southern California, he received a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in theology from Azusa Pacific University. In 2020, he completed a Ph.D. in intercultural studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. Joe served nine years at Azusa Pacific University as the founding director of their Office of World Missions and director of one of the first multi-national high school mission congresses in Mexico City in 1996. In 1998 the Lord called him to Rolling Hills Covenant Church where he served as the Global Outreach Pastor and shortly thereafter as Associate Pastor for Outreach Ministries. In July of 2008, Joe answered God’s call becoming the fourth president of A3, a developer of Christ-like leaders seeking to accelerate Christ-centered movements around the world.
Overarching Vision
Joe strives to develop leaders for mission movements wherever he goes. His passion is to come alongside local leaders to encourage and empower them in their calling to reach the world for Christ.
Other Roles
In addition to his role as president of A3, Joe serves as a Catalyst in Leadership Development for the Lausanne Movement and founding member of a new venture called the Galilean Movement. He also serves on the board of BiblicalTraining.org and ReIGNITE Hope. In addition, he sits on the advisory teams for the Nozomi Project and DualReach.
Personal
Joe and Silk (Joseph and Vasilka) met during college at Azusa Pacific University. They married in 1990 and are presently living in Los Angeles, California (USA). The Handleys have three adult children. Rebecca is married to Lowell and is a social media manager and coordinator of writers. Rachel is married to Quan and is a visual journalist. John is moving to London and accepting a job as an analyst assessing media bias.
About A3
A3 is a community that changes the few who change the many. They serve around the world to accelerate Christ-centered movements through equipping and unifying Christ-like leaders. Their primary focus is on empowering influential leaders who seek to unite the Body of Christ, equip and reproduce others, and foster Spirit-led change.
