Leadership Model for New Millenium -- Part 5
Forgiveness encompasses all four virtues. A central theme of Jesus’ message is that of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the means by which human beings may learn to love one another and live together despite our foibles and the aggressiveness of our human nature. We must learn to forgive because otherwise we cannot live together. For example, while on the cross, Jesus asked God to “Forgive them for they not know what they are doing.”
How is forgiveness a trait of effective leadership? There is a common view that Jesus’ advocacy of love for neighbor and meekness equates to weakness. The reasons given to support this view are the words of Jesus’ message: love of neighbor, love of enemies, forgiveness and turning the other check. However, this view completely misses the point. Nothing could be further from the truth; Jesus was not a weak leader. Jesus was courageous, wise and just in his dealings. His advocacy of turning the other cheek signifies that an effective leader should not hold grudges or let little things cloud their judgment and/or performance because as such things ultimately do not hurt you. However, if a leader is bothered by everything that happens, he or she will not be able to effectively deal with the big issues because their time will be consumed dealing with trivia. Leaders do not let the small things bother them.
Yet a leader should stand up for those things that really count, to include sacrificing yourself for principles. How many of us would quit a high-paying job because it is the right thing to do? Jesus, the advocate of peace and love of neighbor, became really angry at the temple when he saw moneylenders and sellers engaging in commercial activities in the temple. He didn’t turn the other cheek but whipped the moneylenders away from the temple. A leader must know when to fight for what is right.
Sometimes there are persons in leadership positions who say “I will give you only one chance or I will explain this once.” I ask what happens if that individual did not in fact understand you? Would you rather have him or her ask again or would you rather have that person go out and perform a task with only a half-baked idea of what it is that they are supposed to do? Jesus, when asked how many times should a person forgive another, he said seventy seven times seven. The response is appropriate for who can say that they are acting at their peak efficiency at all times. An effective leader must be aware that persons may make mistakes. A mistake made in earnest error is surely one that may be overlooked.
At this point it may be asked, if this is so, why then did Jesus not forgive the Pharisees and the priests? This is the key issue. The reason is most simple: because they were not remorseful nor ask for forgiveness. If an individual makes a mistake and is not repentant, a leader should not forgive that individual. Jesus would say to get rid of that unrepentant individual as soon as possible.
Jesus teaches us that we should be forgiving because after all people are human and a leader should not hold them to standards that are beyond their capacity. Yet on the other hand, a leader has to set standards that may even divide families provided that they are the right standards.
Humility encompasses courage, temperance and justice. True leaders are those who allow the weak to go first in everything they do. According to Saint Luke, when the Apostles were arguing among themselves as to who among them was the greatest, Jesus told them that the least among them is the greatest. Jesus was severe against the proud and self-righteous. For example, Jesus constantly berated the priests who loved to pray out loud so that others may hear them and who would occupy the best places at the table. He would have them sit at the lowliest places. Jesus explained that those who would seek to be first must serve others. Why is this? Because, as human beings, we are ultimately all equal and we must treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of whom you are. That is the essence of Christ’s message.
How does a leader exercise humility in the context of modern American life? A leader reflects his humility by knowing that little things matter to people. For example, General Fredrick Franks, as Commander of US Army VII Corps during the Persian Gulf Conflict 1990-1991, always ensured that his soldiers ate first, then his noncommissioned officers, and lastly his officers, i.e., the order of precedence for eating starting from the lowliest private who went first, to General Franks himself who went last. All who served under him agree that they would fight “anywhere, anytime, against anyone” for him. General Franks’ humility is reflected in the way he thought of his soldiers. He relates how overcome with emotion he became one time while preparing to start ground operations during the Persian Gulf War. He was explaining to his troops how the operation was going to be carried out and the possible dangers involved. His soldiers told him “We are not worried, General; we trust you.” What more can a leader ask for? General Franks is a very humble man and his soldiers loved him. This is a lesson in humility and leadership, one that Jesus would have agreed with wholeheartedly.
In this context, for those would-be leaders who like to sit at the head of the tables and seek the best of places as a sign of respect that they believe their due, I am always reminded of former British Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher’s observation that “being a leader is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you are not.”
How is forgiveness a trait of effective leadership? There is a common view that Jesus’ advocacy of love for neighbor and meekness equates to weakness. The reasons given to support this view are the words of Jesus’ message: love of neighbor, love of enemies, forgiveness and turning the other check. However, this view completely misses the point. Nothing could be further from the truth; Jesus was not a weak leader. Jesus was courageous, wise and just in his dealings. His advocacy of turning the other cheek signifies that an effective leader should not hold grudges or let little things cloud their judgment and/or performance because as such things ultimately do not hurt you. However, if a leader is bothered by everything that happens, he or she will not be able to effectively deal with the big issues because their time will be consumed dealing with trivia. Leaders do not let the small things bother them.
Yet a leader should stand up for those things that really count, to include sacrificing yourself for principles. How many of us would quit a high-paying job because it is the right thing to do? Jesus, the advocate of peace and love of neighbor, became really angry at the temple when he saw moneylenders and sellers engaging in commercial activities in the temple. He didn’t turn the other cheek but whipped the moneylenders away from the temple. A leader must know when to fight for what is right.
Sometimes there are persons in leadership positions who say “I will give you only one chance or I will explain this once.” I ask what happens if that individual did not in fact understand you? Would you rather have him or her ask again or would you rather have that person go out and perform a task with only a half-baked idea of what it is that they are supposed to do? Jesus, when asked how many times should a person forgive another, he said seventy seven times seven. The response is appropriate for who can say that they are acting at their peak efficiency at all times. An effective leader must be aware that persons may make mistakes. A mistake made in earnest error is surely one that may be overlooked.
At this point it may be asked, if this is so, why then did Jesus not forgive the Pharisees and the priests? This is the key issue. The reason is most simple: because they were not remorseful nor ask for forgiveness. If an individual makes a mistake and is not repentant, a leader should not forgive that individual. Jesus would say to get rid of that unrepentant individual as soon as possible.
Jesus teaches us that we should be forgiving because after all people are human and a leader should not hold them to standards that are beyond their capacity. Yet on the other hand, a leader has to set standards that may even divide families provided that they are the right standards.
Humility encompasses courage, temperance and justice. True leaders are those who allow the weak to go first in everything they do. According to Saint Luke, when the Apostles were arguing among themselves as to who among them was the greatest, Jesus told them that the least among them is the greatest. Jesus was severe against the proud and self-righteous. For example, Jesus constantly berated the priests who loved to pray out loud so that others may hear them and who would occupy the best places at the table. He would have them sit at the lowliest places. Jesus explained that those who would seek to be first must serve others. Why is this? Because, as human beings, we are ultimately all equal and we must treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of whom you are. That is the essence of Christ’s message.
How does a leader exercise humility in the context of modern American life? A leader reflects his humility by knowing that little things matter to people. For example, General Fredrick Franks, as Commander of US Army VII Corps during the Persian Gulf Conflict 1990-1991, always ensured that his soldiers ate first, then his noncommissioned officers, and lastly his officers, i.e., the order of precedence for eating starting from the lowliest private who went first, to General Franks himself who went last. All who served under him agree that they would fight “anywhere, anytime, against anyone” for him. General Franks’ humility is reflected in the way he thought of his soldiers. He relates how overcome with emotion he became one time while preparing to start ground operations during the Persian Gulf War. He was explaining to his troops how the operation was going to be carried out and the possible dangers involved. His soldiers told him “We are not worried, General; we trust you.” What more can a leader ask for? General Franks is a very humble man and his soldiers loved him. This is a lesson in humility and leadership, one that Jesus would have agreed with wholeheartedly.
In this context, for those would-be leaders who like to sit at the head of the tables and seek the best of places as a sign of respect that they believe their due, I am always reminded of former British Prime Minister Lady Margaret Thatcher’s observation that “being a leader is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you are not.”
posted by Ignacio | 12:19 PM
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