In the beginning of this series, I introduced several questions (see below) and embarked on a time of reflection about my trip to South Africa in 2022 that helped me to answer them.

Why is racial healing needed, particularly at this undefinable epoch? How can racial healing and leadership, a potent combination, rise to meet some of the unforeseen challenges we will likely face in the next several years?

Third Lesson

The third lesson on leadership that I gleaned involves leading from a place of love. Simon Walker describes emptying and becoming free from entanglements so one can lead others because they desire to see them live their highest selves.[1]

Inner Desire

We read and heard this about Archbishop Desmond Tutu - his deep love for others. He honored people because they were created in the image of God.[2] Tutu, Mandela, and Walker had an inner desire to see the goodness in people. This desire was born out of love because of their faith.

Lead Like Jesus

In Lead Like Jesus, Ken Blanchard writes, "When you love those you influence, you help them move from who they are to whom God wants them to be."[3] This type of love is strong, resilient, and tenacious - which translates into allowing those you love or are leading to go through painful times to become responsible and learn life lessons.

Self-Differentiated Leader

Friedman also encourages leaders to find ways to hold reactive people accountable and take responsibility. Still, he argues that the self-differentiated leader's calm and settled integrity are the determining factors in igniting change.[4].

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for part five in the coming week. If you missed the previous posts, visit my blog website: https://coachrobinson.org/blog to catch up on this series and other Solid Ground Topics.

[1] Simon Walker, Leading Out of Who You Are Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership (Kindle Edition: Piquant Editions, 2007), 196.

[2] Desmond Tutu, No Future Without Forgiveness, (New York: An Image Book, 1997), 6.

[3] Ken Blanchard, Phyllis Hendry, and Phil Hodges, Lead Like Jesus: Revisited Lessons From the Greatest Leadership Role Model Of All Time, (Nashville: W Publishing, 2016), 43.

[4] Edwin H. Friedman, A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix. Rev. ed. Edward W. Beal, and Margaret M. Treadwell (New York: Church Publishing, 2017), 146.