Here is a story found in this timeless book:
Jesus Calms the Storm
Mark 4:35-41
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
This story shows us that no matter what we face in our daily lives, we can survive and conquer storms. Leaders lead! Not only in words, but in their actions.
Let us dissect the text.
The first thing we should notice, is the fact that Jesus made a direct and blunt statement: "Let us go over to the other side." The disciples were extremely familiar with him. Whenever he speaks, people listen. Not just listen at the words coming out of his mouth, but also observed his actions. This is why it is imperative to "Know" your "Leader" Real leaders can say very little in word count, but those words have the power and the ability to move people to action.
How a leader speaks is just as important as to what a leader says. "Let us go over to the other side." He did not say Let me go over to the other side. When he said, "Let us..." He was referring to the disciples, they were included in the "Us." When a leader speaks, pay close attention to what they say, and how they say it.
Secondly, the text also says that there were other boats with him. Why is this even mentioned or important? This shows us that the influence of "Leadership" is far-reaching. Your reputation and track record precedes you. People are watching you even if you are unaware. As a Leader, please understand that you bare the responsibility of leading your team, and sometimes your leadership will impact people in the stands, ("the other boats").
Thirdly, Jesus was able to sleep in the midst of a terrible storm. The question is, why? Did he not care about the crew of the ship? Did he not even care about himself? I don't think that was the case. I believe this was Jesus' way on using this situation as a teaching moment. A moment to show the disciples, in real-time, how to handle storms that show up in our lives, even those storms that show up unannounced. This is another special characteristic of a Great Leader, the ability to remain cool, calm and collected. To show confidence, but still have the fortitude to not downplay its severity.
The reason I think Jesus was trying to use this situation as a "Teaching Moment" is how he responded to the disciples, after he spoke to the winds: He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
The disciples clearly recognized that he was the "Teacher" ("Teacher, don't you care if we drown?") but failed to understand that this was a teaching moment. I truly believe that Jesus went to sleep on purpose. Not as a person, that was tired, but as a teacher, that needed to illustrate a lesson. One of the essential skill-set of a great Leader is the ability to use any particular situation to covey a message.
As we take a somber look at the crises that our country is facing today, it is clear that strong leadership is vitally important. Our survival depends on it. Covid-19 does not know borders or the occupants of those borders. Its mission is to destroy human life, period. Furthermore, our mission is to serve and protect human life.
You may not hold a public office, or a president of a large corporation, you are still a leader. somebody is being influenced by you. The question is, are you a good leader? How do you handle a crises? Are you able to speak in a way that gives people confidence in your ability to lead? Are you able to handle the heat in the kitchen, the heat that comes with criticism?
You do have a part to play in all of this. You may be asking, what's my part? You can start with your family. You can help in your community. Encourage those that are connected to you to practice social distancing..."Stay Home!" Say it in a way that resonate with them. It's just that simple. That's what leaders do, step-up to the plate and lead.
Being a great leader does not mean you are perfect. Nobody is perfect. We don't know everything, and that's okay. What's not okay is to lead in dishonesty.
It's okay not to have all the answers. It's okay to ask for help. It's even okay to admit when you are wrong. Asking for help and not having all the answers does not show a sign of weakness. It shows the strength of a great Leader! A real Leader knows that they need to be surrounded by people that are perhaps smarter, but still have the ability to follow their Leader.
Real leaders welcome partnerships. Partnerships that have the leeway to speak truth to power. This is what really solidifies great leadership. This healthy exchange holds a good leader accountable, which makes him a better Leader, that is fully welcomed by a real leader.
If you really want people to follow you, lead from a place of transparency. Speak the truth, even if that truth is painful. Speak the truth with empathy. Connect with those that you are leading. Be willing to love people, because that's all you have in this world, People.
Take the time to reflect on your leadership. How can you improve? Remember, there is always room for improvement. What can you do to make life a little better for someone other than yourself?
You Have What It Takes!!!
Thanks,
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