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Lead Others with Compassion
Manz claims that when flawed human beings begin to lead other flawed human beings, compassion is the only dependable leadership ingredient that flows from real wisdom. Therefore, wise leaders recognize that we all live in glass houses, and substitute compassion for stones. Accepting and supporting others takes discipline and effort at times. When a mob is gathered, it’s hard not to get sucked into their frenzy. But Jesus leads us to look deeper, to search for the value and worth of every person, despite what they have done.
In fact, Jesus points out that we should love both our friends and our enemies. He went further than just advocating the Golden Rule. Jesus suggested that we should treat people well, as we would like to be treated, even when they don’t deserve it, and even when they act in ways that are harmful to us. I’ve heard it said that the Platinum Rule is to treat people the way they want to be treated. As a leader, that means we have to know people well enough to know how they want to be treated. Luke 6 points out, “For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
How do you measure compassionate leadership? Manz claims that you should look no further than the care leaders give to the least of their followers.
Lead Others to be Their Best
Wise leaders—like Jesus—have a goal to lead others in a way that brings them to lead themselves. To focus on self-leadership of followers, leaders must forgive and then see the opportunities for learning in the mistakes of followers. They must also develop a deeper vision—a vision of beauty in the effort and sacrifice made by each person. We shouldn’t be deceived by the shiny brightness of pretentious show-offs who can blind us to what is really valuable in people. Instead, look for the value of pennies…just as Jesus pointed out in the story of the “Widow’s Mite”—where a widow gave nearly all she had sacrificially while church leaders who gave more monetarily did it out of a heart of conceit…
Jesus led by serving others. Robert Greenleaf, author of Servant Leadership notes, “Potential followers will respond only to individuals…because they are proven and trusted as servants.”
Leaders who serve others recognize their own blind spots and rely on the self-leadership of followers…thereby expanding their leadership reach and results.
Plant Golden Mustard Seeds
Wise leadership involves planting good seeds in good places at the right times, and then letting great things grow. Manz points out that Jesus’ lesson of the mustard seed teaches us to try our best and concentrate on the little positive things we can accomplish each day, so that great things emerge. Ultimately, great trees grow from tiny seeds!
