A leadership principle:

He who thinks he leads but has no one following is only taking a walk. 

Many “leaders” are light years ahead of their constituents and end up leaving them in their dust.  Joel puts it well when he writes, “Leading with love needs to be taught and measured; we need to care how people achieve their tasks, not only if they achieve them.  Leading with love needs to be more integrated into an organization’s operating model, but we must still lead, using our power and love while navigating difficult decisions and difficult times with unwavering dedication. ”  (p.150)

I think one of the hardest things to do is lead with love,  while also leading with balance.  Many lead saying, “I’m going to love.”  Meanwhile, they are unwilling to make the hard calls.  File under people-pleasers.  Others say, “What I say goes.  I’m the boss around here.”  File under tyrants.  There has to be a happy medium.

I won’t cloud the truth.  I was am a people-pleaser.  (I am a Sanguine)  Let me rephrase that: I love pleasing people.  I like making people happy.  Unfortunately, that sometimes morphs into “I gotta please everyone.”  I don’t have to tell you what happens when that mentality kicks in.  I run around like a chicken with its head cut off, flitting from here to there trying to make Group A-B-C happy.  You get the picture of the man spinning plates and trying to keep them all going.  Yeah…

IT. DOESN’T. WORK!!!!

On the other end of the spectrum is the one who runs a “tight” ship.  No tomfoolery.  No quibbling (with his ideas).  No hesitation.  Choleric personalities run a muck fit this one.  I really like the quote attributed to Dr. MLKing: “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.”  B-I-N-G-O!  That sums up what I have been saying in this post.  I know people…you know people…who fit each side.  The real leader is a blend of the two.

There is no greater example than Jesus.  Check out this Scripture.   Jesus had the power, but on His last night with His followers, He embodied love by washing their feet.   Choosing to lead with love is a tough decision, but one a wise leader makes.  It takes dedication to make that happen.  But it’s worth it.  Can you imagine what would happen in churches if the pastor/staff was not interested in “I’m head,” but in seeing whom they can serve?  And please don’t get me started on special parking places with a sign “Reserved for Pastor.”  That’s a real gag reflex you’re hearing. 🙂

Jon Stolpe and I are blogging about Love Works by Joel Manby.  We have two weeks left after this post (one more chapter and a wrap up).  Make sure you read his take on this chapter here.  Meanwhile, have any thoughts? Where do you think dedication fits in?