Leadership Redefined

I was recently reading a review of new book, Redefining Leadership,  from Joseph Stowell, current president of Cornerstone University.  The reviewer Steve Dill, Vice President for Academic Affairs with ACSI, notes that the fundamental organization of this book is a comparison of two leadership styles: outcome-driven leaders and and character-driven leaders.  Dill goes on to note in his review that the character driven leader must ask himself three fundamental questions.

1. Am I willing to choose character as a defining priority in my leadership? (If given a choice, character trumps outcome.)
2. Will I choose 'follower' [of Christ] as my leadership identity?  (Will my leadership be shaped by the "will, ways, and wisdom of Jesus" or by my own instincts?)
3. Will I lead with the "counter-intuitive competencies of the kingdom of Christ or with the normative ways" of earthly leadership wisdom?

The outline of Stowell's book can be readily summarized by the following table which lists the identifying characteristics of these two kinds of leaders:

Stowell cites an example from Cornerstone University where during a freshman leadership experience, the students produced T-shirt that proclaimed "Followership: leadership redefined!"  As I read that, I couldn't help but think of Paul's words to the Corinthians:  "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."  That's the kind of student leader we want to train at HCA; leaders who recognize that, first of all, they are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and can with confidence lead others to follow Him as well.

In Critcism of Praise

I was recently listening to my morning inspirational radio show on the way to work (The Border Patrol in 810) and heard Tim Grunhard, former Chiefs All-Pro offensive lineman talking about an experience he had with his daughter at the Kansas state swim meet.  In the preliminaries, his daughter swam the fastest time in the 200M individual medley by 4+ seconds ... that is a blowout in a 2-minute race!!  However, much to her disappointment, she was disqualified in the final and didn't receive a medal.  Tim was talking about her response to this severe disappointment and how he told her "Your response means more to me than any medal or state record could ever mean.  The strength of character you are showing tells me that you know what is really important and are ready to handle life's challenges."

Not unlike the story of Jake Dunn, former HCA student, just finishing his Junior year at a Christian school in Colorado.  His mom Jodi posted a picture of Jake on the podium shortly after taking second place in the Colorado state track meet.  In the photo, in spite of the disappointment, Jake is smiling broadly, congratulating the winner, likely the last thing he felt like doing at the moment.  His mom's comment - "This one made me cry when I got it today. Jake lost a race he badly wanted to win. His smile and sportsmanship with the winner made me one proud mama. He is a fierce competitor but in the end he has his priorities in check. I wish I could have been so good. You make us proud Jake. For God's glory."

These two storied reminded me of an article I recently ready in, of all places, the magazine on Southwest Airlines.   Written by Heidi Stevens of the Chicago Tribune, this article entitled In Criticism of Praise addresses the dark side of the "self-esteem movement" - the results of a culture where every achievement is lavished with praise.  In this article, she cites a study by Stanford University psychology professor Carol Dweek that shows this practice is actually counter productive.  An excerpt from this article (I would encourage you to take the time to read the entire article - it is well worth your time.):

"In the past three decades, parents have turned childhood into a sacred garden i which to plant seeds of self-esteem, cultivate those seeds with enriching endeavors, and fertilize them with heaping helpings of praise.  No gesture is too small to escape exhaltation.  Every achievement- indeed every movement - is an opportunity to rhapsodize.  All this despite clear and mounting evidence that this type of reinforcement is damaging our kids: The more they're called Extra Super Smart Geniuses, the further they go to protect that label - including bowing our of any activity that might challenge their reputation.  They stop taking risks, and their intellectual and emotional growth is stunted." 

Not all praise is counter-productive - the article distinguishes between outcome-oriented praise and process-orientation praise.  While the outcome-orientated variety is potentially destructive, the two real-life examples above are great examples of process-oriented praise, the kind of praise that encourages children to persevere, to accept new challenges - to grow!

Who knew serving God could be this much fun?

By the time you read this post, I will be on my way to the Dominican Republic, serving with Mrs. Chugg as one of the sponsors for the HCA Senior Missions Trip.  We will be working alongside a church there on a variety of children's ministry activities as well as some practical work projects for the church and school there.  This will be a life-changing experience for many of this trip.

As I was thinking about this trip, my mind went back to our first Senior Missions Trip in 2003.  Up until that time, senior trips had been largely educational/recreational with no emphasis on ministry.  The class sponsor of that class was unable to continue during their senior year, so I stepped into that role for the year.  I remember meeting with the students and their parents early in the school year and challenging them to think about a radical change ... to view the senior trip as a ministry opportunity.  The class embraced the challenge, and in May of 2003 we left for a week of ministry in the Czech Republic.

Three things stand out to me about that trip.  The first is God's provision .... This group was late in the fundraising process and had just decided to up the fundraising goal in a significant way.  We wrote traditional missions support letters and each day I came to Bible class and updated our total received on the board.  It was a joy for the students to see God provide in a tangible way.  I also remember a big garage sale we organized in the gym ... I described it this way.  "After looking at all the junk in the gym, I expected $1,000, hoped for $2,000, dreamed for $3,000 ... and God provided $4,000!!" At the end of the year, God had provided so abundantly that we paid for the trip and left a $1,000 deposit toward any class that chose a similar ministry trip.  That "heritage" lives on!

I also remember the flight home; I had a captive audience, so I distributed a trip reflection for the students to complete on the flight.  This included questions such as "What did you learn about God this week?", "What did you learn about yourself this week", etc.  I will never forget the answer I got from one student to the question "What surprised you about this trip?" - he responded "I never knew that serving God could be such fun!"  I still get chills when I think of that response; if we can get every student to grasp the "joy in serving Jesus" we will have been successful.

Finally, as I look back on that class, I see three young men who are in vocational Christian service, serving as youth pastors.  I am confident that this trip was a part of the process God used to call them into this service.  In an earlier blog I mentioned a Cardus survey which identified Christian school graduates as the most engaged church members; I believe this kind of experience is part of the reason for that.

Please pray for us this week as we minister to the people of the Dominican Republic and as God ministers to us through them.