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
- 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 […] - 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 […] - 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 […] - 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 […] - 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, […] - 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 […]
Other 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 […] - 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 […] - 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, Asian Access
Rev. Joseph W Handley, Jr., Ph.D. is currently president of Asian Access and serves ex-officio on the Board of Directors.
Background
Joe was born and raised in Southern California. He attended Azusa Pacific University where he earned a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in Theology. Joe served nine years at Azusa Pacific University where he was the founding director of their Office of World Missions and leader of one of the first multi-national high school mission congresses in Mexico City in 1996. The Lord then called him to Rolling Hills Covenant Church in 1998 where Joe served as the Global Outreach Pastor and later the Associate Pastor for Outreach Ministries. In July of 2008, Joe answered the call of God to become the fourth president of Asian Access, a leader development movement that began in 1967.
Overarching Vision
Joe strives to develop leaders for missional movements across Asia. 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 Asian Access, Joe is a contributing blogger for the Billy Graham Center’s Gospel Life Blog. He is also the senior advisor for leader development with the International Orality Network. He serves on the advisory teams for ELEVATE, BiblicalTraining.org, and DualReach. Joe is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary.
Personal
Joe met Silk while students at Azusa Pacific University. They married in 1990 and are presently living in Tokyo, Japan. The Handleys have three grown children: Becca who is married to Lowell, Rachel who is engaged to Quan, and John who is attending Merton College at Oxford University reading Politics, Philosophy and Economics as an undergraduate student.Learn more about the Handleys
About Asian Access
Asian Access (A2) is a vibrant community that changes the few who change the many. We are an interdenominational movement working throughout Asia to identify, develop and release leaders of missional movements. We’re focused on empowering key leaders who will lead the Church with vision, character and competence. We are becoming a vibrant community of leaders in twenty countries of Asia, who will unite the Church, extend the Kingdom, and transform the cultures of Asia for the glory of God.
