In 2020, I took a rejuvenating three-month sabbatical. I was expecting profound insights to emerge over the course of this time, but at the end of my sabbatical, all I had were three simple thoughts to carry forward: 1.) Do whatever it takes to get enough sleep. 2.) Do one thing at a time, instead of \u201cmultitasking.\u201d 3.) Whatever happens, hold onto joy. At first, I thought these three insights were overly simple and not much to show for a three-month sabbatical, but over time, they have proven to be crucial to my mental, physical, and spiritual health. After reading Warner and Wilder\u2019s books this week, I have a new appreciation for leaders who hold onto their joy. Not only is it important for our personal health, but it can also be the lifeblood that positively influences our families, our communities, and our world.<\/p>\n
Warner and Wilder Bring Insights on Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder merge their theological and psychological expertise to write two books focused on leadership: Rare Leadership in the Workplace <\/em>and Rare Leadership. <\/em>The books have similar theses which revolve around four \u201cuncommon habits\u201d which enable leaders to automatically behave with emotional intelligence.[1]<\/a> The four habits include: Remain Relational, Act Like Yourself, Return to Joy, and Endure Hardship Well.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n All four of these habits are processed in the fast-track of the brain, the part of our brain that operates faster than consciousness.[3]<\/a> It is here that our sense of identity and emotional competence live.[4]<\/a> The slow track of our brain, the seat of problem-solving and reasoning, is wired to follow the fast track.[5]<\/a>\u00a0 Therefore, according to Warner and Wilder, if we can develop positive habits that emphasize maturity and emotional intelligence, we can grow into leaders that people enjoy following and who establish healthy organizations.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n The Value of Joy<\/strong><\/p>\n I was struck by the value the authors place on joy, that \u201cfeeling of well-being in the deepest part of our soul.\u201d[7]<\/a> They note that joy has not traditionally been valued as a powerful leadership quality in Western culture and argue that \u201cleaders who learn to run on the fuel of joy find a sustainable source of motivation for themselves and others that never runs dry.\u201d[8]<\/a> Through neurological and Biblical research, the authors deduce that joy is relationship-based, and therefore, leaders who excel in creating connections with the people in their lives will be most effective in developing strong teams and organizations.[9]<\/a><\/p>\n As we read in Fukuyama last week, our fractured society needs leaders who can connect people through shared identities.[10]<\/a> Warner and Wilder believe a necessary component to building a shared identity is joy. Between these three authors, we discover a tangible direction for mending divided families, communities, and nations in which we can all partake at a variety of levels. Who are the joyful leaders that come to mind for me?<\/p>\n Leading with Joy in our Families, Local Communities, and Nations<\/strong><\/p>\n Family Leaders<\/u><\/p>\n Ironically, as I was writing this blog, my husband\u2019s daughter texted me with a picture of her grandma\u2019s gravestone she had just visited. It read, \u201cGeraldine Hale, May 1, 1924 \u2013 Sept. 22, 2013, Her joy was her family.\u201d I never got to meet my husband\u2019s mother, but he talks of the ways in which she maintained joy through the highlights and challenges of her life and in so doing, brought stability and love to her family. We can never overestimate the long-lasting influence of a joyful parent on their children and future grandchildren. Even I, who never met Geri Hale, am touched by her joy through her family and the ways they have embodied her relational strength.<\/p>\n Community Leaders<\/u><\/p>\n When I think of joyful local community leaders, I think of Pastor Ben, head of staff at our church several years ago. Ben, through his brilliant and healthy relational skills, managed authentic and sober conversations addressing our congregational brokenness at the time and yet, maintained joy and a sense of humor. He connected with people of all ages, laughed easily, showed care through his actions, and loved practical jokes. My kids still talk of the notes Ben would leave on Sunday mornings for the youth sitting in the balcony. The notes read: \u201cDonuts in the Tower Room. Enjoy.\u201d Ben sustained us with his joy and prepared us for our next season of mature growth.<\/p>\n National Leaders<\/u><\/p>\n When I think of joyful national leaders, I think of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Tutu, despite the tragedies he experienced, maintained an attitude of joy which pervaded his relationships. His joy came from his faith in God and his understanding of the value and connectedness of all humans, as expressed through the African concept of \u201cubuntu.\u201d He noted, \u201cWhen you have ubuntu, then you are generous, you are hospitable, you are friendly and caring and compassionate. \u2026We belong in a bundle of life.\u201d[11]<\/a>\u00a0 Tutu\u2019s joy has impacted the world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n Warner and Wilder provide us with strong habits to cultivate emotional maturity and strong leadership. As for me, their emphasis on joy will be my takeaway. Thank you to the many people in our midst who have provided strong models of joy, people like my mother-in-law, Pastor Ben, and Desmond Tutu, for through them we find the keys to building healthier families, communities, and a more positive world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder, Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits for Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead <\/em>(Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2016), 25.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Ibid, 25-26.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Ibid, 26.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Ibid, 28.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Ibid, 29.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder, Rare Leadership in the Workplace: 4 Uncommon Habits that Improve Focus, Engagement, and Productivity <\/em>(Chicago, IL: Northfield Publishing, 2021), 24.<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> Ibid, 31; and Warner and Wilder, Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits for Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead, 24.<\/em><\/p>\n [8]<\/a> Ibid, 192 and 208, see footnote re the influence of the Enlightenment which values information over emotions; and Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder, Rare Leadership in the Workplace: 4 Uncommon Habits that Improve Focus, Engagement, and Productivity, 30. <\/em><\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Warner and Wilder, Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits for Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead, 24.<\/em><\/p>\n