{"id":41027,"date":"2025-03-06T19:17:44","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T03:17:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=41027"},"modified":"2025-03-06T19:17:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T03:17:44","slug":"like-riding-a-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/like-riding-a-horse\/","title":{"rendered":"Like Riding a Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Ted Lasso once said, “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn\u2019t it? If you\u2019re comfortable while you\u2019re doing it, you\u2019re probably doing it wrong.”[1]<\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/em> The most effective leadership isn\u2019t about avoiding problems or playing it safe\u2014it\u2019s about embracing challenges while prioritizing relationships, emotional maturity, and cultivating joy. In Rare Leadership[2]<\/strong><\/sup><\/a><\/em>, Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder argue that the best leaders don\u2019t just solve problems; they build high-trust, joy-filled cultures by focusing on relational strength and emotional resilience. This article will briefly consider the four habits of R.A.R.E. leadership, and the joy factor in great leadership.<\/p>\n

Common vs. High-Capacity<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Warner and Wilder, Rare Leadership is founded on four essential habits that foster resilience, trust, and lasting effectiveness. Warner and Wilder contend that these habits set high-capacity leaders apart from ordinary leaders.[3]<\/sup><\/a> These habits are identified by the acronym R.A.R.E. and are described as:<\/p>\n

Remain Relational<\/em> \u2013 Prioritizing relationships over mere results fosters a culture of trust and collaboration, allowing teams to thrive even under pressure.<\/p>\n

Act Like Yourself<\/em> \u2013 Leading with integrity and emotional maturity ensures consistency, preventing stress or challenges from compromising one\u2019s values.<\/p>\n

Return to Joy<\/em> \u2013 Emotionally mature leaders help their teams reset after setbacks, creating an environment where difficulties are met with resilience rather than fear.<\/p>\n

Endure Hardship Well<\/em> \u2013 Facing adversity with stability and wisdom strengthens both leaders and teams, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These four habits, which they find to be uncommon, form the core thesis of their work and relate to what they refer to as the fast-track system of the brain used for leadership and guidance. This contrasts with the slow-track systems mainly used for management. Another thread of their work explores the importance and integration of joy. They emphasise the importance of joy in effective leadership and bring it to the forefront of the leadership conversation, claiming, \u201cLeadership travels at the speed of Joy.\u201d[5]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Fueling Great Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Joy is a central theme in Rare Leadership<\/em>, not just as a fleeting emotion but \u201cthat feeling of well-being in the deepest part of our soul.\u201d[6]<\/sup><\/a> The authors emphasize that joy is a state of relational connection\u2014where people feel seen, valued, and safe. Leaders who cultivate joy create environments where individuals thrive, even amid challenges.[7]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 If neurological research shows that joy is the fuel the human brain was designed to run on, and teams flourish in an environment of joy, then cultivating joy should be the priority of all those aspiring to be the most effective leader.<\/p>\n

To foster joy, leaders must first recognize what builds it. The authors discuss practical ways leaders can shift from fear-based reactions to joy-driven leadership. Throughout the book, joy is repeatedly framed as something leaders can intentionally cultivate rather than just a fleeting emotion. They advocate for habits like expressing appreciation, building trust, and maintaining emotional maturity to create an environment of joy.<\/p>\n

It is equally important to identify what drains joy. Chronic stress, fear-based leadership, and relational disconnection erode joy and lead to burnout. Effective leaders are mindful of these dynamics and actively work to restore joy by prioritizing relational health over pressure-driven performance.\u00a0 However, as the authors point out, we won\u2019t always be able to maintain joy and must learn how to recover and return to joy.[8]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Choosing Joy vs. Chasing Happiness<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Rare Leadership<\/em>, the authors emphasize the difference between true joy, which comes from meaningful relationships and purpose, and artificial substitutes that only provide short-term gratification.\u00a0 In this area of my leadership journey, I have experienced the most growth.\u00a0 Just as a pacifier soothes a baby without actually meeting their deeper needs\u2014like hunger, warmth, or connection\u2014adults often pacify themselves with things that provide temporary comfort or happiness but don\u2019t produce real joy, by turning to distractions, entertainment, or unhealthy habits to create a sense of momentary relief. However, these substitutes don\u2019t generate lasting joy; they merely mask discomfort or stress.\u00a0 What robs us of joy?\u00a0\u00a0 One of our biggest pacifiers is the pursuit of happiness and comfort, which leads to the many aspects of avoidance, Warner and Wilder highlight.[9]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

At first glance, joy and happiness may seem interchangeable; however, they are pretty different. Happiness tends to be tied to our circumstances, relying on external factors and the events that unfold in our lives. Additionally, it is dynamic, rising and falling with the ups and downs of daily experiences. As a result, happiness is often fleeting, as it is linked to unpredictable and uncontrollable aspects of life. In contrast, joy is the fruit (evidence) of the Holy Spirit in our lives and is more than a feeling.\u00a0 It is an attitude we adopt based on our hope in God\u2019s love and promises.\u00a0 Whereas happiness is circumstantial, joy is rooted in a relationship – in what Christ has done for us, restoring our relationship with our Creator. Whereas happiness is dynamic, joy is steadfast as we trust in the unchanging character of God.\u00a0 It reflects an inner confidence in God’s faithfulness, no matter the situation. Finally, joy lasts, unlike the fleeting nature of happiness.\u00a0 It flows from knowing God and trusting in His unchanging character. Happiness may fade, but the joy of the Lord remains and strengthens us. As Nehemiah declared to the people of Israel, \u201cThe joy of the Lord is your strength\u201d[10]<\/sup><\/a> This joy sustains, strengthens, and points us back to the One who is our ultimate source of joy\u2014Jesus Christ.\u00a0 Consistent with the findings of Warner and Wilder, joy of the Lord is the ultimate fuel of great leaders.<\/p>\n

Understanding the difference between joy and happiness enables leaders to create environments where individuals can experience deep, sustainable joy instead of relying on temporary fixes. This leadership style encourages people to choose joy rather than chase after happiness. It fosters attitudes that embrace joy, even amid difficult times.<\/p>\n

__________________________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

[1]<\/sup><\/a> Ted Lasso, Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot. August 14, 2020.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/sup><\/a> Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder, Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits for Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead,<\/em> (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2016).<\/p>\n

[3]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 25.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 25-26.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 24.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 24.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 212.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 171.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/sup><\/a> Ibid., 172.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/sup><\/a> Nehemiah 8:10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ted Lasso once said, “Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn\u2019t it? If you\u2019re comfortable while you\u2019re doing it, you\u2019re probably doing it wrong.”[1] The most effective leadership isn\u2019t about avoiding problems or playing it safe\u2014it\u2019s about embracing challenges while prioritizing relationships, emotional maturity, and cultivating joy. In Rare Leadership[2], […]<\/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":[3432],"class_list":["post-41027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-warner-wilder-dlgp03","cohort-dlgp03"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41027","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=41027"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41027\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41030,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41027\/revisions\/41030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}