The way a leader leads…

When Hernando Cortez and his crew of 600 landed in Mexico in 1519, he ordered his men to burn the ships. This radical decision closed all avenues for return to the life they knew before. There was no going back, no returning to the old way of life, no thoughts of losing. There was only the pressing need to move forward, to progress, to be victorious. Cortez was totally committed and allowed himself and those he led no option of turning back.

As we pursue our decision to lead, we must be totally committed to move forward, to progress as leaders. There is no going back to what worked before. There is only movement forward. But before we get wrapped up in the greatness of leading, we need to step back and understand the foundations of leadership.

As I was thinking about these foundations, I asked my eight year old what he thought was the most important thing about leadership. He paused and looked up at the ceiling as if contemplating the greatest question ever asked. Then he said, simply yet profoundly, “The way a leader leads is the most important thing.” The way a leader leads…

How am I leading… in a manner that inspires excellence? In a manner that draws people to personal growth? Am I living out my calling in a manner compels others to come along with me?

Ethics, my worldview, and Jesus…

So… it appears that those of you who check this post out get the opportunity to follow some of my coursework as I go through it. One of the last classes I am taking is Organizational Ethics. This is one of the questions my class was asked to respond to along with my response.

Do you think every person on Earth has a worldview? Explain your answer?

I do think that every person on earth has a worldview. A worldview is, simply put, the lens through which we view the world. It is a mental framework that governs how we think, what we associate ourselves with, how we respond to life and what we approve and disapprove. Everyone has a way of thinking or viewing the world that is reflected in their actions and attitudes. My worldview has been influenced by the journey my life has taken.

For example: I grew up in Christian family: church every Sunday, etc. In high school, I found that my parent’s Christianity didn’t translate very well to me. I spent a few years wandering around spiritually, trying to find where I believed and what I was willing to devote my spirit and energies to. I eventually found my way to an understanding of grace and who Christ is beyond the simple church things. My wandering served to solidify my faith… kind of odd sounding, but true.

Entering ministry probably contained the most eye-opening challenges to who I am and what I believe. It wasn’t the challenge of leading students and guiding them spiritually during their middle and high school years. It was the constant evaluating of what I believed… is the Bible relevant, how does the life of Christ impact students in today’s culture, are my standards really Biblical or are they steeped in tradition? My desire to reach students where they are led me to search deeper in order to find the truth behind my beliefs.

My worldview is clearly based in a spiritual/Biblical ethos. I try to filter everything through the lens of the Bible. Where the Bible is clear in its position, that is the position I stand on. While the Bible takes a strong stand on some issues, it is good to note that grace permeates everything. I am not a theological traditionalist, who might tend to view the world as without good and on a path to hell. I tend to believe that God created the world, loves the people in it, sees the space and distance in our relationship with Him, and has made a way to remove that space by showing us grace through Jesus.

My leadership style reflects this dynamic belief in relationship. It is not harsh, degrading or fear inducing. I look for opportunities to invest, encourage and instruct the three crews who work with me.

Brian