My boss has given our team the opportunity to be a part of a leadership track on Tuesdays during lunch to discuss a series on leadership by Andy Stanley. Brian said the requirement was that we listen to the podcast and fill out the hand-out page so we’re prepared and ready to discuss what we learn. He would treat us to lunch as well.
I am so excited about this opportunity. Brian is not only interested in our leadership at work, but in our ministries, at home, etc. Leadership is an area I always love learning about. When Jeremiah and I were just getting to know each other, we went to Catalyst together in Atlanta and I just couldn’t get enough of the principles learned there. We both ended up listening to State of the Heart Leadership together. We had a great time learning from it.
A few things that stuck out to me in Andy’s teaching:
Unhealthy people are comfortable in disfunctionality. I had never thought of this in this way before. I have definitely seen this played out before. This creates unhealthy environments. What does this mean to you? Why do people remain in environments that are destructive?
The condition of your heart will eventually determine the moral and ethical climate of your organization. It sure is amazing that the heart will determine everything else… for out of the heart, flows the wellspring of life. Why do you think keeping our heart’s in check (on a daily, hourly basis) is so important?
When you expose your weakness to someone, that is not new information to them. If leaders admit they screw up, then the whole organization will! Yet another life-changing truth. I had the opportunity to practice this yesterday when I screwed up. It was so freeing to admit my failure and to make sure I was back on the same page with the person I offended. Why do you think we’re not quick to admit our wrongs- even though all along that person/people know where we messed up already? I really hate the PRIDE that’s in me sometimes.
I can’t wait to learn more about these principles and to dive deeper into the meaning of leadership- healthy servant leadership.