Finding Management Principles of Leadership, Power, and Influence in the Story of Esther: A Faith Integration Assignment

Abstract

This paper describes an assignment for a principles of management course which connects the leadership principles of power and influence and the story of Esther. Students are required to apply power/influence concepts, including sources of power, contingencies, influence tactics, and followers’ response to two main characters in the Esther story. Students then apply those concepts to a contemporary leader, preferably a personal acquaintance of theirs. The hope is that students will develop application skills and also discover that contemporary management principles are evident in biblical literature. Ideas are also shared for adapting this assignment to other management courses and other biblical characters.