Finding my way in leading my organization
“Warriors for the Human Spirit are awake human beings who have chosen not to flee. They abide.”1
The above quote is taken from Margaret J. Wheatley’s website and is a perfect segway to the rest of this blog.
Warriors
A warrior is known as a fighter, a winner, someone who perseveres until the battle/goal is accomplished. Ironically, good, visionary, moral people are known as warriors. When the bad person wins, we tend not to refer to them as a warrior.
Human Spirit
Warriors care about people, their people, society, and country. They do something about injustice and help the human spirit move forward.
Awake
Warriors tend to be self-aware. They know what is happening inside themselves and their culture, society, and world. They are not asleep to the problems and know how to address the issues creatively.
Chosen Not To Flee
They don’t turn their back on people, churches, organizations, or society. Ephesians 6:1-10 refers to the armor of God, but there is no armor for the back of the soldier.
They Abide
They work hard to build resilient relationships and seek to work with people instead of over them.
The quote above actually fits in well with both of Margaret J. Wheatley’s books, Finding Our Way and Leadership and the New Science. In Leadership and the New Science, Margaret Wheatley beautifully illustrates how the insights from new science profoundly reshape our understanding of the world, offering us vital lessons on how to live and work harmoniously, especially in these uncertain times.
We find ourselves in an era filled with political, organizational, racial, and economic chaos yet brimming with potential for new possibilities. New warriors are emerging, and with it, we are called to embrace new ideas, perspectives, and relationships that can guide us through. The revelations of new science—encompassing discoveries in biology, chaos theory, and quantum physics—invite us to see the world in a transformative light. Quantum physics? Are you kidding me? Quantum physics and leadership? I would have never put these two together, but I am so glad Dr. Wheatley’s intelligence is off the charts! She also reveals that chaos is a natural part of our experience and that order often unfolds effortlessly. Through these insights, we see the beautiful interconnectedness that binds us, reassuring us that while life may initially seem messy, it inherently seeks to find harmony and order. I must say, this wonderful lady warrior is amazingly brilliant. I vote for her brain to be dedicated to science when she passes away. In fact, if she passes away before me, I wouldn’t mind having her brain. She emphasizes in her book the importance of connecting with the human spirit. “We need fewer descriptions of tasks and instead learn how to facilitate the process. We need to become savvy about how to foster relationships.”2 because “nothing exists independent of its relationship with something else.”3 A leader who knows this is awake.
When I think about this book, I am reminded that I deeply enjoy developing and loving my therapists. Last week I was meeting with a therapist that I will soon promote to Equine Therapist Director. She recommended that one of our interns start leading a therapy group for those who struggle with depression in January 2025. I was already thinking this intern lead a therapy group in the spring. But she convinced me he was ready, and deep down inside, I thought, “Todd, why didn’t you suggest or even see he was ready now? Calm down, compliment her on seeing his skills, and keep learning from her.” It was another encouraging and connecting moment with a therapist. It reminded me of Wheatley’s words, “Innovation is fostered by information gathered from new connections from insights gained by journeys into other disciplines.”3
In Wheatley’s Finding Our Way, she reflects on her experience working with an incredibly diverse range of clients, from Fortune 100 CEOs to ministers. She compassionately acknowledges the shared challenges they face in striving to uphold integrity, humanity, and effectiveness amid the relentless pace and demands of a technology-driven world. Wheatley’s book reminded me of the book, Humble Leadership. In it the author’s write, “we need a new approach to leadership based more on personal relationships than transactional role relationships.”4 This type of warrior mindset cares about thehuman spirit because it is awake and therefore chooses not to flee but abides in the tough times of making progress. Finding Our Way offers a heartfelt approach to guiding individuals, groups, organizations, and communities towards a simpler and more harmonious way of living. By drawing on the principles of living systems theory, it emphasizes the importance of self-organization and supports us in nurturing a more compassionate and connected existence together.
I share this because reading both of her books has profoundly touched me. Their insights have inspired me to take a fresh look at my counseling center, which has been operating for three years. With the support of my Board of Directors and our dedicated therapists, I’m eager to foster a more collaborative atmosphere rather than adhere to a traditional hierarchal structure. While our organizational chart might reflect a conventional approach, the truth is that we’ve been working together in a collaborative spirit all along. Unfortunately, some members of the Board may not fully recognize this dynamic. I believe it’s time for us to intentionally embrace and articulate this shift toward collaboration. Wheatley writes, “There is a clear correlation between participation and productivity; in fact, productivity gains in truly self-managed work environments are at minimum 35 percent higher than in traditionally managed organizations.”5 In referring to being more collaborative, Wheatley continues, “leaders consistently have chosen power rather than productivity. They would rather be in control than have the organization work at optimal efficiency.”6
Reflecting on everything that has happened, I truly feel that this journey of change began months ago as I immersed myself in countless books for this class. Now, I find myself ready to embrace the challenging but rewarding work ahead—connecting with inspiring leaders, engaging in heartfelt conversations with my Board and therapists, and exploring how we can gently and thoughtfully navigate this important transformation. This is warrior work, nurturing the human spirit,and I approach this task with patience, prayer, and a hopeful heart.
- https://margaretwheatley.com
- Margaret Wheatley. Leadership and the New Science. 39.
- Ibid. 113.
- Edgar Schein and Peter Schein. Humble Leadership. 1.
- Margaret Wheatley. Finding Our Way. 65.
- Ibid. 65.
About the Author
Todd E Henley
Todd is an avid cyclist who loves watching NASCAR, photography, and playing Madden football. He is addicted to reading, eating fruits and vegetables, and drinking H2O. His passion is talking about trauma, epigenetics, chromosomes, and the brain. He has been blessed with a sensationally sweet wife and four fun creative children (one of which resides in heaven). In his free time he teaches at Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and is the Founder/Executive Director of Restore Counseling Center.6 responses to “Finding my way in leading my organization”
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Todd,
This,
“Warriors for the Human Spirit are awake human beings who have chosen not to flee. They abide.”1
The above quote is taken from Margaret J. Wheatley’s website and is a perfect segway to the rest of this blog.
Warriors
A warrior is known as a fighter, a winner, someone who perseveres until the battle/goal is accomplished. Ironically, good, visionary, moral people are known as warriors. When the bad person wins, we tend not to refer to them as a warrior.
Human Spirit
Warriors care about people, their people, society, and country. They do something about injustice and help the human spirit move forward.
Awake
Warriors tend to be self-aware. They know what is happening inside themselves and their culture, society, and world. They are not asleep to the problems and know how to address the issues creatively.
Chosen Not To Flee
They don’t turn their back on people, churches, organizations, or society. Ephesians 6:1-10 refers to the armor of God, but there is no armor for the back of the soldier.
They Abide
They work hard to build resilient relationships and seek to work with people instead of over them.”, is so profoundly beautiful and brilliant. I have never considered myself a warrior because I have equated it with destroying. You have given me a new definition, a new perspective. Thank you. I am a Warrior!
Hey Jonita! You’re DOGGONE right. You are a warrior. You are a Warrior Queen! A beautiful, intelligent, compassionate, godly, perceptive Warrior Queen! Sorry for the understatement!
Todd, you post brought to mind several thoughts.
1. You write, “We find ourselves in an era filled with political, organizational, racial, and economic chaos yet brimming with potential for new possibilities. New warriors are emerging, and with it, we are called to embrace new ideas, perspectives, and relationships that can guide us through.” Yes! And sometimes it can be difficult for people to embrace those new warriors and the truth they bring. I’m thinking of a friend of mine who wrote a terse but kind letter to the superintendent of our school system yesterday. He had written a letter to students and parents regarding the election talking about how we respect differing opinions, we try to eliminate bias, we treat one another with kindness and dignity. Then he quoted several white (except Obama) male presidents. My friend’s point of her letter was that in the wake of a presidential election that was literally about electing a woman of color for the first time he should have included other voices in his quotes – such as the voice of a woman of color. She is a warrior pressing this white male superintendent who didn’t realize what he was doing or his implicit bias to a new way.
2. “Innovation is fostered by information gathered from new connections from insights gained by journeys into other disciplines.” This quote makes me think of how training in weights and exercise has given me insights on resilience and perseverance. Or, how reading fictional novels gives me insight on being a better writer or on what other people are doing in their lives.
3. I want to hear more about how the collaborative journey at your counseling center goes. If anyone can lead in that way you can!
Hey Kally. Oohhh, the insight in your comments!!! Thank you. Kally, I’m willing to bet that the Superintendent never even thought about quoting from women or even women of color. That actually takes some self awareness.
I remember reading somewhere that reading novels was good for learning how to write and dream. Great job Pastor!
I’ll keep you posted about the collaborative journey and you are definitely a Warrior. It’s a blessing to learn from you and how you think and process life. You were definitely made for such a time as this.
“Quantum physics? Are you kidding me? Quantum physics and leadership? I would have never put these two together, but I am so glad Dr. Wheatley’s intelligence is off the charts!”
Agreed, when you said this it made me think of an idea from an author I read a while back from “The Irreducible Mind”. He said when we wrestle with two things or ideas that seem to be irreconcilable long enough a third and innovative option will emerge. Loved the merging of leadership and quantum physics and how this is shaping your organization. From the sound of it, its more of a validation that you’re on the right track in your organization. Appreciate your posts!
Hey my brother, when you mentioned “The Irreducible Mind” my first thought was, “Adam most likely wrote it. As I placed it in my cart I saw Adam as one of the authors. I like the idea how a third and innovative option emerges. That’s brilliant and I will keep this in mind. I’m looking forward to reading it next year. Your like my personal Life Coach and Mentor. Thanks man.