Misleading are often appearences. The pope, f.i., obviously, is the leader of the Catholic Church. But is he a spiritual leader, as well?* Everybody says so, but is that complying with reality? From the criterium of "God-Realisation" there are grave doubts. O, sure, he is doing his utmost to impress people with his "holiness", but the fact alone that it takes him so much effort is een indication for not "having the Spirit". Compare him with any Zen monk, the latter clear, free, spontaneous, natural, full of joy and humor......The pope on the other hand "tormented", unnatural, constantly pretending what he is not. If this is the case with the pope, how is it with lesser "gods" among us?

* To a catholic priest it is even undesirable to be holy - spiritual. Already in the first centuries of Christianity it was decided that he should be a functionary of the Church, only! The pope thus finds himself between two stools. "Poor" man.

What we know about Mother Teresa (self confession in her own diary) is that she begged her whole life for God-experience, but never tasted it. No doubt, she was a great leader, but a spiritual leader, as well? The "solution": If you ARE not it, then you identify with it..... "Da eben wo Verwirklichung fehlt, da stellt zur rechten Zeit eine Identifikation sich ein...."(after Goethe). And "If you are NOT a Master, then you take possession of it (HMS). To have a few good ideas, something everybody can, even if it concerns "spiritual ideas" is easy. Unfortunately, concepts, ideas and goals, however "spiritual" don't make you a "spiritual leader"

So, there are many, who are hidden materialists, but who pretend to be "spiritual". Hence, their constant worry about their "spiritual presentation". Everything depends how they impress others. If, on the other hand, you are TRULY spiritual, you don't care about that. You also wouldn't take lucrative jobs, while preaching to others that they should lead a simple life. Your concern is always others, namely if they - just like you - can afford to buy organic food, or - just like you - have enough money to install solar panels on their roofs.

More serious is when "smart" manager boys and girls are putting spirituality in the service of big business. Just like multinationals plunder the ressources of the earth, so they do with spirituality. They grab ideas from everywhere and do as if they invented the wheel. So they talk about a "new vision", "a new way of thinking and acting", "integrity", "universal values", "development of consciousness", "enlightenment" (sic) and (yes) "service to the whole". One topic is carefully avoided: the question of "to what purpose". It concerns the "holy cow" of the economy: profit maximalisation, economic growth, exploitation and injustice

Without carefully and extensively explaining the "to what purpose the integral leadership to a increasingly complex world" with above mentioned authors is leading - spirituality serving profit - people are deliberately led up the garden path. Slogans as above appear to be a farce. Because, how can you "serve the whole" while simultaneously supporting a system that breaks this whole systematically down?

Leaders who behave according to party politics, are rarely (never) SPIRITUAL leaders. Also those who far away lock themselves up in offices and bureaucracies, surrounded by computers, paper and meetings, are a contradiction with oneselves. Serving the Whole, on the other hand, is including everything. Once you REALLY experience this, you will be committed to all people, yes, all "living and non-living" beings. Your connectedness is visible through true effort and solidarity. You live close to reality, small and big. All great spiritual leaders - think again of Gandhi - live among and for the people.

A third criterium is, that spiritual leaders share everything without restriction. They are giving leaders. It is a sign of inner abundance, and that is, in its turn, proof of their direct contact with the Source.

Quite some CEO's seem to go for management theories like "evolutionary leaderschip", something that - like many other approaches - is based on  concepts and speculations, only. Self-Realisation isn't a goal in itself, but  instrumental, it has to serve personal ambition. An appetizing esoteric cover has to conceal that it is all about the "Will to Power". The guru's of this movement are the "prominent" examples of it. They are the proof of the fact that a "nice" philosophy doesn't make you a leader, yet. On the contrary, in most cases this serves as a cover up. True leadership is a calling, an conscious choice for a spiritual Path, in which a deep connectedness, selflessness and service prevail. Qualities that usually emerge only after much effort, exercise (meditation), surrender and service to the Whole.

To those who (still) have a little difficulty to realize where this is all about: "And the devil took Jesus to the mountain and showed him the world. Lord, he said, "if you serve me, I will give you all that is at your feet". Jesus said "Go away satan".....

If, after having read the above it appears that you are "just" a common, good, inspired, talented, reliable, committed and altruistic leader....there is nothing wrong with that! In these most critical of times you are dearly needed.

* Instead of "he" "she" can be read.