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Leadership

 

            Sometimes I realize how lucky I am.  It is not the kind of luck; however, I would go to Las Vegas and try in the gambling venues.  I don’t think I would have any more success there or betting on horse races as any other average sucker.  And perhaps what I am calling luck is not even luck.  Often I think what we might call “luck” is little more than being prepared and available at opportunistic times.  Something good happens and we call it “luck.”

            I admit that sometimes things happen that we do not deserve.  Something comes our way that we did not see coming and we are given a gift.  In theological terms this is called “grace.”  Grace is nothing more than an undeserved gift. I have been graced so many times…graced by people, by events, by God no doubt.  And all one can do in the face of grace is says “thanks.”

            Recently a friend gave me a book.  It is entitled, The Mentor Leader, by Tony Dungy.  I like focusing on leadership from the perspective of being a mentor---a teacher.  The subtitle is also instructive: Secrets to Building People and Teams That Win Consistently.  I was happy to have received this book.  I likely would never have bought it, but that does not mean I am not delighted to have it.

            If you are older and like sports, then you might know Tony Dungy.  He is the former football coach for the Colts, the Indianapolis professional football team.  He was quite successful with Super Bowl win and all.  Additionally, he is a person of high character and a man of deep faith.  Both these qualities ooze throughout the book. 

            His last chapter deals with what he calls the “measure” of the mentor leader.  This is nothing more than describing the lasting effect of leadership.  If you have been an effective leader, how would you know it?  How would you measure it?  Dungy offers a simple formula.  Dungy says, “Very simply, the mentor leader adds value to the lives of others, to make the lives of other people better."

            I like this focus, although it necessarily is still quite general.  But the key thing I like is an understanding that being a leader is not about yourself!  It is contrary to ego, pride, personal success, etc.  This fits well with the model of leadership I like to use, namely, servant-leadership.  I am convinced this is the form of leadership evidenced by Jesus, by the Buddha, and most other historically lauded spiritual leaders.

            What is the key to measuring this kind of leadership?  Value add is the key.  I like this concept, but admit it is usually found in the business world, not in the ecclesiastical realm.  But it is not difficult.  Effective leadership adds some kind of value to others.    Again, the question is not “what do I get out of it.”  Rather the question is “how are others better off?”

            Of course, there are many ways that others can be better off.  That means there are many ways to offer that person leadership.  Many times it is helping the other person work, discipline himself or herself, so that things will begin to happen that make it seem like they are lucky.  I do this with students all the time.  I try to serve them as a leader, helping them to work and, then, get “lucky” in their good results.  I am adding value.  I can also give them the gift of attention, encouragement, etc.  To them this will be “grace.”

            Understanding leadership in this fashion means that any one of us at almost any time can be a leader.  We can begin looking at our very ordinary lives to see the opportunities to be a mentor leader by adding value to someone.  Usually, it is not big. 

            So you don’t have to be charismatic, a genius, powerful, or brilliant.  Be a servant.  Be like Jesus.  Add value and you are a leader.

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