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<\/a><\/p>\nThe marketplace for making leaders is loud<\/em>.<\/p>\n But rarely do any of these come with definitions of what leadership is<\/em>. What are we talking about when we use the L word?<\/p>\n I recently sat on a call with a consulting company that advertises its service as “developing better leaders for a better future.” I won’t cite them, out of politeness. Their website describes their service industries, product offerings, corporate structure, board members, client testimonials, big brand partners, podcasts, webinars, data security policy, and the names of the CEO’s cats (one of these is not true).<\/p>\n Amidst this content, there is not one definition of what they are actually talking about when they use the L-word. I politely identified this with the three people on call and asked what they understood leadership to be. No surprise; I got three different answers. No further surprise when every definition included the promise that leadership could be taught to anyone and they would be glad to do so in exchange for our cash.<\/p>\n The marketplace for making leaders is lucrative<\/em>.<\/p>\n But never mind three people. Ask 20 people, and you might get 20 different answers that orbit around similar themes: influence, vision, decisions, etc.<\/p>\n So, what is it?<\/p>\n In The Sound of Leadership<\/em>, Jules Glanzer takes us on an acoustically-inspired journey to the heart of leadership through the metaphor of sound. [3] What stood out to me in Glanzer’s writing is how frequently he provides definitions of what he considers leadership to be.<\/p>\n Let’s take a look at some of these definitions of what Glanzer considers leadership to be and the implications for those who lead:<\/p>\n Glanzer writes, “Leonard Sweet’s definition of leadership is right-on: ‘Leadership is an acoustical art.’ An effective leader can hear and discern the many voices while at the same time call other voices into a harmonious sound of imagining and creating the future.” [4] By analyzing leadership through the metaphor of acoustics, Glanzer is able to draw parallels between the ways leadership operates and the way sound operates, as a physical force, but, more significantly, as a communicative phenomenon between people that has purpose, emotion, context, and meaning.<\/p>\n Thee chapters of Glanzer’s work are dedicated to hearing, discerning, and deciding which voices to pay attention to [5]. Every leader is surrounded by a multitude of stakeholders, all with opinions on which way is the right way to go. In the information age, there is no shortage, and perhaps an over-abundance, of information available to the leader. [6] It is critical that the leader knows how to discern the voices and decide on which to give credence to. Critically for the Christian leader, this includes the voice of the Holy Spirit, which may sound like other voices, or very different. [7]<\/p>\n Glanzer, quoting Max De Pree, states that “the first responsibility of leadership is to define reality.” [8] The leader must take responsibility for the realities of the path between today’s reality and tomorrow’s vision. [9] They must be able to communicate and guide others along this path, by being willing to tread the path themselves, often ahead of their followers. “You can’t lead anyone anywhere you aren’t going yourself,” so the saying goes [10].<\/p>\n “When you take action, the notes become the music that establishes the voice and tone of your leadership,” [11] writes Glanzer. As a child, my mum would remind me that it’s not always what is said, but the way in which it is said that communicates the main message. I am still learning this lesson. Research conclusions vary on the exact amounts, but generally agree that communication between people is comprised of far more than words alone. [12] Glanzer reminds us that leadership is about both voice and<\/em> tone. This also includes knowing when to be silent, as Glanzer outlines in his experience learning to listen to God’s voice. [13]<\/p>\n Referring to 1 Corinthians 13, Glanzer says that love is the greatest expression of God’s symphony. [14] A symphony organizes individual voices into a unified orchestra, with the purpose of sounding good together<\/em>. Glanzer advocates that love is the central component in the Christian leader’s approach to leadership and our relationships to one another.<\/p>\n This includes partnership with others, such as those who follow [15], and partnership with God, our leader [16]. “We are engaged in a holy partnership”, Glanzer writes [17]. What a privilege it is that God is already at work in the world and invites us, made in the Imago Dei (image of God) to participate in that Missio Dei (mission of God)! Since we are made in the image of God, we are to likewise entrust and empower others, just as Christ did with his disciples (Matthew 10-11).<\/p>\n What is perhaps my favorite definition, “Leadership is Being<\/em> that results in Doing<\/em>,” reflects that leadership is ultimately about identity and character and that behavior and actions follow. I suspect this may be important to Glanzer also, as he repeats it in the book. [18] It reminds me of Friedman’s emphasis on the importance of a leader’s presence. [19]<\/p>\n “All are called to serve. Some are chosen to lead,” writes Glanzer. [20] Even the leader must be willing to serve (Mark 10:42-45), but to have influence on others is a sacred and different responsibility (James 3:1).<\/p>\n Rooted in the Latin word vocare<\/em>, speaking or calling, [21] leadership is not only calling others to follow; it begins with responding to a call oneself.<\/p>\n This calling is to transform our minds, our thinking, and the very root of our identities (*metanoia*, repentance, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:14, Romans 12:1-2). It is to become a different kind of person.<\/p>\n Yes, the things we do along the way are meaningful and holy, but I wonder if we have the order reversed.<\/p>\n Instead of God making us holy so that we can do things that are worthwhile, I see God inviting us into the things that He is already doing so that he can accomplish his greater goal: that we are transformed.<\/p>\n “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.'” That includes me, and it includes you.<\/p>\n May our leadership be transformative!<\/p>\n [1] Amazon search for “Leadership”, filtered by books only, accessed April 7, 2025, https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s?k=leadership&rh=n%3A283155&dc&ds=v1%3AMcyByHwGuV9JZ2NARY%2F79ZgIXoqUYtkXOS9qbTO9xU0&crid=3T49JT0H201UT&qid=1744149080&rnid=2941120011&sprefix=leadership%2Caps%2C191&ref=sr_nr_n_1<\/a>.<\/p>\n [2] FranklinCovey Education, \u201cElementary | Leader in Me,\u201d accessed April 7, 2025, https:\/\/www.leaderinme.org\/elementary\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n [3] Jules Glanzer, Sound of Leadership: Kingdom Notes to Fine Tune Your Life and Influence<\/em>\u00a0(Plano, TX, USA: Invite Press, 2023).<\/p>\n [4] Glanzer, xxiv.<\/p>\n [5] Glanzer, 11-28.<\/p>\n [6] Katie Malatino, \u201cInformation Overload Is a Personal and Societal Danger,\u201d March 13, 2024, https:\/\/news.rpi.edu\/2024\/03\/13\/information-overload-personal-and-societal-danger<\/a>.<\/p>\n [7] Glanzer, 24-27.<\/p>\n [8] Glanzer, 74.<\/p>\n [9] Glanzer, 111.<\/p>\n [1o] Author unknown. I have tried to find a reliable source for this and have given up. We’ll call it folk wisdom.<\/p>\n [11] Glanzer, 52.<\/p>\nLucra-ship<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nLeadership is…<\/h2>\n
Leadership is Acoustics<\/h3>\n
Leadership is Discerning Signal from Noise<\/h3>\n
Leadership is Defining Reality and Taking Responsibility<\/h3>\n
Leadership is both Voice and Tone<\/h3>\n
Leadership is Loving<\/h3>\n
Leadership is Partnership<\/h3>\n
Leadership Is a Calling to Be Transformed<\/h2>\n
\nRevelation 21:5<\/p><\/blockquote>\nNotes<\/h1>\n