A Few Ambitious Thoughts

On Ambition

The Fall 2010 edition of Leadership Journal contains a cover story on ambition and its role in leadership. The title on the cover read:

Ambitions:

They keep you going, but they can go bad.

The above statement is correct. Leadership theorists fill both books and articles with reasons why good leadership is characterized by ambition. Time management guru Stephen Covey explains ambition is connected to what he refers to as the four basic human needs; live, love, learn, and leave a legacy. Dave Harvey writing in Leadership says that “without ambition nothing happens” (p. 21). He reinforces Covey’s idea about the need to leave a legacy as he states: “If you undermine ambition, you rob people of their desire and will to do something great with their lives” (p. 21). Ambition is not a bad thing. Ambition creates new technologies, new approaches to old problems, and beneficial ministries. As Harvey says without ambition nothing positive or worthwhile gets done.

The problem with ambition is that it has not only a light side; it also has a dark side. Ambition can destroy as well as build up. Ambition can eat at the heart and soul of the leader leaving him or her empty. A legacy may have been left but not the legacy they he or she may have intended. JR Kerr in the same Leadership issue wrote of the power of narcissism to derail positive ambition. Narcissism is driven by a pathological need to think well of oneself which results in an abnormal self absorption. Kerr would suggest that you know when you are slipping toward the dark side of ambition when you engage in self-aggrandizing behaviors whose goal is to show that you are as good or better leader than others in your sphere.

Kerr shared a story in his article that captures the tension created by the light and dark sides of ambition. He said he came home one day and found his wife researching the term narcissism on the computer. He wrote:

This isn’t a problem for me. Narcissism is the adulation of self, the diminishment of others, and often expressed as reckless ambition. Nothing could be more inconsistent with the character of Christ—the self-sacrificing servant who sought only to do the will of the Father. How can I be a pastor, a servant of Christ, and struggle with this (p. 30)?

Kerr and Harvey in their articles raise the question of balance in ambition. Ambition is common to all humans. Everyone is ambitious. Some may have found their ambition drained by negative statements that bombarded them in their formative years. Or, they have denied their ambitious for fear of failure and rejection. So if ambition is part and parcel to leadership just how do we keep from slipping over to the dark side? First, we want to remember that a Christian worldview perspective helps us understand ambition in a positive way. It begins with understanding the implications of Genesis 1:26. This passage that tells us we were created in the image of God, but it also suggests much more. It tells us that we have an essence that precedes our existence. God created us because of a desire (let us make), with a plan (make man), a pattern (in our image, in our likeness), and a purpose (so that they can rule or steward). A Christian worldview perspective recognizes that ambition is normal. God created us with a natural drive to thrive. Living in harmony with God and his creative purpose for us allows us to experience harmony with him which in turn allows us to experience a natural and normal harmony with ourselves. When we are living in harmony with God and ourselves we have a foundation for living in harmony with others. Living with these harmonies protects us from the dark side of ambition. Ambition that is rooted in the knowledge of and an understanding of the implications of being created in the image of God reminds us that God created us with a purpose. Living with a sense of purpose fuels ambition in a positive and healthy manner. The fact that we all have a drive to thrive is not the result of a sinful nature but is rooted in God’s sense of normal for us as human beings. God created us to thrive and out of that natural and normal drive to thrive ambition emerges.

A Christian worldview perspective also tells us about the dark side of ambition as well. Christian worldview is built on the scripture narrative of God, creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. God has created human beings as good and capable of accomplishing his purpose to steward his creation. However, scripture clearly teaches that human beings have been impacted by the fall and we wrestle with the ongoing results of that original fall in our lives. The fall brought about disharmony and introduced the dark side of conflict in our lives. The conflict ushers us into the dark side of ambition. The primary characteristic of the dark side of ambition is self-preservation. Adam and Eve demonstrated that by covering their nakedness with leaves, hiding when they heard God call and blaming behaviors when God confronts them. Their ambition was transformed from a normal means of thriving to an abnormal desire to survive.

What can we learn about ambition by thinking from a worldview perspective? First, it is not evil in and of itself. Ambition is a normal characteristic of our lives. God created us to thrive and ambition is the fuel which powers our drive to thrive. The fact is that we were created with an essence, a reason for being; which helps us understand why we seek to do well and feel good about what we accomplish. The second thing we learn is that ambition’s dark side is rooted in the disharmony created by the fall. Thriving is still possible despite our fallen condition. The fall does not mean we no longer possess the characteristics and drives that come from being created in the image of God. Rather, it helps us understand why surviving often trumps thriving. When we understand ambition in light of the scriptural narrative we have a means for developing strategies for living with the tension of the light and dark sides of ambition. This leads to a third thing we learn about ambition by thinking from a biblical worldview perspective. Balancing the need to survive with our desire to thrive is best accomplished when we see the importance of living in harmony with God as our first priority. When we seek to grow and thrive within that harmony afforded us by Christ’s redemption of our life and character then we have a secure place from which to manage our ambition. Our ambition is not rooted in our need to survive but it is a means for thriving as we live with a sense of purpose. Our purpose is rooted in the fact that we were created to be co-regents with God. God brought us into being because of his desire, with a plan and purpose that are congruent. The dark side of ambition is moderated by this understanding.

What needs to be done? Start by thinking reflectively about your understanding of the story of creation and how it informs you regarding leadership and ambition. Next, ponder the implications of the fall and the fact that you have been redeemed. Being redeemed means we can live normal lives in an abnormal world. Redemption means that we can understand the tensions we encounter and develop strategies that are consistent with God’s purpose and desire for our lives. Go ahead be ambitious. Go ahead and dream big dreams. Go ahead in the power of the purpose that God created you for and achieve big things!

Why You Think the Way You Do

I just finished reading a very interesting book by the title of Why You Think the Way You Do: the Story of Western Worldviews from Rome to Home. The author is Dr. Glenn S. Sunshine a professor of history at Central Connecticut University. He is also a Research Fellow at Acton Institute and a faculty member of the Centurions Program at Charles Colson’s Breakpoint, the worldview training ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries. You can get a more complete picture of his background on the cover of the book.

The basic premise and conclusion of his thorough analysis of worldview perspectives in western society is to demonstrate that “As Christianity’s influence on the western worldview has declined…since ideas have consequences, since worldviews inevitably shape culture and even their most extreme implications are eventually put into practice, it is no accident that people in our culture are acting more and more like the Roman” (p. 203). The journey through western worldviews begins with a look at the pluralism of Rome’s various religions and the idea of tolerance that was built into the various religious expressions. Sunshine provides a readable yet substantial enough description of paganism (worship of nature), the mystery religions (mystical experiences with the deities), and Neoplatonic religion (mystical union with the One). The point he makes is that the Roman religious scene was comfortable with this pluralism and were tolerant up to a point. The point at which their tolerance ended was with the rise of Christianity and its growth from a Jewish sect into a Jewish and Gentile religious expression. The Roman Empire lost its patience with Christianity because it violated its worldview perspective of tolerance for all religions. Christianity made a claim of exclusivity “The claim that Christianity is true and everything that contradicts it is false. As in society that makes tolerance its principal virtue, there were limits, and Christianity’s claims of exclusivity crossed them” (p. 41).

What follows next is a discussion of the transformation from pagan worldview to a Christian worldview (chapter 2). To Sunshine’s credit he shows that the transformation which begins in the 4^th century is continued through the medieval period. Chapters 4 and 5 demonstrate the development of a Christian worldview during this period and how these developments benefitted western society and provided the foundational ideas that would be embraced by those who would follow; though important elements of the worldview would be challenged. Chief among the ideas that would be challenged is epistemology (question of knowledge). Sunshine shows how the Renaissance, Reformation, and Pyrrhonism challenged the medieval epistemology and how a new epistemology rose during the modern period. Sunshine does a very good job of summarizing and providing some correctives to the science versus faith debate in chapters 6 and 7. Chapter 8 examines the challenges to the Christian medieval worldview from the perspective of the Enlightenment and the three revolutions of the period (Glorious Revolution, American, and French). Chapter 9 is a history of the modernist worldview and how western society moved from Deism to Materialism and the implications of the shift.

The most profound implication may be what Sunshine describes as the call of the irrational. Materialism raises a number of profound questions. Sunshine mentions the following:

• How do you explain art scientifically?

• How do you do a scientific analysis of love in such a way that does not make it meaningless?

• If the human brain is the product of random chance plus time working on the primordial soup, how can we imagine the brain is capable of understanding the world, or even giving us accurate information about it?

These questions lead to chapter 10 and the rise of postmodernism and its embracing of the irrational whether it be through deconstruction, the politicization of language, or the emergence of the new spirituality. Sunshine concludes chapter 10 with the following observation: “…in the union of postmodernism with the new spirituality, we have come full circle and returned to the worldview of ancient Rome” (p. 202).

Why should leaders read this book? First, it builds upon the understandings that many of us have gleaned from James Sire’s worldview catalog in the Universe Next Door. Sire provides a philosophical and systematical way to understand the various worldviews. What Sunshine’s book provides is a historical narrative that helps us see how the worldviews developing and some of the major implications that the development had upon economics, labor, marriage and family, and other concerns that leaders have. Chapter 11 entitled Trajectories gives the thoughtful leader much to think about. A second reason that I would urge leaders to read this book is that his analysis forces us to consider how we ought to think, as opposed to, going with the cultural flow of thought. If we understand the” current” of thought we can find ways to get out of the current and find ways to reflect on where it is taking us. Leaders cannot be swept away by the current of worldview thinking. Leaders need to be informed and then thoughtfully reflect on what they are receiving. Then and only then are leaders prepared to lead. Leadership by its very definition is not a go with the flow mentality. The current direction of worldview thinking is going to produce some discomforting realities for leaders who are Christian (chapter 11). We need to see where the rapids are so we can help navigate others through the whirlpools and dangerous drops.

Academics may be less than enthusiastic about this book. In eleven chapters it has only 60 footnotes. Academics may want more in this regard. However, I will stand behind my recommendation of this book because the careful reader will be forced to pause and think. I can think of no greater reason to read than to expand our thinking and open new ways of seeing and ultimately leading.

Mysteries of Leadership

I have been reading a book by leadership scholar, James McGregor Burns, entitled Transforming Leadership (2003). The opening chapter deals with what Burns calls the mysteries of leadership. The mystery is coming to an understanding of the emergence of the phenomenon that we call leadership. Is leadership the result of certain traits that are found in those who have in some extraordinary way affected a change in the course of human events? Or, is leadership the result of certain events and circumstances that propel an individual into the role of leadership? Burns suggests that the inquiry into the mysteries of leadership is complicated because strong arguments can be presented that support one or the other; while at the same time an argument can be made for both as part of the mystery.

How do we as Christian thinkers make sense of the mysteries of leadership? Many who find themselves in leadership roles have wondered; “Am I in this role because of some quality or qualities that I possess or am I in this position because I am in the right place at the right time?” Some wonder; “Am I in a leadership position only because of the will of God and there is absolutely nothing about me or the situation that has contributed to the role of leadership I have?” Why does this even matter? All of these potential explanations can be used as a crutch or as an explanation. We can use the theories to explain how it is certain parachurch ministries, agencies, camps, or churches have experienced a positive change. The circumstances were just right for the change to occur. We might say that given those circumstances how could they help but be successful. Looking at the situation or circumstances can become a crutch as we seek to differentiate our circumstances from the circumstances elsewhere to demonstrate that nothing could be done given the circumstances in which we find ourselves. If something significant is happening because of an individual we want to know what it is that they bring to the table that explains the positive change. If we know what qualities or traits that the individual has we can try and develop those same qualities or explain why they were successful and we aren’t. Finally, there is a certain degree of comfort in saying that it is all God. If things work well we can sound pious as we call it a God thing. Or, if things don’t go well we can slough off any sense of failure because it is obvious that God has not called us to this or that specific task.

I submit to you for your consideration that the bigger question is; “How does looking at the mysteries of leadership through a biblical worldview help us make sense of the mystery? This is an important question because too often people read leadership books and look for ideas or perspectives that appeal to them and then try to give them biblical legitimacy by proof-texting the idea. A biblical worldview perspective is more than finding proof-texts to back up our ideas and/or perspectives. Biblical worldview analysis of leadership starts with the biblical narrative that looks at leadership in light of the purpose of scripture. I want to urge you to not look to scripture to find a theology of leadership. Scripture was not written to help us be the right kind of leader. Rather it was written to show us God’s purpose for his creation, including the human component of his creation. Consider that we are not looking so much for a theology of leadership as much as we are developing a theology to inform our leadership. The ultimate purpose that we were given the scripture is to know what the human predicament is, how it came to be, what it is that God has done, and how we ought to then live. Thus, we want to look at leadership through the narrative of God, creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.

The benefit of a looking at how scripture informs our leadership recognizes that God has equipped humanity to be leaders. The biblical narrative also points to the fact that as leaders were also expected to be followers. Human leadership from the biblical narrative is less about certain qualities or traits that distinguish leaders and followers or even situations that create leaders. Rather, as we follow the narrative we see leadership as a creational purpose. Genesis 1:26-28 is the starting point of humankind’s leadership. Genesis 1:26-28 reads:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of god he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth. And subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

This part of the narrative shares God’s expectation. Verse 26 yields a simple formula that demonstrates God’s intention. It can be expressed in the following way:

Divine desire (let us) + Divine plan (make man) + Divine pattern (in our image and our likeness) + Divine purpose (let them rule over…).

Divine desire demonstrates that God is making a free choice. This is what God wants for humankind. Divine plan demonstrates that God’s plan is congruent with the purpose for which God was making humankind. Leupold in his commentary (Exposition of Genesis Vol. 1) notes that the word man is linked not so much to gender but to task as “cultivator of the soil” (p. 88). God has a desire to make those who will care for and cultivate the soil. He then equips them for this role by creating them according to a divine pattern. Leupold writes: “Man is not only made after the deliberate plan and purpose of God but is very definitely patterned after Him” (p. 88). The purpose for which God creates humanity is that they would rule. God is entrusting the creation to those whom have been formed in his image. God is creating and entrusting to another the role of leadership (for further explanation see Walter Brueggemann’s commentary pp. 32-33).

The biblical narrative does not yet provide a detailed plan for exercising leadership beyond being a leader according to the pattern of the imago Dei. What the biblical narrative does provide is an understanding that from the beginning God desired that human beings be leaders and that by creating us according to a plan and a pattern that was congruent with the his divine purpose we are able to exercise leadership that is consistent with God’s desire. The mystery of leadership is best understood in terms of God’s desire, plan, pattern, and purpose. Humanity was formed by God in the image of God in order that they might exercise leadership that reflects the character and purpose of God as self-giving. “The man and the woman are not chattel and servants of God, but the agents of God to whom much has been given and from whom much is expected” (Brueggemann p. 33).

How does this help us think about the emergence of leadership? We understand leadership as not dependent upon either traits or circumstances but as the result of a creational commission. You and I are commissioned by God to be leaders. Leadership is not gender-specific but is gender-shared. The origin or emergence of leadership is not rooted in positional thinking but in seen in relationship to the Creator God’s intention and purpose. Human leadership is seen as something which has been given and thus is exercised in humility and in submission to God’s purpose. Simply, the emergence of leadership is seen in relationship to one being a faithful follower of God as leader. The traits of leadership are rooted in being created in the image of God. The circumstance which produces leadership is God’s creational desire and expectation. Human beings are leaders because of a Divine desire, Divine plan, Divine pattern, with a Divine purpose; therein lays the mystery of leadership.

What Should Go and What Should Stay

This week’s Lincoln on Leadership podcast consisted of interviews with a number of different leaders who hold various kinds of leadership positions speaking to what they thought about leadership. Specifically, they were asked to speak to what aspects of leadership theory or practice that leaders are hanging on to from the last century that ought to be jettisoned as we get ready to enter the second decade of this new century. I urge you to listen to their answers by clicking here or onto the podcast icon on the web page.

After you have listened in join the discussion by commenting at the end of this blog. Don’t forget that we want to hear from you your ideas are important and we can learn from each other as we share from our research, experiences, and our reflections on leadership.

In the next few days (probably early the week of July 19) on the Hargrove Leadership webpage you will find a link go active to forums, and we want your participation in these. Our desire is that the forums will be a way to share what you have learned about leadership or a place to ask questions and get answers. My hope is that you will begin to think of the Hargrove Leadership Institute and its webpage as your toolbox. The desire of the staff, faculty, and administration of Lincoln Christian University is that you will see Lincoln as a place to continue to learn and to get real life answers to your real life problems.

You might be wondering what my thoughts are about the question of what needs to go and what needs to stay in regard to leadership. Well, my take is not so much about what needs to go but what I learned in the last century that I think we ought to keep. I learned the value of leading with a purpose and I am still doing my best to lead from with purpose in mind. Not just any purpose, but a purpose that is rooted in theology. When I first began teaching as an adjunct professor in the 1990’s I told my students “Know your theology, know your purpose.” What I wanted my students to understand is that leadership that is not rooted in a theological or biblical worldview is not going to be sustainable. Sustainable leadership or leadership that survives the verities and difficulties of the day-to-day is leadership that is not coming from books or current fads.

My suggestion to all who read this blog is to do your theology first and allow your leadership purpose, philosophy, and methods to rise from your theology. I know that for most of you this statement is a “duh.” If that is the case I am glad. But I am wondering if you are assuming that your leadership is rooted in a sound theological understanding or if you have actually done the work. I am not judging anyone- I am only observing that many people dance around the edge and speak one way about leadership and act in completely different ways. So that is why I am looking for folks to share what they have learned about leadership from their study. Join in the discussion and let’s learn together.

Our Mission and Method

The Hargrove Leadership Institute’s mission is to nurture and equip Christian Leaders with a biblical worldview to serve and lead in their chosen profession with professional competency. What does that mean? First, it means that we will always be focused on how a biblical worldview impacts how we think, feel, and act regarding leadership and management topics. We want those who avail themselves of the Leadership Institute’s many programs to think about leadership and management using a biblical matrix (orthodoxy) to inform their practice (orthopraxy) and to shape their heart (orthopathy). Perhaps a simpler way to say it is that we want to help Christian ministry professionals to have their head, heart, and hands in sync because they have a clear understanding of how biblical worldview thinking impacts how they lead and manage their ministry.

Second, we are committed to helping Christian leaders to further develop new skills and new perspectives in the area of leadership they are currently working. That means if you are the director of a crisis pregnancy center you will receive education and training that will help you be a better leader of your ministry and a better manager of the resources that you have available to you. If you are a youth minister you will find resources and programming that will help you be the best youth minister you can be. If you are a nursing home administrator you will find resources and programs to help you. Christian counselors working in parachurch counseling centers or working in a-for-profit counseling center will receive the CEUs necessary to stay current with their license and the field. No matter what area of leadership you are focused on, Lincoln Christian University wants to become your first stop for information and programming to help you be a competent leader.

Professional competency is increasing important in these difficult financial times. Christian leaders in mission agencies, food pantries, crisis pregnancy centers, Christian camps, parachurch youth ministries are all struggling to help their organization survive in this economy. It is no different for ministers, the economic crunch impacts churches as well, so it is important for all leaders to be competent. The truth is; there is very little wiggle room any longer. Being loved by your ministry or church board may not be enough. They can love you but they also need for you to be well-informed and competent. Our resources will help you answer questions that you have about a variety of leadership issues in order that you can avoid mistakes, spinning your wheels, or being ill-informed.

How will we accomplish this? We are committed to both formal and informal continuing professional development (CPD) programs. Formal programs will include CEU seminars for counseling professionals. It will also include a variety of certificate programs that will provide completers of the program professional credentials that demonstrate the holder has both understanding and skills to increase their competency. We will continue to sponsor community-wide events that strengthen area churches as we have been doing in Decatur and Danville the past several years. Informal means we will be utilizing web-based methods to provide 24/7 access to important information and skill development materials. This will include weekly podcasts, blogs, and forums. Early in 2011 we have fully online non degree courses in a variety of areas that will help individuals strengthen their skills or to receive training and development in new areas of leadership.

How can you help us help you? I want to invite you to use the comment section of this blog to share with us what professional development means to you. What is it that the Hargrove Leadership Institute can do to help you? What topics would you like us to address? What kinds of tools would you suggest we use to make the information you need available? Share with us what you think so that we can serve you as best we can.

Next week the blog will contain comments made by a variety of leaders at the North American Christian Convention about the state of leadership as we move into the second decade of the new century. Out podcast next week will be focused in on the same topic. It should be an interesting discussion and we will want you to weigh in on the topic as well next week.