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 criteria 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 i.e. 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 (through 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" in such a situation: If you ARE not IT, then you identify with it, you try to become it though desire, you try to grasp it..... "Da eben wo Verwirklichung fehlt, da stellt zur rechten Zeit eine Identifikation sich ein...."(after Goethe). Or like Dutch say: "Ben je het niet, dan maak je je ergens meester van" ("If you are NOT a Master, then you take possession of it). 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". Because the lack of inner reference, they constantly worry about their "spiritual presentation". Everything depends on 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. Instead you take the lead in sharing the concerns of the people around you, f.i. if they - just like you - have housing, a reasonable income, can afford to buy organic food, or - in case of middle incomes - have enough money to install solar panels on their roofs.

It becomes more serious 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. They offer trainings in "being your self", "mindfulness", "vision quest", "flexibility", "optimizing energy" etc. The latter are supposed to be "personal abilities" only, carefully avoiding the PURPOSE BEHIND "spiritual" self-improvement.  So, one topic is carefully avoided: the fact, that spirituality has to serve the material aims of the company: profit maximalisation, economic growth, exploitation and injustice

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 contradict themselves. Serving the Whole, on the other hand, is including everything, without exception 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(lessness) 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 criteria 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". 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 spiritual 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 a life with trials and errors, exercise (meditation), surrender and service to the Whole. To those who (still) have a little difficulty to understand 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, decent, 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.