Even Caesar
There are things that I love to learn about. As a kid, it was nature. Like looking out across a field in the early morning at the sparkles of glistening dew on the glow of yellow, burnt grass-in-the-sun or stepping into the cool ocean, carefully over a rocky-barnacled bottom on a clear night and watching the phosphorescence dance, stars above and walking through a swirling galaxy in the dark-below. There was a time, as I was studying in my undergraduate years, that I was utterly astonished by molecular structures of ‘important things’ within us and intra-cellular, microscopic processes essential to life as we know it. Over the course of the last many years, I have enjoyed memorising the scientific names of living things all around on the island I live on and like a hobby, listening closely in on the spectacular world of leadership. Especially, observing those who identify themselves as leaders.
Leadership? It seems to be a bit of a dance and there seems to be something a tad off-time or disjointed about this dance as Nohira and Khurana point out on page 3 of their not too exhaustive compilation on leadership ‘Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practise’(a book that I would love to read and analyze slowly over a few years), “societies around the world are crying out for more and better leadership, when our current leaders have lost legitimacy” [1]. People take on heavy loads. Every position, within our organizations and throughout our institutions, carries weight and responsibility. We are all leaders in ways and perhaps, it’s the individual who thoughtfully visions and honestly articulates this potential clearest, is the one made for the role to lead a group or system.
The awakening or transformation (what changes in an individual stepping into next levels of responsibility and leadership) consists “of a new way of thinking about the organization and its purpose, and a concomitant redefinition of future possibilities.” [1]. First, it must be declared that some who make this jump through levels of organization are not necessarily always the ones who should be given promotion. Tried and true eyes, with hearts set to the original love and relative progression of community and culture within a place, can (best?) identify the genuine article. Who is given the reigns of hiring for next generation/next level leadership within an organization/community? Perhaps the hiring process and delegation of leadership roles is the problem to attend to. How can healthy and progressive movement be expected of a place when the wrong person is there to begin with? Discernment and deep analysis of character is vital from the outset because those “who aspire for leadership roles may be high in the need for power rather than the need for achievement.” [1]. Two defining characteristics of progressive leadership, especially in the context of organization devoted to reflecting the nature of Jesus Christ, are grace and humility. These cannot be faked.
Integrity. Who is it that wants to be the one out front? Can heroes be leaders? Who holds the vision and passion for a movement? There’s sweet chemistry to this.
I knew a guy, a Street Pastor who wrote ramblings with a cigarette lit and between sentences he sipped from a glass of diet Coke. He walked the streets and led with justice streaming, this from within the movement. In grade three, I was ridiculed by someone older than me for a speech impediment. No one was there to stand up for me. In grade six, I was pushed down a flight of stairs by a kid in grade eight, a hero stepped into the fray and made things right. There was a man who exhibited compassion without judgement, without exception and his presence was equally present for all regardless of who. He led from the Heart of the One who embraced his heart and he inspired people toward the Source of his genuine encounter. Healing and hope for brokenness were with him, his leadership liberated. Then, there was a tough guy turned gentle who helped me to see creation beautifully (myself included), the way the One who made it all sees it (and, me). Not lastly, my mom. All leaders and heroes, all persecuted ones and broken. All relentless in their rising and diligent in their care to represent the Hope that they had come to know intimately and honestly through their lonely dark moments. Humility. These are messengers of hope and leaders of life.
What do we want leaders to be in our organizations?
Margaret Wheatley, concerned for the cultural and social wellness of organizations and the humane treatment of individuals therein, writes that “when obedience and compliance are primary values, then creativity, commitment, and generosity are destroyed. Whole cultures and generations of people have been deadened by such coercion.” [2]. There is a leadership that may not be as obvious (for its ambition) or loud (for its drive). Coercive emotion laced with ulterior motivation (as innate to the leader or the system the leader enters into) is dangerous and oppressive. Perhaps we need to take a look at the system that we are attributing the need for leadership to. The expectations that this system impresses upon leaders may not be sustainable for human beings at least, for the most part. It seems, as far as I have witnessed it, those who are chosen for leadership positions within this system of organization are not treated well in the long-term. The stress on leaders is extraordinary and, like dominoes falling, the employees they are called to care for (in the name of production) ultimately experience this propagated (uninformed?) maltreatment through the one they are paid to look up and listen to. Both leaders and employees, they all fall down. The best leader is the one who keeps the ship moving forward despite the wake of destruction.
What about life?
Henri Nouwen writes, “the way of the Christian leader is not the way of upward mobility in which our world has invested so much, but the way of downward mobility ending on the cross.” [3]. I was four years old, walking back to my cabin with my little brother toddling along beside me and I had just heard about Jesus for the first time: that God loves me and that Jesus died for me. Somebody I didn’t even know, seemingly had me in mind when He gave up His life. Jesus was the first example of hero in my life. I can understand now why it is a risk for the hero to be a leader. The hero has the integrity to be a true leader because with the hero’s experience is the knee-bruised humility, the fire-tried passion, the life-giving willingness from the ‘least-of-all’ position to serve those they are called to lead. The leadership of the hero inspires (‘ending on the cross’ [3]) and it is a threat to a system of organization that seeks to reinforce the attitude with its devoted adherents of reliance and ‘obedience and compliance’ [2]. So then, what kind of a leader would be a ‘safe’ hire? Even Caesar had a target on his back.
“Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” [4]
[1] edited by Nitin Nohria, Rakesh Khurana. Handbook Of Leadership Theory and Practice : an HBS Centennial Colloquium on Advancing Leadership. Boston, Mass. :Harvard Business Press, 2010.
[2] Wheatley, M. 2009. Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future. Berret-Koehler Publishers Inc. San Francisco.
[3] Nouwen, H. 2012. The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and the Spiritual Life. Orbis Books.
[4] Jesus of Nazareth. Matthew 11:28. King James Version.
About the Author
Chris Pollock
Dad of Molly Polly Pastor at the Mustard Seed Street Church Trail Runner2 responses to “Even Caesar”
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Leadership is progressive is a true statement or thought. Am impressed by the article because some of the characteristics of a leader are mentioned e.g. integrity. This is the most challenging of all characteristics.
So much of what we see and hear about leadership is so different than the ways Jesus led. Thanks for the reminder and call to humility and service in the ways we lead God’s people.