{"id":4614,"date":"2015-04-16T06:21:00","date_gmt":"2015-04-16T10:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=4614"},"modified":"2015-04-16T06:40:56","modified_gmt":"2015-04-16T10:40:56","slug":"leadership-criteria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=4614","title":{"rendered":"leadership criteria"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"tkLOe7nnQ7mnMsiuijBy_hm\"<\/a>I\u2019ve read many insightful leadership books through the years — books such as The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, How to Win Friends & Influence People, Change Your Questions Change Your Life, Strengths Finder,<\/em> and the clever Who Moved My Cheese?<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve also learned of all sorts of aptly titled leaders — The Anywhere Leader, The Connected Leader, The Servant Leader, The 60 Second Leader,<\/em> and The Leader Who Had No Title. \u00a0(Granted, we are well aware that at an early age we\u2019re roped into playing \u201cfollow the leader\u201d — and the \u201cleader of the band is tired.\u201d) <\/em><\/p>\n

Yet with multiple persons desiring to be our leader, it dawns on me that perhaps the best insight into what makes a wise, effective leader comes from a single, historical verse… a poignant, powerful verse. It reads:<\/p>\n

\u201cSo he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

To \u201cshepherd\u201d means to tend to — to guard, feed, and care. There is a component of rule there, but that rule comes only from a teacher of unquestionable virtue and wisdom. Also existent is a sense of delight, sincerely delighting in the people one is called to serve.<\/p>\n

\u201cIntegrity\u201d means completeness, fullness — in full measure. It\u2019s an innocence marked by an integrity of mind; it\u2019s a simplicity of mind, which is the opposite of mischief or ill-design. There is no evil purpose. There is only truth.<\/p>\n

To \u201cguide\u201d shows the person’s position in relation to others\u00a0— leading back and forth — often leading persons back if and when they migrate past wise limits. The leader must know the limits.<\/p>\n

And \u201cskillful hands\u201d — implying the gentleness yet firmness that understanding and intelligence provide, so that the tending to, care, and leading is done in an effective, insightful way. It also implies intelligent words that each can comprehend.<\/p>\n

As I look at this list, I wonder: are we taking this enough into account when we choose our nation\u2019s leaders? Are we looking for someone who can shepherd? … can guide? … one who is marked by integrity and skillful hands?<\/p>\n

Or… do we vote for someone for another reason?<\/p>\n

… because they share (or don\u2019t share)<\/em> a certain ethnic, gender, or demographic identification?<\/p>\n

… because they support a singular policy issue of which we\u2019re passionate?<\/p>\n

… or… because we\u00a0want to elect the first<\/em>\u00a0of something? … African American, Hispanic American, woman, Mormon, etc., etc.?<\/p>\n

Friends, I understand being attracted to candidates who share specific attributes and hold positions of which we are passionate. What I don\u2019t understand is sacrificing the above wise criteria in order to feed those passions.<\/p>\n

So I say again… \u201cHe shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands\u201d<\/em>… he cared for<\/em> them and delighted in<\/em> them in full measure… leading with unquestionable virtue — with both gentleness and firmness… effectively… wisely… intelligently… always in truth.<\/p>\n

What a beautiful thing…<\/p>\n

Respectfully…<\/p>\n

AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve read many insightful leadership books through the years — books such as The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, How to Win Friends & Influence People, Change Your Questions Change Your Life, Strengths Finder, and the clever Who Moved My Cheese? I\u2019ve also learned of all sorts of aptly titled leaders — The Anywhere … <\/p>\n

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