The Loving Leader
Throughout this semester, several recurring themes have emerged in my mind based on the books we read and our discussions as a cohort. One theme is that the world is in a challenging place. Even though the wisest man declared that “there is nothing new under the sun,”[1] we are facing systemic issues, some of which are stubborn and unrelenting. Secondly, there is the reassurance that God is firmly in control of everything happening in and around us. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End[2]. Thirdly, a reminder that there is important work for us to do “at such a time as this” within our individual spheres of influence. As Jules Glanzer rightly states, “Whenever God calls someone to a task, it is always larger than any one person can accomplish.”[3]
Musical and theatrical connections
This week’s reading, The Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence by Jules Glanzer, has been insightful, affirming, and reassuring. It is insightful because I’d never thought of leadership as having a “sound” that could vary depending on the notes on the musical scale. It is affirming because Jules continues to reinforce the message of being self-differentiated leaders. Simon P. Walker’s book gave us the same message but with a theatrical illustration. Walker’s case for undefended leadership hinges on the inner work a leader does in the “backstage” that has implications on what people see and experience in the “front stage. ” Jules also states that “a leader’s voice, tone, and mood are an expression of his inner being,” and that “leadership is being that results in doing. Who you are determines how you lead. How you lead flows from who you are.”
With all the various forms of distractions confronting modern-day leaders, I sense that this is God’s call for us: to engage in inner work. Henri Nouwen illustrates this beautifully by describing spiritual discernment as the ability to hear a deeper sound beneath the noise of ordinary life and to see beyond appearances to the interconnectedness of all things. This perspective allows us to gain insight into how everything fits together (theoria physike) in our lives and in the world[4]. It is reassuring because if we commit to inner work, leading authentically becomes natural and doesn’t require a rigid set of goals or a personal plan.
How might we work on the inner tone of our lives?
There are many gems in Jules’ book but the following principles stood out for me from the reading this week: –
- Relational leadership: Jules brings back our focus to people. We can get caught up in processes and systems and easily forget that those we lead are created in God’s image. Jules points out that “at the core of leadership is relationships. The musical chords played in the soundtrack of your leadership reveal how you treat people.”[5]
- Character as a leadership trait: He emphasizes the need to lead with integrity, courage, and humility
- Setting the tone: He describes his choice of attire on the first day on campus as president and how it sent a message to the entire campus. He goes on to say that “Leaders, intentionally or unintentionally, set the voice, tone, and genres of music; leaders have a personal soundtrack that permeates the entire organization.”[6]
- Consider the implications: “Like sound,” he says, “leadership is also complex, complicated, and consequential.” [7]
Finally, Jules harmoniously and courageously echoes the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 on the topic of love.
“You must love those you lead before you can be an effective leader. You can certainly command without a sense of commitment, but you cannot lead without it. And without leadership, command is a hollow experience.”[8]
[1] Ecclesiastes 1:9
[2] Revelation 22:13
[3] Glanzer, Jules. The Sound of Leadership. Plano, TX: Invite Resources, 2023.
[4] Nouwen, Henri J. M. 2013. Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life. FIRST EDITION. New York, NY: HarperOne.
[5] Glanzer, Jules. The Sound of Leadership. Plano, TX: Invite Resources, 2023. P.53
[6] Ibid, 51
[7] Ibid
[8] Ibid
About the Author
Alex Mwaura
8 responses to “The Loving Leader”
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Alex,
I appreciated you pointing out the section in the book about Glanzer “setting the tone” through what he wore on the first day. I connected with that part as well and have been reflecting on how leaders can manage their unintentional actions. What are your thoughts on how a leader can keep up with all the assumptions made by those they lead—for example, when a clothing choice made for practical reasons (like relocation issues) is interpreted as a signal that the culture is becoming more casual?
Great point, Darren. Building a foundation of relationships and communication can address such a misinterpretation. People are dynamic in nature, and a leader can almost always clarify intent in such a scenario.
Alex –
Thanks for your post!
Something I’ve been sitting with this week is how “love” can feel or be received differntly depending on context and engagement. For instance, when the different “equippers” of the Church are described by Paul as, “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11, NIV), I think love from a shepherd or teacher looks and feels different than love from an apostle or prophet.
Do you see this playing out in your context at all? And how do you love authentically in a way best received by those you lead?
Thanks, Jeremiah. This is a great reflective question. From my perspective, the components of love, i.e., patience, kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, and so on, apply in any leadership scenario. That said, I do agree that showing love may differ based on the leader’s role. In terms of authentically applying this practice at work, I generally just try to care for those I lead and put their needs first.
Thank you, Alex! I love your straightforward and simple (but not easy!) approach: caring for those you lead and putting their needs first. I think if all leaders chose to consistently occupy that space, we’d see much less toxicity and a lot more thriving in our organizations and communities!
Thanks again!
I agree, Jeremiah. It’s difficult work, especially when things get tough. May you have blessings and grace as you lead your team.
Alex,
You highlight a critical point about how the leadership message is perceived.
Jules also states that “a leader’s voice, tone, and mood are an expression of his inner being,” and that “leadership is being that results in doing. Who you are determines how you lead. How you lead flows from who you are.”
Teams perceive and understand messages in various tones through sight, sound, or feelings. The dress code is a primary example that exists within distinct business cultures. Within the first weeks of my tenure as a leader in my current role, I had two managers approach me and ask about not wearing khaki pants to work and instead being allowed to wear jeans. It came across as a serious question. My response was simple but provided an opportunity to set a tone with clarity. I said “yes” with conditions. And as a result, I shared that the dress didn’t indicate the expected performance. I wanted to uncouple the requirements of dress and performance. I expected excellent performance, but I also took the opportunity to send a few notes back in the other direction to raise the collective bar. Within the context of that message, I also shared that we would need to be supportive and lean into other team leaders when they were struggling. It was our collective responsibility as leaders.
How are you doing with your transition and establishing a new soundtrack as you manage through this new space?
That’s a wise approach, Michael! You handled that scenario very well, keeping the team focused on the outputs. I begin my new job today and am reflecting on setting a new soundtrack and tone. Your post is so timely. Thanks so much for asking about this, and God bless you.