The courage to be a spiritual leader in the age of the “new normal”: Alfred Adler reconsidered

Abstract

This chapter delves into the issue of life-career development for spiritual leaders in the “age of new normal.” The chapter begins by examining the concept of spiritual leadership in times of chaos and uncertainty. It then proceeds to discuss the progressive transformation of young people into leaders with a positive outlook on society, emphasizing the importance of nurturing courage. Drawing on the pedagogical and counseling work of Alfred Adler, the chapter explores Adlerian concepts from a spiritual perspective and their relevance to spiritual leadership development as a personal transformative experience in youth work. The chapter highlights Adler’s emphasis on social interest or community feeling as integral to personal growth, making it possible to apply Adlerian psychology to building the life-career capacities of young people and spiritual leaders in a world of global risk. Overall, the chapter emphasizes the potential of Adlerian concepts to inform the development of spiritual leadership skills in today’s uncertain world, offering insights into building resilience and hope in times of crisis.