The opening presentation at the 2010 Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit set the tone for everything that followed. Bill Hybels talked about the investment we must make in ourselves to develop our leadership skills to successfully cast a vision to move those we lead “from here to there”. That is, after all, what leaders do, they transform what is, by moving others from a current reality to a brighter future. The difficulty encountered is that most people resist change. We humans are creatures of habit, and the unknown can be a threatening place for us to go. Without wise leaders challenging us to reach further and accomplish more, we would never achieve our full potential. A wise leader’s first objective is not only to prepare people for change, but to make them passionately desire it. I really connected with the example of this that Bill used.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent many years getting his followers ready for “the big day”. Speech after speech focused on everything that was wrong with the way people of color had been treated. He raised their level of discontent to the point that all agreed the status quo was absolutely not acceptable, and then he cast a vision with those timeless words, “I have a dream!” Had he started his movement with his most famous words, people would have seen it as a pipe dream with no hope of completion. So when wise leaders begin to cast a vision, they must begin by making “where we are now” an unacceptable place to remain.
The journey now becomes perilous, and wise leaders must continue to inspire hope. There is a point where the vision is obscured by the challenges along the way. This is nothing new. Even the children of Israel were ready to go back to slavery in Egypt, when faced with the uncertainty of life in the desert. The vision of a promised land filled with milk and honey seemed so far out of reach and unattainable that they lost hope.
In a popular song by Indigo Girls, the lyricist talks about that hesitation we feel when facing the unknown saying, “The devil I know is starting to look mighty kind, but the new road is an old friend…Fill it up again.” That is the role of the wise leader, to keep the vision fresh & alive, so the focus is off of the uncertainties and on the destination.
Celebrating the milestones along the way is a great morale booster, and keeps focus on the vision and purpose for the journey. Celebrations acknowledge the accomplishments that have been attained and encourage us to keep moving forward. What keeps people on the journey is the sense of hope that they will get there some day!
Finally, wise leaders do not rely solely on their own understanding, but continue to seek fresh wisdom. This is key to their ability to inspire others to take risks, move out in faith, and be the bearers of positive change for the transformation of the world. For Christian leaders, listening for the prompting of the Spirit and allowing God to guide their steps is a priority and a daily discipline. We can all benefit from their example and hone our leadership skills, by taking time out to seek divine guidance as part of our daily routine.
Blessings & Adventure
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This world today needs good, honest leaders. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
You have hit the nail of True Meaning of Leadership on the head. This is both inspiring and insightful. Thanks Lynn.
Awsome post Lynn, I have been a student of leadership most of my life.
The points you made here are dead on and presented in an inspirational way.
Thank you!