This invitation was recently sent to me from my alma mater, Calvin College[1]:
I'm troubled by the stress on leadership, especially among Christians, and the presumption (mine) that choosing to lead is more difficult, noble, rewarding, etc than following or serving.
Leadership is a subconscious evolutionary filter that we insist everyone attempt to pass through; those that succeed have the potential to lead and so we pass them through successively finer filters, slotting them along the way in roles that match the filters that finally stop them.
There's nothing wrong with that.
We do the same thing with basketball players, doctors, teachers, etc. The problem comes when leadership is presented with a moral or ethical aspect that applies a thick layer of guilt when we reach that filter that won't let us pass.
We unfortunately turn out a lot of damaged human beings by forcing them to carry the weight of failure because their DNA or childhood or experience didn't prepare them to do something we think everyone should be able to do in some measure.
Those not cut out to lead end up following; if there were none that knew how to do this well (it is an art when done well - ask a soldier, a waiter, a cleric, or a gentleman's gentleman ), there would be no one to lead.
A strong sense of place and how to contribute in that place is slowly evaporating from American culture.
Good followers make good leaders.
(Ie, they make leaders around them successful and are also the substance of new leaders.)
[1]
Incidentally, I respect Chick-fil-A's courage staying closed on Sundays. In Erie, PA, my home town, a local grocery store called Paul Bunyan, which was owned by a Jewish man, closed on Saturdays; Saturday was the busiest day of the week in that business back then. I'm not that old, but times change so quickly, not too many folks can remember when most stores closed on Sundays. My dad spoke highly a number of times of Paul Bunyan's owner. My dad was in the grocery business and understood the cost he paid for his convictions.
Started: 2012-04-26
Chuck - I agree with your post on leadership. I too have noticed and emphasis on 'leading' in Christian organizations and publications. And I've thought - 'What is it they are after when they encourage someone to consider leadership?" The role is not defined. When they say 'lead' - do they mean becoming a cheerleader for the cause - exuding enthusiasm with such charisma that others will be caught up into whatever it is we are 'leading' them too? I suspect what they do NOT mean - is an analytical approach - a thoughtful directing towards 'what's good.' Possibly their appeal others to consider 'leadership' boils down to getting others to 'do more' - 'work harder' - 'sacrifice more' for the advancement of their organization. And - if all goes well, there may be a carrot on a stick for you when it's all over.
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