The Power Paradox: Why Great Leaders Share It Rather Than Hoard It

What Research Reveals

Thursday, June 25, 2026, 8 am PST

What makes someone a truly great leader? Most people assume it's about gaining more authority, climbing higher, and staying in control. But what if that assumption is wrong?

In many cultures — especially across Latin America — leadership is often seen as a man's domain. Even the Spanish words for "leader" (el jefe, el caudillo, el director) carry a masculine stamp, quietly reinforcing the idea that strong leadership means one person holding all the power. Sound familiar? This "strong man" model is making a comeback worldwide, and many believe it's the key to success in organizations, churches, and governments alike.

But the research tells a very different story.

Dr. Wilmer Villacorta, a Latin American missiologist who spent years studying leadership among Andean pastors in Peru, found that the leaders who truly made a difference weren't the ones who held tightly to power — they were the ones who gave it away. Sharing power, inviting others in, and leading with people rather than over them turns out to be far more effective and far more life-giving.

In this webinar, you'll discover how your relationship with power affects everything — your growth, your team's potential, and the communities you serve. Whether you lead a team of two or an organization of thousands, this conversation is for you.

Dr. Wilmer Villacorta has a MDiv & PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is on the faculty of Fuller’s School of Mission and Theology. Prior to that, Wilmer served on faculty and as Dean at the Latin American School of Missiology in Peru. He has also served for over 15 years in a variety of pastoral positions.

Wilmer is the author of Unmasking the Male Soul: Power and Gender Trap for Women in Leadership (2019) and Tug of War: The Downward Ascent of Power (2017).