![The Wolf You Feed [How to Lead Well]](https://graceleadershipinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/milo-weiler-1AIYdIb3O5M-unsplash-1080x675.jpg)
We’re taught early in school to pay extra attention to the things the teacher repeats or writes on the board. I’ve learned as an adult that the lesson still applies. When an idea or topic repeats multiple times from multiple sources, I’d better pay attention.
Recently, leadership growth and multiplication have been that topic. It’s one that is on my heart as I listen to the turmoil of domestic and international news, as my oldest prepares to head off to college, as I work to support teams of people in ministry. I want to be led well and lead others well.
There’s a Native American parable about two wolves. One is evil – full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego (sound like any leaders you know?). The other embodies joy, peace, hope, humility, benevolence, empathy, generosity, and truth (sound like leaders, you know?). Both wolves are fighting to the death inside a person. The parable teaches that the winning wolf is the one you feed.
If we want to be led by, to become, to be surrounded by more good leaders, we have to “feed” the good wolf in all of us. After all, we all lead someone; we even lead ourselves! How do we lead well, feeding the good wolf?
As we learn, we go from unconscious incompetence (we don’t know what we don’t know) to conscious incompetence (I’m aware I don’t know – now I need to do something about it) to conscious competence (maybe I’ve received training, I now know and am improving) to unconscious competence (I can do this well without thinking about it and can lead/teach others).
Traveling through this cycle grows skill. I feed the good wolf by first being conscious of my thoughts, feelings, and actions. I must do my best to ensure that the initiatives I take and the responses I have align with the kind of leader I want to be. With training and practice, I may get to the place where I no longer have to think about how to run a good meeting, have that serious 1:1 talk, or tackle the team project without railroading anyone else’s contributions or derailing the project entirely. Then, I am free not only to continue doing those things well, but also train and cheer others in the process, even as I go on to learn something new.
At Lead Up, you have the opportunity to learn from unconsciously competent leaders. Ones who have taken the time to feed the good wolf in their lives and who have much wisdom and experience to share. Ideally, we don’t stop at mastery of one competency, but go round again, learning new skills, developing talents to serve the different seasons in which we find ourselves.
Won’t you join me from 5:30pm-6:30pm on the second Monday of the month at Grace Leadership Institute for Lead Up? In just one hour a month, the content from past Global Leadership Summit speakers and the group discussions that follow can help us level up and improve our practical leadership skills while networking with other area leaders. Registration is open! I hope to see you at one (or all) of our upcoming nights.
How do you sum up the entire Bible in 1500 words or less?
So much history, so many laws, so much good, tons of wisdom and valuable lessons, examples of right or wrong / good and evil.
Sounds impossible, right? But that was our final assignment in TCL101: The Story of the Bible Part 1 – After an intense lecture and discussion in a weekend class, we were tasked with telling our version of the Bible story.
This course gave me a much needed, new appreciation for the Old Testament – for the lists of genealogies, for minutia details about the Ark of the Covenant and the building of the Tabernacle in Jerusalem, for the waywardness of the Israelites, and God’s enduring faithfulness to them and to me. There is no doubt in my mind that we worship an immanent and transcendent God. He created the world, set us apart, made provisions for us after we fell from grace, and dwells in us.
If you find yourself skimming through or glossing over large parts of the Old Testament, I encourage you to take a closer look. Look for parallels with other times in the Bible. Look for all the ways that the Old Testament not only points to Jesus’s time on earth, but also to His return and the time of a New Heaven and a New Earth. We live in the “in-between” where Jesus has conquered sin and death, and yet the fullness of His righteousness is still to come with His return. Want to know more? Check out The Story of the Bible-Part 1 or any of the other courses being offered at Grace Leadership Institute. You will deepen your faith, grow your leadership, and learn how to make an even bigger, positive impact.
Do I prioritize work, the success of my children, preparation for whatever might be coming up next on my to-do list, ___________ more than worship and adoration of the one who redeemed me and tells me to take sabbath rest?
The message of the Old Testament prophets was that the covenant with God had been broken. The prophets called the people to repent for idolatry, social injustice, and ritualism. We need to be aware of these same things. And, if we do all the right things but don’t love God, we’ve still missed it/Him.
“By being like Jesus, we can become more and more what God the great Creator always intended us to be: living in fellowship with God, in harmony with the creation, fulfilled and happy in our calling to understand, enjoy, and develop this good earth. Normal at last.”
-Michael W. Goheen and Craig G. Bartholomew in The True Story of the Whole World: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Drama
NEXT STEPS: Grace Leadership Institute has a great lineup of courses with enrollment and audit options. Take a stand-alone class or work toward completion of one of the certificate programs. The Story of the Bible Part 1-Old Testament is being offered again at GLI in Spring 2024.
Craig Groeschel often points out that: “When a leader gets better, everyone gets better.”
Who can argue with that?
I have seen, first-hand, the power of good leadership – casting vision, bringing needed people to the right roles, making an impact in the organization and for the intended audience, and leaving a legacy. I have also been witness to less-than-stellar leadership. I am sure that, as I continue to grow, I have been on both sides of this spectrum through my own leadership development. I want to constantly be getting better. That’s why I am so excited about Grace Leadership Institute (GLI) and its mission.
This past month, GLI and Grace Ministries again sponsored Global Leadership Summit (GLS) for the Erie area. What a fantastic two days of learning, networking, and encouragement! World-recognized leaders presented on topics including:
While all the speakers shared from the heart and gave practical, relevant, actionable ways to improve and encourage leaders, one of my favorites was Cynt Marshall, a woman I had not heard of before the Summit. She brought passion and high energy to her talk, encouraging leaders to take a risk and make a difference – to be all IN. Good leaders lead with INtent, INtegrity, INclusion, INsight, and INspiration. These foundations are built on character, respect, authenticity, fairness, teamwork, safety, and fun. I want to be the kind of leader who is all IN!
If you missed GLS 2023, I hope that you’ll mark your calendar now for next year, August 8-9, 2024, so that you can join with local businesses, non-profits, and churches for this amazing time of renewal.
In the meantime, GLI is working to bring past Summit teachings to the community. Look for more details to come about these golden nugget opportunities. Let’s continue building strong leaders in our city, ones looking to do the right thing, not just do things right. I hope you’ll join me! You can sign up to receive more information as it is available and learn more about GLI by filling out this form.
As for Global Leadership Summit 2023, I hope that you’ll benefit from these quotes:
*Image Source: Global Leadership Network
Jesus commissioned His followers, including Christian leaders, to go and make disciples of all nations. This mission requires a deep understanding of the role Christian leaders play in building the Kingdom. As Christian leaders, we have access to four vital resources that can empower us in this mission.
Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with Jesus and allows us to seek His guidance and presence. As Christian leaders, we are called to lead with faith and trust in God. Through prayer, we can present our requests, seek direction, and find peace and guidance from the One who knows and cares for us. Prayer is not only for personal needs but also an opportunity to express gratitude for God’s blessings.
Christian leaders have the responsibility to proclaim Jesus through His Word. Our role goes beyond mere mention or reference; we are called to offer Jesus to all who would listen. In our interactions with others, we should be ready to give a reason for the hope that we have, speaking with gentleness and respect. By both our words and actions, we can lead others to Christ and share the message of salvation.
Christian leaders are called to follow the example of Jesus, who came to serve others. Our actions can be a powerful demonstration of our faith. By building others up in truth and love, meeting needs, and engaging in good works, we embody the message we preach. Our service not only impacts individuals but also contributes to the growth of the Kingdom of God.
In a broken world full of trouble, Christian leaders understand the reality of suffering. However, we have the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world. As we endure suffering, it produces perseverance, character, and ultimately hope. Our faithful response to suffering becomes a powerful testimony of our trust in God and His promise of redemption. This hope in the midst of adversity can inspire others to seek faith and salvation.
When we examine the life of Christ and the early church, we see these tools utilized to fulfill the mission entrusted to them. Despite persecution and challenges, their commitment to prayer, persuasion, service, and endurance led to miraculous growth in the Kingdom. As Christian leaders, we must be aware of the urgency of the times and awaken from any complacency. Let us remember that “the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Rom 13:11)
Let us embrace these tools and use them to bring salvation to more people, while being a blessing to the world. May our leadership be rooted in prayer, our words and actions persuade others towards Christ, our service reflect the love of Jesus, and our endurance through suffering inspire hope. Let us navigate the challenges of our time with faith, purpose, and unwavering dedication to the mission we have been called to as Christian leaders.
Inspired by John Dickson’s Webinar, “Lessons from a Post-Christian Nation.”