Good Leadership

 

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?