The Sting

The Sting

Some say that necessity is the ‘mother of invention’. It may also be evident that pain generally leads to a cure.

I have twice experienced painful and embarrassing incidents while forging out ahead in the pursuit of ‘the summit’ of hills that simply had to be climbed.

The first was a brutal ‘sting’ of a poisonous plant on a hill in Cuba. The second was more recent. I ‘took the lead’ while exploring a hill in Arizona – certain “witnesses” came to my aid and spent 30 minutes pulling ‘Cholla’ spurs out of my hands and legs!

What’s the point?

Robert Greenleaf’s best selling book called Servant Leadership, shares this principle:
“The very essence of leadership, going out ahead to show the way, derives from more than usual openness to inspiration.”

Leaders, in the most part, do not and should not actually LEAD – they should not ‘go out ahead!’ Greanleaf’s reference to inspiration is the real issue for leaders. In most, not all, situations in life, the LEADER inspires those most qualified to ‘go ahead’ into the variety of situations that leaders encounter on a regular basis.

President Obama is Commander in Chief but will never lead the troops into battle. He will inspire and equip and pray for his troops’ safety.

Sherpas always reach the summit of Everest ahead of the ‘notable leaders’ with whom they climb. Moses sent Joshua ahead to ‘spy out the land’. CEO’s inspire their teams but almost never meet the ‘customer’ or ‘client’.

What’s the ‘point’ – Leaders lead by knowledge, faith, character and INSPIRATION. In other words… if they want to avoid ‘the sting’…

Leaders seldom actually LEAD!

Luke 5:4-6

Gerry Organ
gerry@onewayministries.ca