Inspired by the biblical passage in John 10:11, "a good shepherd lays down his life", I argue here
that a good leader intentionally and critically engages inhumane ideologies,
resists anything that hinders flourishing, and innovatively creates a safe
environment that fosters the holistic well-being of their team members and environment where they serve.
Leadership is not just about performing the duties that come with a position;
how you lead is equally important, if not more important than what you do as a
leader. If we take seriously how leaders are formed and do not overemphasize
the mechanical training of leaders, our world can be a better place. Drawing from the above bible passage of
a good shepherd who willingly sacrifices and protects his sheep, even to
the point of giving up her own life, I share with you what I think a good
leader looks like.
There are myriad challenges that
leaders face. A notable challenge of leadership now is corrupt and oppressive
leaders who take advantage of the vulnerable masses. In the above biblical shepherd metaphor, instead of the shepherd leaning into the common norm of
slaughtering the sheep for personal consumption or economic benefit, the good shepherd lays down their life for the benefit of the sheepfold or their team members. This is unheard of! Can we get civil and corporate leaders who have a
professional formation that has nurtured them in the way of sacrificing for the
best interest of the people they serve? For me, sacrificial leadership is not a
function any leader learns how to perform; instead, it is a virtue one develops
and nurtures like a little seed sown which is nurtured for growth to become a
not easily pulled-down mighty tree. How, then, can leaders nurture good virtues
that enable them to serve and help others?
Three things come to mind on how to
nurture good leadership skills that encourage one to lead with courage and
sacrificially. Firstly, leaders should nurture the critical thinking skills of
their teams so the deceptive ideas of thieves, robbers, and sycophants can easily
be identified and no longer seen appealing in the team. From my observation, humans
are sometimes vulnerable and easily fall for things that end up harming us in
the long run. For example, numerous injustices seemed okay some time past but
now look very unacceptable. Why do you think the brutal, cruel slave trade boomed
and took so long to be abolished despite its clear negative impact and oppressive
aftermaths? I think this was because individuals and communities at that time
lacked the discernment and conviction to detect what was wrong with the slave
trade. In the bible passage I referenced, the good shepherd nurtured their
sheep not to listen and follow the voice of bad shepherds (John 10:8). In my
opinion, the greatest task of leaders is to nurture in their team a critical and
curious mind, and a discerning heart that can easily different what is good
from bad. Good leaders are critical and empathic thinkers who help their team
members to develop their inner reflective apparatus that seeks the common good
and mutual care of one another.
A second trait important for leaders
to nurture in their team is the courage to face and manage risks. I think the
highest risk there can be is death. However, the good shepherd in the bible
passage above was fearlessly well prepared to face and manage any death that came
threatening her team. You don’t need to
be old in this life to discover that death and dying situations are part of
everyday life. Yes, you should hope for the best and have the true hope that
also expects the worst and prepares for it adequately. As a Leader, do not make
your team so overly ambitious and optimistic that they dismiss the existential
issues that threaten their lives. Also, do not become so threat-conscious that
your team becomes so pessimistic that thriving becomes a challenge. Good
leaders know how to treat both the good and the bad as two parts of a whole,
which are equally important and inseparable. Hence, dare to celebrate the good
while you take responsibility for the bad, too.
Finally, good leaders know how to
innovatively dream to create the change needed for a better future. They
harness their critical thinking and risk-taking skills in a supportive, playful
environment that allows everyone to be heard. Hence, there is a collaborative
breeding of new possibilities despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges. Good
leaders collaborate with their teams to make the world a better place than they
found it, irrespective of the cost involved. Make room for every voice in your
team to be heard.
Some questions to help you
reflect on your leadership journey
1.
How would you describe your present context of
leadership or where you feel called to serve as a leader
2.
What are the issues that prevent you and your
team from unleashing your leadership potential to the maximum?
3.
How
prepared are you to face the inhumane injustices that inhibit the holistic
flourishing of your team members?
4.
What resources and support do you need to become
the better leader you want to be? How do you intend to access those resources?
