Category: LDRS 500

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Light from Many Lamps – Unit 4

The story of Harold Russell is new to me but after learning about him in Light from Many Lamps (Watson, 1951) I’m reminded again of the power of gratitude even when facing significant struggles. It is humbling to learn this story of a young man full of courage and willing to go to war for his country, injured to the point where he loses his hands and comes face to face with a new reality of how the rest of his life will look.

The leadership lessons in this story are many – perseverance, adaptability, determination. The key to all of those, as I read this story, is not from Harold Russell himself but instead from Charley McGonegal, the injured World War 1 Major who helped shift Russell’s perspective, to see “that the first and greatest obstacle he had to overcome was himself” (Watson, 1951, p. 89). The Major’s ability to help Russell see his weakness as an opportunity to discover new strength was the turning point for the injured soldier.

Leaders help followers see beyond present circumstances and I’m impacted by this story to remember that even in difficult, dire circumstances leaders have a responsibility to envision a new future which may have never been possible without these difficulties. Cynicism and hopelessness don’t have to be the default responses and I’m reminded of some current situations where I have the opportunity as a leader to help people see a better future.

Russell himself is even surprised by his own ability, inspired by McGonegal’s encouragement. “But the thing I never cease to marvel at is that I was able to meet the challenge of utter disaster and master it” (Watson, 1951, p. 92). The story of Harold Russell could have been so different after losing his hands without the incredible reminder from Charley McGonegal.

 

Reference
Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York: Simon and Schuster.

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Response to Jessica Sawatzky: Light from many Lamps

Light from many Lamps

Jessica, your post on Henry Francis Lyte helped me remember that failure is much more common than we’d like to admit. More than that, failure is much more powerful than we would typically like when we the impression in the world around us is that success after success is what we should expect.

“Failure has a funny way of bringing out the best in us (Sawatzky, 2018)”. So true. Perhaps not in the moment – the immediate result of failure is likely to be something we are probably not proud of – but over time the deep change that happens through failure leads to growth, development and, ultimately, success.

I also so appreciated your description of the powerful memories triggered by music. As a musician I have had the privilege of leading funerals where singing familiar songs has had a similar resonance for people. Music is an incredibly powerful tool which can embed and surface significant emotions for us.

Reference
Sawatzky, Jessica. (2018, October 9). Light from many Lamps. Retrieved from https://create.twu.ca/jessicalaugsawatzky/2018/10/09/light-from-many-lamps/

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Rank – Talk – Write

My experience has been that skill development among pastors is typically presented as leadership theory, budget management and organizational development. Kathleen A. Cahalan’s article Integrative Knowing and Practical Wisdom (2017) presents instead the reminder that pastors are practitioners who must grow toward practical wisdom.

Cahalan’s central question is presented at the end of her introduction after giving sketches of funerals led by two different pastors, one fumbling and rigid and one compassionate and merciful.  “How did this priest learn to be this kind of minister?” (Cahalan, 2017, p. 116)

Broken down by headings within the article, I found five main ideas presented:

The Intelligence of Practice
Skills can be learned in different ways which, over time, have the potential to be acted on together becoming practical wisdom.

In the Beginning
The beginning of practice acknowledges that a novice practitioner requires education, mentors, peers and opportunity to help them grow in skill and understanding.

Advancing in Practice
As practitioners advance they grow in their ability and also by internalizing the ethos of their area of skill.

Competence in Practice
As practitioners, and pastors specifically, grow in competence they develop additional skills such as foresight, empathy and seeing the bigger picture which help move them closer to practical wisdom.

Another Kind of Competence: Expertise or Unknowing?
Practitioners in many skill areas are focused on expertise while the focus for pastors is the truth that the knowledge and understanding of God will never be fully known.

Cahalan’s article (2017) is a strong reminder of the importance of “eight ways of knowing that are essential to wise practice” (p. 117). Yet the summary remains that for ministers the expression of practical wisdom is different from skill areas where “the virtues of practice are related to speed, efficiency, accuracy, and often individual effort” (p. 121). For priests and pastors to truly minister to the families they are serving, practical wisdom goes beyond skill development or increased knowledge. “Ministers who are expert practitioners require something very different: the ability to slow down and contemplate what God is doing” (p. 121).

Reference
Cahalan, K. A., Foley, E., & Mikoski, G. S. (2017). Integrating Work in Theological Education. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Publications. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.student.twu.ca/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=1500058&site=eds-live

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Response to B121: Light From Many Lamps – Part 1

Light From Many Lamps – Part 1

B, I really appreciated your reflection and I can appreciate your current challenges.

“This story served as a reminder that a leader does not lose hope.” Thank you for sharing this great reminder. I needed it today!

Hope is a priceless resource which can’t be bought but needs to be a reality for leaders and needs to be instilled in those we lead. Your post led me to think about how I am instilling hope in those around me as I lead and whether I am adding currency to the hope account or making withdrawals.

And even when hope is not abundant, the most reassuring truth for me is that the presence of God and His faithfulness means we can always find hope in every situation. Even when we are hopeless, we have the opportunity to hope in God and put our trust in Him.

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Light from Many Lamps – Unit 2

Taking time to read these stories, reflect on their significance and, with encouragement from the assignment instructions, to savour the content of the first two sections of Lillian Eichler Watson’s Light from Many Lamps (1951) has been a sweet, serene, refreshing experience. The ability of stories to help us see beyond our current situation is often undervalued. I am quite happy to be reading these stories as part of the work for this course but also as a significant time for my own heart and soul.

The story of Sarah Flower Adams (Watson, 1951, p. 45) was particularly meaningful for me to remember we all have the opportunity to turn the negative of our own suffering into an enduring positive for the world around us. “Weaving the pattern of her own life story into a familiar scriptural background, Sarah Flower Adams produced a hymn of enduring beauty – a hymn of hope and faith – an inspiring source of comfort to millions” (p. 48).

Adams is best known and remembered for her work as the author of the lyrics to Nearer, my God, to Thee, inspired by her own failing health and the suffering she experienced. “She would write a poem about it, showing how our very suffering and afflictions may be steps bringing us nearer to heaven . . . nearer to God” (p.46). The words of this particular hymn have been sung around the world by generations of people needing to find comfort and reassurance in their own suffering.

No life, including my own, is exempt from suffering. The reminder from this story is that nothing is wasted, even suffering! Illness inspired these words which now have brought peace and comfort to millions of people, even those aboard the Titanic as it sank (p. 48).

The other reminder is for me as a leader. Those around me who are enduring suffering have value and significance to add to the larger community. They are more than their illness or their bankruptcy or their divorce. Even as people are going through hard times and difficult circumstances, they are valuable, loved, cherished members of the community and have so much good to offer the world.

Reference
Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York: Simon and Schuster.

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Response to Monica Grace: Follow the Leader

Follow the Leader

Great choice in Carey Nieuwhof as a leader to follow. He would definitely fit in the opinion leader category and you’ve outlined some of the impact of that style of leadership.

I’ve heard Carey say that if he simply talked about what the Bible says about leadership or 10 verses on being a pastor (rather than the opinion- and experience-driven writing he tends to do) that every article would be the same, every blog post would essentially say the same thing.

Carey’s ability to clearly identify trends, success factors and struggles which are common to pastors, churches and even business leaders is impressive!

Monica, I really appreciate your reminder that the value you find in Carey’s writing is how it is helping you overcome obstacles and executing strategy. Leaders inspiring other leaders to lead better is an incredible thing to see!

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Response to Daniel Rowe: Assignment 1 – Follow The Leader

Assignment 1 – Follow The Leader

I’m really grateful for Danielle Strickland’s voice and the opportunities she is receiving to speak on a national and global scale. Daniel, I agree 100% with your conclusion that male leaders like you and I need to change our mindset around what is possible through the voice, life and leadership of women.

The power of a single voice like Danielle’s giving strength and courage to thousands of others should never be underestimated. While leaders may feel small and weak there is great potential in seeing lives changed and the world impacted if our message is focused and empowering, as you’ve shown Danielle’s to be.

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LDRS 500 – Unit 2, Learning Activity 3

Seeing results of leadership assessments is like hearing your own voice recorded on video. I hear my own leadership voice all the time but reading these assessments lets me hear it presented back to me in a way that gives an opportunity for reflection, critique, development and change.

Overall, it is no surprise that I score higher on task style and conceptual skill in the Style Questionnaire and Leadership Theory and Practice. Results from the Leadership Trait Questionnaire are the most examined since they come from people who know me well and are impacted daily by my leadership.

I’m motivated in my desire to focus on the relational side of my own leadership while not neglecting the good impact which comes from strength areas. My hope in taking on this program in leadership is to see my leadership tool belt grow.

At the same time, I’m encouraged that those I asked to give feedback through the Leadership Trait Questionnaire were more generous in rating my strengths and less critical of my weaknesses. Healthy critique of one’s own strengths and weakness is a good reminder that those we lead are usually more generous and gracious with us than we are of ourselves!

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Response to Matt Squirrel: Blog Post Three

Blog Post Three

What a great example of the inner struggle of leadership development which happens even when the conditions for growth are not ideal. Matt, I appreciate so much of what you have to say and the way you’ve expressed some of this inner conflict has left a real impression on me.

As I was reading Matt’s description of the tension between the desire to express these principles of servant leadership and the denial of opportunities to do so, I kept thinking about the factor of time, longevity, perseverance and commitment.

Something which may not be expressed in these servant leadership characteristics we’ve been learning is how time and longevity have the ability to grow the impact exponentially if the leader is committed to the cause and the people they are leading. Quitting too soon before the impact of stewardship, conceptualization and healing (the three characteristics Matt has written about) have a chance to take root in the lives of people around you is a major factor to consider.

I think this leads into the answer to Matt’s question. Part of the struggle of a leader is knowing when to gear up and when to gear down. Over time these opportunities can be seen in the light of past experience. Potential consequences of increasing or decreasing zeal become more obvious as the characteristic of foresight becomes a more solid habit.

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Response to daneen85: Unit 1, Activity 4: Management and Leadership

LDRS 500-Unit 1 Activity 4: Management and Leadership

Daneen, I’m impressed by your commitment to palliative care and helping others develop their skills in this area. Such a crucial role the play in helping families through difficult seasons of life.

As far as your question, I have always leaned towards the side of strong, charismatic leaders. One of my leadership convictions is that leaders should always be developing other leaders through apprenticeship and mentorship. A benefit of having one strong leader versus three average leaders would be the potential for the number of second-, third-, fourth-generation leaders who could be raised up.

Admittedly, I’m exposing my bias of what I believe the defintion of “strong leader” and “average leader” to be. These definitions may need some refining and I’d be open to critique on that.