On Leadership. . .
One of the goals in our hospital’s strategic plan is to start a hospital wide leadership program. When we went to find material, we were stumped. None existed for a Christian Healthcare system that met our needs – so we decided to write it.
We had every leader in the hospital nominate an emerging leader for the committee. Then we sent a survey out to our leaders and staff to define our strengths and weaknesses. We talked to leaders in the field who had set up similar programs in secular hospitals. We met as group and mind mapped and brainstormed – then we plugged in the major themes and narrowed in down to 8 core modules. Over the last 6 months we have met as a smaller group to expand, refine, and consolidate the curriculum, and we are very close to finishing it.
The outline looks like this, and we are so excited to share it with our teams, launching as a pilot with active feedback gathering.
| Module / Corresponding core value | Theme & Core Questions | Key Topics / Activities |
| PART 1 | IDENTITY | ||
| Servant & Missional Leadership Compassion | How do we lead the Kijabe way—rooted in Christ‑like service? | Servant Leadership – definition Biblical foundation of servant leadership Styles of leadership – comparison Practicing with humility & integrity |
| AICKH Leadership Identity Compassion | Who are we as leaders at Kijabe Hospital? | Values & Ethics Leadership Roles & Expectations Kijabe Competency Framework Signature Traits of a AICKH Leader |
| PART 2 | VISION & OPERATIONS | ||
| Visionary & Strategic Leadership Accountability/ Innovation | How do we shape the future of AICKH and sustain performance? | Vision casting & sharing Strategic planning frameworks Implementation & performance management Leading in a changing world |
| Operational & Change ManagementAccountability/ Innovation | How do we run and improve AICKH services? | Leader vs. manager mind‑setsBusiness‑planning basics Identifying problems, designing interventions, QI cycles Using data for decisions |
| Part 3 | TECHNIQUES & SKILLS | ||
| Communication & InfluenceEmployee engagement/ Accessibility | How do AICKH leaders communicate to inform, involve, and inspire? | Clear information‑sharing Active listening & feedback culture Crucial conversations Generations understanding & ‘management’ |
| Conflict & Difficult ConversationsEmployee engagement/ Accountability | How do we navigate tension with wisdom and courage? | Biblical perspective and wisdom on conflict “Doing hard things” graciously Mediation tools Restoring relationshipsDisciplinary measures/process |
| Coaching & Multiplication Employee engagement/ Compassion | How do we raise others to lead? | Coaching vs. mentoring Delegation that develops Career & succession planning Building multiplying teams |
Each module has a distinct voice, written by a different leader or person growing in leadership. . .we anchored it in our core values as an institution and our understanding of the example of Jesus in leadership.
One of the other side things I have done while designing it is stretched my AI and Gemini muscles (with the help of my sister, Alli). . .if you haven’t played with it you should. . .below are a few of the tables and drawings that we have generated to illustrate the concepts in the book.
EXCERPT:
here is the first devotion in the curriculum. . .orienting the program to the One who Leads us all
Read John 13: 1-14.
In this story, Jesus gives us the clearest picture of servant leadership when He kneels to wash His disciples’ feet. This was a task reserved for the lowest servant, yet the King of Kings chose to do what was needed. Jesus did not lead from a distance or demand honor; instead, He stepped into humility, meeting a practical need while teaching a deeper spiritual truth.
As He washed their feet, Jesus was not only serving—He was shaping their hearts. He encouraged them, instructed them, and modeled the kind of leadership that puts others first. He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). While emphasizing his place of leadership, he pointed out the need for service. Leadership in God’s kingdom is not about position; it is about love expressed through action.
At Kijabe, servant leadership means seeing needs, stepping forward with compassion, and leading by example—just as Jesus did.
Prayer: Lord, teach us to lead with humility, serving others as You have served us. Amen.