A breathtaking journey~
Eve Poole, the author of leader-smithing, gained various leadership experiences in her life as she taught leadership and ethics as a professor at Hult international business school, worked for Deloitte as a consultant, and served as a board member for many organizations. This book on leadership was written in two parts: Part 1 discussed leadership theory and part 2 discussed practical guide to exercising 52 essentials for leadership development. Leader-smithing invites the readers to take on a challenge to develop 52 essential leadership skills over a lifetime to simply be a better leader tomorrow. She calls this leadership development life journey a leader-smithing because leadership is about “apprenticeship, craft and hours of practice.”[1]
As I read through all the 52 decks of cards, I said to myself, ‘This sure will take a lifetime of apprenticeship, craft, and hours of practice!’ But, I guess the good news of leader-smithing is that you will get better as you practice. One area I reflected on was the ‘ace of diamonds – your strengths’ section from chapter 6. This section started by inviting the readers to “reflect on the highlights of your career so far.”[2] That’s exactly what I did. I reflected on my ministry career highlights and successes I have experienced so far. This reflection helped me to realize that I am now in a different season, with a different organizational structure, different relational roles, and different trajectories. Therefore, I must think, lead, and serve differently! Currently, the church ministry and the non-profit mission organization I am serving and the focus of my NPO are all at a pioneering and laying the foundation stage work. This kind of work and responsibility was very new to me because I was more used to and skilled at managing teams and working out the logistics of the organizations. Many of the values, organizational structures, ministry blueprints and curriculums already existed. But now, my current role and responsibility require much more in-depth thinking, finding clear direction, and creating paths and curriculums that don’t yet exist. The 52 skills that Eve talked about are essential because every leader has to deal with the pressure and responsibility to adapt to changing environments and find a practical solution and motivate others to follow.
The book helped me understand and realize that there was an innate part of me that resisted leader-smithing. As I get older, I desire to do things in the way that I am comfortable and molded into from the past and resist new ways of thinking and innovatively doing things. When the ace of diamonds in a leader becomes driven by 5 of diamonds – initiative, it will create positive momentum and movement. Eve mentioned that “people look to be led into a positive future of some kind, so showing initiative is a very pure form of leading.”[3] The life journey of learning, mentoring, and leader-smithing continues on and it is not an easy journey, but it sure is a breathtaking one. I have to remember to take it like a tortoise – one breath at a time, one step at a time, and trust wherever the Spirit of the Wind takes me~
[1] Eve Poole, Leadersmithing: Revealing the Trade Secrets of Leadership. 1st edition (Bloomsbury Business, 2017), 3.
[2] Eve Poole, Leadersmithing, 78.
[3] Eve Poole, Leadersmithing, 93.
About the Author
Jonathan Lee
President of Streamside Ministry Lead Pastor of EM @ San Jose Korean Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, CA5 responses to “A breathtaking journey~”
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Jonathan, thanks for sharing the complexities of your leadership role and its challenges. You are right to say that the practical applications of the book are overwhelming. It will take a disciplined approach to this material to truly benefit from it. As you say, leadership is a life-long process. I believe Eve Poole gives us very actionable steps to grow in that pursuit. I trust you will find help for all you face in ministry. By the way, we are visiting our son in San Jose and are staying in Sunnyvale this weekend. Love the area!
Jonathan: I relate well to your thoughts on growing older and the difficulties of the journey in leadership. We have to remember to not get too comfortable or too set in our ways. The journey is a difficult one but it is also worth the effort and don’t forget to enjoy the views from time to time. Your comment about trusting the Spirit is right on.
Jonathan: I find it so interesting that you perceive a part of you to be resistant to leadersmithing as I have not encountered you like that. Even with your NPO and deep desire to see the youth you work with take hold of their faith at such a foundational level only points towards your desire for true discipleship – one that is rooted, walked out with others, and lived out together. Your methods may be different than other generations, but I think you are focusing on a much needed approach to a faith model that lives out this notion of apprenticeship, both with the Lord and others in the faith.
Jonathan, thank you for your thoughtful post and engagement with Poole’s Leadersmithing. I love that you put into practice one of her 52 cards and reflected on highlights from your career so far. The analysis of your current ministry role out of this reflection holds so many critical insights. I’m looking forward to hearing what emerges in your NPO from your reflections on leadersmithing. I really appreciated your closing comment: “I have to remember to take it like a tortoise – one breath at a time, one step at a time, and trust wherever the Spirit of the Wind takes me.” This is a helpful reminder to me as well. Thank you. What helps you to ‘take it like a tortoise…?”
Hi Elmarie,
One practice I have been implementing and practicing these days is to take more time and think things through when I am making complicated and crucial decisions. I am learning to imagine about the consequnces or outcomes for different decision options.