The Abusive Effects of Trauma on Leadership Styles and Performance
Abstract
This Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Major Applied Project (MAP) investigates the relationship between toxic leadership in the military and trauma, particular how trauma can have negative, abusive effects on leadership style and performance. Most research in this area addresses trauma in postvention. This MAP addresses trauma’s potential effect on leadership style and explores the use of a pre-emptive, preventative training. Leadership theory is explored as well as trauma in the form of mental disorders, such as PTSD and narcissism. The author’s experience as an ordained pastor of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, serving as an Army Chaplain, revealed the value of using Luther’s theological perspectives, i.e., theology of the cross, the proper distinction of Law and Gospel, the two realms, and the active and passive forms of righteousness. The theology of the cross is nested with insights from leadership theorists, military and combat assessments, and trauma studies to form a novel leadership theory that allows for Lutheran theology to play a role in preventing or minimising trauma’s negative effects on leadership style and performance and, by extension, have a primary role in one’s decision-making process on leadership theory.
