Leadership Notes -- Thoughts on Leading People and Making a Difference in Organizations

Word count this issue: 276

Estimated reading time:  2.15 minutes

As some readers will know, a substantial part of my work hovers around the intersection of spirituality and leadership. What does it mean, for example,  to be a leader informed by spiritual practice and discipline? 

I was struck by my friend and colleague Peter Elliott’s sermon from this past Sunday, and how parts of it were very clearly helpful for leaders. http://thecathedral.ca/sermons/dean-peter-elliott-3/ The second half of the sermon explores the scene where John the Baptizer, a kind of prequel guy to Jesus of Nazareth is speaking to a crowd gathered on the banks of the Jordan. Essentially John is saying, “you don’t get it, there is another way of living.” He then says, “listen, if you want to bring about change, share, be fair and don’t bully other people.” Share, be fair and don’t bully.

Imagine what your organization or team would look like if everyone shared knowledge, compassion and ideas. Imagine what your organization or team would look like if everyone on the team were treated and treated each other fairly. And imagine what your organization or team would look like if there was no bullying. Just imagine.

This is possible for your team or organization, and it starts with you. Share your knowledge, compassion and ideas. Be fair, including engaging with people, setting and living up to expectations and giving clear explanations about your thinking and decisions. And don’t bully; No shouting, no humiliation (even in jest), no public reprimands. It starts with you.

If you want change towards an even healthier workplace, think about how you can share more, be more fair and lead, don’t bully.

This will be the final Leadership Notes for 2015. We’ll start the conversation again in the first week of January 2016. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.