Word and Deed: Thoughts on Faith-Based Leadership

The Faithful Five

As managers and executives, we have all been in business situations where our directives appear--to us--to be clear as a crystal bell. However, as we ask others to respond, the glazed look in their eyes lets us know that something is amiss. Frustrating, isn't it?

Faith-based leaders understand that they can't get it if we don't give it to them. In other words, it's not about them, it's about you. Leslie Yerkes and Randy Martin, authors of the recently-published book They Just Don't Get It! (more book information), provide some insight on how we can successfully change resistance into understanding. Following are my reflections on their five keys to bridging the communication gap:

1. Faith-based leaders take ownership and know that they're just as responsible as anyone else involved when errors occur; therefore, they take personal inventory to assess how they have contributed to an undesirable outcome.
2. Faith-based leaders know that humility is not a weakness and realize that others do not change until they do.
3. Faith-based leaders are open to wisdom and guidance from others; they value opportunities to grow and stretch beyond their own limited understanding.
4. Faith-based leaders consider the needs and opinions of others; they recognize that a tendency to push their own agendas leads to self-righteousness and resistance.
5. 5. Faith-based leaders realize there is power in optimism and know that it can be communicated to others via encouraging words as well as body language and gestures.

Shirley Nelson

Earlier Columns

• The Sacred Seven, July 2005