{"id":40483,"date":"2025-02-06T19:47:03","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T03:47:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=40483"},"modified":"2025-02-06T19:47:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T03:47:03","slug":"what-we-need-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/what-we-need-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Need Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"In the final scenes of The Dark Knight, Commissioner Gordon tells his son that Batman is “the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.” This line captures a truth about leadership\u2014sometimes, those in power are not the most suitable to lead. In our rapidly changing world, we face a similar dilemma. Organizations cling to authority, hoping for effective leadership, yet it remains scarce. Annabel Beerel, in Rethinking Leadership<\/em>[1]<\/sup><\/a>, argues that we must stop confusing leadership with authority. The future is uncertain, and we need leaders who can adapt, not just hold titles. This article will explore Beerel\u2019s call for a new kind of leadership, one that thrives in uncertainty rather than fears it. We will examine her distinction between leadership and authority and what kind of leaders we need for an uncertain future. Along the way, I will consider intersecting insights from Mark Sayers\u2019 concept of the \u201cGrey Zone,\u201d showing how the best leaders guide, inspire, and embrace change.<\/p>\n

Authority & Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beerel makes the simple inference that leadership is not the same and is often confused.\u00a0\u00a0 She explains that while authority is expected to provide direction and protection, leadership is about movement and change.[2]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Authorities direct, by contrast, leaders challenge and act as agents of change. She challenges the notion that just because someone is in a position of authority, they are a leader and that leading from a position of authority and being in a position of authority are not the same.[3]<\/sup><\/a> This challenge to traditional leadership concepts emphasizes the need to rethink leadership and discard historical models.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Letting Go of the Past<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beerel argues that leaders are necessary to make a difference. However, traditional leadership models no longer work in an unpredictable world, as evidenced by the ineffectiveness of many leaders in the face of crisis.[4]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Uncertainty is inevitable, and leaders must stop trying to control or eliminate change and instead adapt to it.\u00a0 She argues that we cannot rely on what used to work:<\/p>\n

If we step back from the specific issue of the coronavirus, we note that the world is faced with a multitude of systemic challenges\u2026. Extrapolating the past to try to anticipate the future is an exercise in futility. The new realities that are arriving have a different sense, vibration, and flavor.[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>In his book Non-Anxious Presence<\/em>,[6]<\/sup><\/a> Mark Sayers reflects on leadership lessons emerging from the Coronavirus Global Pandemic, similar to Beerel, with particular attention given to the Church.\u00a0 Like Beerel, he challenges a dependence on ways of the past in his critique of the industrial age and the prioritization of efficiency.[7]<\/sup><\/a> Both emphasize the need for leaders to be adaptable as they navigate the new, complex, and unknown age in which we live.<\/p>\n

Preparing for the Unknown and the Unknowable<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beerel contends that adaptive leadership at the most basic level empowers organizations and people to be\"\" resilient through change.[8]<\/sup><\/a> Mark Sayers reflects the same reality and calls leaders to embrace the uncertainty of the \u201cGrey Zone,\u201d[9]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0A disorienting space between what was and what is to come. Old structures have crumbled, and new ones have yet to form. Like Beerel, Sayers challenges leaders to embrace the uncertainty of this space by understanding it and learning to flourish in it.[10]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 To be successful, leaders must be resilient and discerning rather than reactive. A well-differentiated, non-anxious presence.[11]<\/sup><\/a> Both Beerel and Sayers identify specific leadership traits essential for success in the uncertainty of our current cultural moment; however, they differ slightly.\u00a0\u00a0 Beerel insists leaders must utilize systemic thinking that creates clarity, helps others find purpose and meaning, and has a true moral compass.[12]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 On the other hand, Sayers emphasizes the need for leaders to develop a non-anxious presence, guide people with wisdom and discernment, and maintain a heavenly perspective, recognizing transition as God-ordained, requiring patience and faith rather than an immediate rush to new structures.<\/p>\n

Navigating the Wilderness<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I consider insights from Beerel and Sayers, the powerful biblical example of Moses leading the Israelites through the wilderness comes to mind\u2014especially in navigating uncertainty, resilience, and guiding people through a transition where the old has crumbled, and the new is not yet fully formed.\u00a0 Beerel argues that adaptive leaders empower people to be resilient through change, providing them clarity, meaning, clarity, and a moral compass. Moses demonstrated this by providing clarity amid confusion; even when the people panicked, Moses pointed them toward God\u2019s promises rather than reacting with fear.[13]<\/sup><\/a> He helped them find meaning, constantly reminding them that their journey had a purpose.[14]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 They were given a clear moral framework to guide them in this transitional period.[15]<\/sup><\/a> Sayers highlights the need for a non-anxious presence, wisdom, and a heavenly perspective during transition, which Moses embodied in several ways. He remained steady under pressure when the people complained, rebelled, or panicked, Moses did not react impulsively, except in moments of deep frustration.[16]<\/sup><\/a> He was a differentiated leader\u2014not swayed by the crowd’s emotions.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t rely on his own perspective but constantly sought wisdom and God\u2019s guidance in prayer.[17]<\/sup><\/a> Moses understood the transition as God-ordained and did not try to force a new structure prematurely\u2014he followed God’s timing, even when the people wanted to take shortcuts.[18]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beerel, Sayers, and God’s example in Moses provide insights into how leadership in uncertainty requires adaptability, clarity, and the proper perspective. Understanding traditional models and discerning when to depart from them is critical. Beerel\u2019s call to separate leadership from mere authority is vital when power structures fail. As we face an unpredictable future and have the opportunity to lead in this liminal space, we must evaluate our own leadership. Are we those who not only hold power and positions of authority but, more importantly, help others navigate the unknown?<\/p>\n

________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> Annabel Beerel, Rethinking Leadership: A Critique of Contemporary Theories, <\/em>(New York: Routledge, 2021).<\/p>\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 90.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 90.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 5.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 16-17.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> Mark Sayers, Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World Will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders, <\/em>(Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2022).<\/p>\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 132-138.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> Annabel Beerel, Rethinking Leadership,<\/em> 218.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 12.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 27.<\/p>\n

[11]<\/sup><\/a> Edwin H. Friedman, A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix,<\/em> (New York: Church Publishing Incorporated, 2017), 15.<\/p>\n

[12]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Annabel Beerel, Rethinking Leadership,<\/em> 24.<\/p>\n

[13]<\/sup><\/a> Exodus 14:13-14, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today”<\/p>\n

[14]<\/sup><\/a> Exodus 3:12, \u201cWhen you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n

[15]<\/sup><\/a> Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments.<\/p>\n

[16]<\/sup><\/a> Numbers 20 – Moses strikes the rock in frustration.<\/p>\n

[17]<\/sup><\/a> Exodus 33:15, \u201cIf Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

[18]<\/sup><\/a> Numbers 14:40-45<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the final scenes of The Dark Knight, Commissioner Gordon tells his son that Batman is “the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.” This line captures a truth about leadership\u2014sometimes, those in power are not the most suitable to lead. In our rapidly changing world, we face a similar dilemma. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":194,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3422],"class_list":["post-40483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-dlgp03-beerel","cohort-dlgp03"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40483"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40483\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40486,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40483\/revisions\/40486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}