In this episode of Shop Talk with Brandi and James, Brandi and James talk with Ralph Schubert, Leadership Development Coordinator for SIL Eurasia. Ralph brings decades of cross-cultural ministry and leadership experience, including 13 years with SIL in Tanzania followed by 10 years as Director of Personnel with Wycliffe Germany. Since 2017, he has focused on leadership development for SIL Eurasia, with a particular passion for helping leaders flourish and fostering healthy relationships within teams and organizations.
The conversation begins by looking at the distinctions between leaders, leadership, and management and what it actually means to develop someone as a leader. Ralph discusses leadership development as more than acquiring management skills—it involves the ongoing growth of the person as well as the way they influence and serve others.
The conversation begins by looking at the distinctions between leaders, leadership, and management and what it actually means to develop someone as a leader. Ralph discusses leader development as more than acquiring management skills—it involves the ongoing growth of the person as well as the way they influence and serve others.
The discussion then turns to why leader development matters, both for individual leaders and for the culture of an organization. Leader development does not stop with the leader; it has a trickle-down impact on the teams and individuals they lead. The episode considers what happens when organizations intentionally invest in their leaders—and what can happen when they do not.
Ralph also addresses the challenge of getting leaders to invest in their own development, including the individual and organizational resistance that can sometimes occur. The conversation explores feedback, coaching, assessment, and the importance of creating a culture where continued learning and growth are viewed as a normal part of being a leader.
Finally, Ralph offers practical guidance for building a leader development plan. Intentional development can begin with the support and input of a supervisor, HR manager, or leadership coach (Like Ralph) to identify areas for growth and establish meaningful goals. Training, mentoring, coaching, experience, and feedback can all contribute to that process. It starts with it being an essential aspect of the leader job description. Ralph and James also challenges organizations to highly value leader development and be willing to dedicate the people, resources, and structures needed to help their leaders continue to grow.
Resources
For SIL Eurasia staff, access the Portal (Internal Website) — Leadership & Management
Leadership and management resources for continued learning and development.
A Christian-Ethical Comparison of Leadership Styles in the West and in Tanzania and Their Impact on Cross-Cultural Partnerships — Ralph Ipyana Schubert
Ralph’s dissertation examines Western and Tanzanian approaches to leadership, including character, relationships, power, conflict, and their implications for cross-cultural partnerships (Ralph Schubert’s Dissertation — University of South Africa)
Leadership and Partnership — Ralph Ipyana Schubert
Ralph’s book further explores leadership in cross-cultural contexts and its relationship to effective partnership. Leadership and Partnership
