This is the question I recently posed to a number of students in Oxford while completing a three week residency requirement for my research. Most of the answers fell in the range of ‘you suck’ and ‘repent!’ From these responses it quickly became obvious that we view most leaders as doing a poor job. Is that a reflection on ourselves I wonder? Or is it how we think about God? Or is it the other guy who is doing the bad job and we know we could teach him a thing or two?
Is what’s wrong with leaders the fact that we are always judging others instead of ourselves? We seem to know what others should do or how they should behave. However, we seldom question our own motives or actions. How many of us can say that we daily live our values?
The most interesting response however, came from the philosophy student (you could have guessed), who said that God would say: ‘chill out’ ‘don’t take life so seriously.’ I think the philosophy student has a point. The mischievous, creative, innovative side of leadership has had to kowtow to the unrelenting pressure of performance. I have discovered that performance is enhanced by creativity, innovation, fun and a new way of thinking!
Predictable; is the only way to describe most of the answers to the above question. I guess that is why I was so intrigued by the answer from the philosophy student. It was unpredictable – I think it takes the unpredictable to make us sit up and take notice, to make us ponder and think, to make us see the world in a different way.
We have become so predictable, even in the church that we are failing to engage the multitudes. I personally think that it was the unpredictable nature of Jesus that got the multitudes following his every move. It wasn’t like he was necessarily nice to them – not even to his disciples. After all, telling someone they will lose their life if they try to gain it, doesn’t make for charismatic leadership, neither does using your whip to dispense of unsavory characters, selling their wares in your church foyer.
Jesus loved keeping people on the edge – He lived on the edge. He understood the tribe but didn’t cater to them. He told Peter to get over himself and being a kid at heart he played with mud pies. Liking the look of them he decided to try out his newly invented eye packs with sight restoring properties on a blind man walking by. Besides which he liked nothing more than a good storm and finding money for his taxes in the mouth of a fish!
I think the philosophy student is right we should all take a chill pill, relax and rediscover the wonder of our world and what it has to offer in terms of innovative ways to interest the multitudes.
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Tags: creative thinking, God, leadership
I think that unfortunately most leaders are unwilling to risk thinking outside the box. Conventional wisdom, B-schools, shareholder expectations etc force them into a mold that stifle creativity and originality.
I will say that leaders should start to get real most especially in the church because we’re supposed to be the light that shines into the dark world. Just like the story that was told of a child in a church service who demonstrated the right heart of a leader; that is to lead, some of the times if not most of the times most leaders are hypocrites…
The story was told about a small child who listened quietly as the preacher began to give his third and final altar call. He watched as no one moved — no one needed prayer. No one needed forgiveness. Everyone seemed pleased with their lives.
The child realized that even though he didn’t quite understand — he believed in Jesus and down the aisle he ran! He fell to his knees and began to pray. As the preacher knelt by his side he heard the small child say:
“Jesus I know you know who I am but in case you’ve forgotten — my name is Sam. I’m the one who always wants his own way and won’t listen to what others have to say. And I’m the one that never helps out. And I know you saw what I did the other day — I got mad and pushed a little boy down and out of my way!
But Jesus I just want you to know I’m sorry for all the bad things I’ve done. And I want to do better so maybe you can love me and forgive me too. I want to grow up to be like these people here today — for they must never do anything wrong or I guess you’d be hearing them ask for forgiveness too. And Jesus help me to be more like you instead of more like me!”
The preacher stood up with tears in his eyes and the congregation too had begun to cry. For this humble child had taught them the true meaning of how they should pray and how to humbly ask for forgiveness. They knew in their hearts just how complacent, apathetic and satisfied they had become — when down the aisle this small child ran.
I think a leader should ask himself/herself and his conscience what would Jesus do in this or that situation? If he can’t go through with what he knows is right in his heart, then how can he expect those under him to do and follow what is right? Leadership needs to set the pace and the example. If a leader is totally surrendered to God, he will have a clear conscience and walk the walk and not just talk the talk. He will be full of the Spirit because he is surrendered to the Spirit and he will be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit telling him what Jesus would do. He probably won’t last too long as a leader because the world will crucify him one way or another. Nevertheless he’ll be full of joy and be able to sleep well at night as long as his leadership lasts.
Thanks for your comments Millard – you are the optimal example of a man
committed to the will of God. Thank you for your service to the Mapun people in giving them scriptures in their own language. I have no doubt your years of service have not gone unnoticed by God!
What a wonderful story Olu….out of the mouths of babes! I think our biggest problem is our utter reliance on self. We can do it all, know it all, have it all, and have no need of God. Except perhaps when the crises comes and the “do it all, know it all, have it all” is no longer enough.