{"id":41123,"date":"2025-03-11T18:00:11","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T01:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=41123"},"modified":"2025-03-10T21:53:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T04:53:57","slug":"leading-like-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/leading-like-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading Like Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, \u201cLet the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luke 18:15\u201317<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While reading Poole’s Leadersmithing<\/em>, a phrase caught my attention: “Being a delight to work with will tend to be your best bet for attracting excellent performance from others.” [1]<\/p>\n

I liked it. There was an intuitive sense that others would enjoy working with me when I was my best self. It felt ‘Occam’s Razor-y’. [2] It was simple, but I think Poole acknowledges that by saying “tend to be your best bet”, rather than it being a guarantee of performance. As a generalized principle (i.e. if everyone acted this way), I think it is sound.<\/p>\n

I experienced a similar feeling while reading Walker’s Leading out of Who You Are<\/em> in his Undefended Leadership series. [3] The “Leading like a Child” chapter particularly caught my attention as an important factor in how we lead. Walker phrases something similarly to Poole when he describes children being taught to take responsibility: “The thing about taking responsibility as a leader is that it often breeds responsibility in those around you.” [4]<\/p>\n

This chapter opens with an example of someone who acted to resolve a significant problem involving abuse and bullying. Instead of going through a long process to bring order to the dysfunction, this individual acted locally and directly by gathering support and momentum to confront the bully and explain the consequences should they continue their behavior. The story’s climax is the revelation that this problem-solver was an eight-year-old child, and the setting was their classroom. [5]<\/p>\n

Simple Solutions<\/h3>\n

I am confident that there is much merit in the nuances and complexities of leadership theory. Walker’s descriptions of the four egos are helpful for thinking through states of mind (both in self and others) and how to respond well to each. The emotional front and back stages, uses of power, the strategies of control, and the dynamics of the currency of trust all gave valuable perspectives on the mechanics of leadership. However, all theory needs a few solid fundamental principles on which to sit, and, in my view, it is the formation of trust and acting on principles that I see as critical ingredients to the foundation.<\/p>\n

“Some basic values and principles of action” [6] were enough to establish justice and peace in Walker’s example of the child leading in the classroom. It reminds us that if we operate from a platform of well-regulated belief, trust, and being (i.e., presence) [7], we can even trust that those who hurt us can change if given the opportunity. With trust, remarkable things are possible, and leadership can even come from places we do not expect.<\/p>\n

Walker’s example shows the impact of a child not being held back by fears, bureaucracy, and others’ expectations. We see a person taking responsibility to explain the consequences of another’s actions directly, trusting that change is possible this way. The expensive and time-consuming solution is bypassed to get the real heart of the issue: the social and emotional changes needed to stop the dysfunction.<\/p>\n

Becoming like Children<\/h3>\n

The gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe an occasion when Jesus’ disciples come to him seeking clarification on who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. As young Hebrew men, they are likely products of their time and culture, steeped in the stories of the great people of the past: Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, and more. Perhaps they were now wondering where Jesus and they, Jesus’ chosen few, fit into this ranking of the greats. They were certainly thinking about their position relative to one another (see Luke 9:46 and Mark 9:33-34). In response, Jesus chooses to chill the atmosphere of pride by explaining that the qualities that represent God’s kingdom are manifest in a child.<\/p>\n

“Calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'”<\/p>\n

Matthew 18:2\u20134<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Child-like Living<\/h3>\n

Becoming a father changed me. I began to see the world through a different lens, which helped me understand God’s heart in a way I did not before. In writing on the importance of maintaining a light and playful touch, Walker says that “He [a father] delights to share this activity with his child out of the joy of ‘working together with’ her\u2013for the sake of their relationship, their love, their fun, her learning.” [8]<\/p>\n

As our first child learned to walk he loved to follow me around and “help” on tasks. I love this photo of the two of us building a workshop together: I with my heavy-duty framing hammer and him with his Fisher-Price emotionally heavy-duty equivalent.<\/p>\n

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There was no assumption that he could not join in the building. He saw his father do it, and so he wanted to and believed he could do the same, and I welcomed him in (we did draw the line at power tools). There was simple trust, responsibility, playfulness, and joy.<\/p>\n

I believe that this is what Jesus is communicating as his leadership model: the way of the parent with their child; the way of an apprentice with their master. Walker points out that a child is simple and idealist, and maybe that’s the point. [9] My son was not threatened by status or being “good enough” at this age. It was simply enough and satisfying to do as his father did. There was a simple joy and humility in the principle. He knew the joy of being with and being like his father, and I likewise had the joy of being with him and being like one another.<\/p>\n

Poole’s comments reminded me that my favorite relationships are the most joyful ones, and Walker reminded me that I enjoy being around simple people who harbor no ulterior motives, just like children. Jesus reminds us that child-like humility is the path to greatness in his kingdom.<\/p>\n

I propose we can apply a few simple principles to become more like the leaders Jesus calls us to be, and that Walker reminds us of:<\/p>\n