Grounded Leadership

Something that has settled deep into my heart, mind and soul over the last three months is the issue of being grounded and true to yourself.  In A Failure of Nerve, Friedmann argues that leaders must be self-differentiated from those whom they lead and from their organizations, churches, institutions, etc.  Leaders must know who they are and not be tossed about by waves of public opinion, the latest trends, or the last conversation or book that one reads.  A leader must be able to decide even when the decision will not be popular.  In our culture, strong leadership will result in sabotage.  Friedmann insists that we should expect it.  The only way to survive the challenge of leading in the day and age in which we live is to have clarity around your vocation (calling).  A leader needs to focus on a their own well-being, spirituality, life and presence.  Our churches, families, organizations, youth ministries need leaders who are a "non-anxious presence" in their environments.  The first commitment of a leader to those she/he leads is to care for their own life.  Spiritual leaders must nurture their souls.  Friedmann writes, "I am convinced that to the extent leaders of any family or institution are willing to make a lifetime commitment to their own continual self-regulated growth, they can make any leadership theory or technique look brilliant."  Theories, programs, technology, strategies, gimmicks, trends, etc., will come and go.  In the midst of cataclysmic change swirling surrounding us, spiritual leaders must be more committed than ever to sit at the feet of Jesus, yoked to the Master and Lord of all.

Comments

[Adam]

I actually have that book. I got about half way through it and realized it was going very far, so I stopped reading it. I agree with everything Friedman says, I just think the above paragraph states everything in the book without the need of a book.

One thing I never did figure out; what does he mean by sabotage and if leaders are to expect sabotage what do they do about it? In my line of work, if you expect sabotage you make things impregnable, or another approach is to add redundancy. I would think that in the realm of spiritual leadership those two methods would lead to bureaucracy or callousness which aren't desirable traits.

[Mike King]

Hey Adam,

I think it means that you will be tested. Are we grounded and deciding from an deep place intuitively driven by our values and sense of calling. Of course, I don't think this means leaders are dogmatic and unwilling to learn and listen to those they lead. It makes me think of Jesus who had set his face toward Jerusalem even when his followers were sure they should not go there. I also think sabotage comes from the dynamics in our culture that call for watered down consensus. It comes from those who want the comfortable way. It comes from those who "have a better plan." It comes from those who think that pluralism calls for a softer agenda. I think it also comes from those who demand attention for their pathological priorities. Pathological - (Of, relating to, or manifesting behavior that is habitual, maladaptive, and compulsive).

Also, when you expect sabotage and are ready to deal with it head on you don't have to build layers of bureaucracy to protect yourself. You deal with it when it surfaces out of a groundedness in who you are as a leader and a follower of Jesus. And dealing with it doesn't mean utilizing force and win at all cost behavior.

Just a few thoughts in response to your comments.

Peace,

Mike

[riddle]

good stuff Mike. love freidman. so good.
the last chapter of my book actually leans into some of this.

Have you discovered Peter Block yet? unbelievable.

It makes a good companion to Freidman to me. As Freidman encourages differentiated leadership, Block encourages seeing yourself as part of the organization, therefore demanding change and health to be a personally embodied, rather than something that you do to people out there.

hope you are well my friend. can't wait to come and see you up in KC sometime soon.

[Mike King]

Hey Mark,

I finished your book yesterday... good stuff and much needed. Very helpful for the discussion and process of hiring youth pastors.

Peace to you,

Mike