Embracing High Road Leadership for a Better Future

Devotional

Day 1: Maturing in Certainty and Wisdom

As we age, our certainties may become fewer, but they deepen in significance and solidity. This maturation process is not just about gaining more years but about enriching our understanding and appreciation of life's complexities. In leadership, this evolution means that while youthful exuberance and confidence might diminish, they are replaced by a tempered wisdom that values depth over breadth. This principle is crucial for leaders who must navigate the complexities of guiding others while remaining anchored in their core values and beliefs. [05:42]

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." - Proverbs 1:5 ESV

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where your certainties have evolved. How has this maturation process influenced your decisions and leadership style?

Day 2: The Interplay of Leadership Skills and Values

True leadership transcends the mere act of directing others; it involves nurturing and elevating them through a combination of robust skills and strong moral values. This dual requirement forms the foundation of what is termed high road leadership, which not only aims at achieving goals but also at doing so with ethical integrity and a respect for human dignity. Leaders are called to be stewards of their influence, molding their actions to reflect a balance of competence and character. [09:54]

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

Reflection: How do you balance technical skills and moral values in your leadership? Are there areas where you need to develop one more than the other?

Day 3: Valuing Diverse Perspectives

Embracing a variety of perspectives is essential in today’s polarized environments. Shifting from a confirmation bias to a collaboration bias enriches understanding and enhances collective capacity to tackle complex challenges. This approach fosters an inclusive atmosphere where different viewpoints are not just tolerated but valued as essential components of shared success. Leaders must cultivate an environment where diverse thoughts are seen as a resource for learning and innovation. [15:47]

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." - James 1:19 ESV

Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you could have benefited from a diverse perspective. How can you encourage inclusivity in your interactions moving forward?

Day 4: The Essence of High Road Leadership

High road leadership is characterized by integrity, prioritizing people over processes, and acting consistently with the greater good in mind. Such leaders lift others up, bridge divides, and foster unity and progress. They are crucial in countering the divisiveness and cynicism prevalent in many leadership contexts today. This leadership style is not just about making decisions but about making a difference in the lives of people and the broader community. [18:47]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." - Philippians 2:3 ESV

Reflection: Identify a leader you admire who exemplifies high road leadership. What specific qualities do they display that you can emulate in your own leadership practice?

Day 5: Commitment to Authenticity and Accountability in Leadership

Authentic leaders recognize their imperfections and are accountable for their actions. They strive to understand and implement the bigger picture, prioritizing the well-being of others over personal gain. This commitment to authenticity and accountability builds trust and respect, which are indispensable in any leadership role. Leaders must be transparent about their limitations while striving for continuous personal and professional growth. [29:09]

"For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man." - 2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV

Reflection: What are some ways you can demonstrate greater authenticity and accountability in your roles? How can you foster a culture of transparency and integrity around you?

Sermon Summary

Today, I began by expressing gratitude for the presence of my friends Chad and Danielle from Lions Pride Leadership and Wealth, who brought a group from New York to join us. Their gesture of gifting me a framed picture of my father and the lessons he taught me was a touching tribute that I hold dear. I also acknowledged the 80 host site members present, emphasizing their crucial role in extending our mission and vision to their communities.

I shared reflections on the evolution of certainty with age, noting that while I have fewer certainties now than in my youth, the ones I retain are profoundly solid. This led into a discussion on leadership, a theme central to my life’s work. I reiterated my belief that everything rises and falls on leadership, a conviction that has only strengthened over the years. This principle underpins the necessity for good leadership skills coupled with strong values, which I elaborated on through various leadership models, highlighting the distinctions between high, middle, and low road leadership.

The conversation shifted towards the importance of embracing diverse perspectives, which I termed a shift from a confirmation bias to a collaboration bias. This is crucial in overcoming the challenges of echo chambers that reinforce only similar views. I stressed the value of shared thinking and the maturity it requires to appreciate and learn from differing viewpoints.

I then addressed the younger generation, expressing concern over their exposure to poor leadership examples. I emphasized the need for high road leadership, which values people genuinely and prioritizes their well-being over selfish agendas. This type of leadership, I argued, is essential for cultural and communal health and must be intentional and servant-oriented.

As I moved towards concluding the session, I shared my plans for a new book focused on high road leadership, outlining its chapters and the core practices that define a high road leader. These include valuing all people, acknowledging one's humanness, and striving for authenticity and accountability.

Throughout the sermon, I interwove personal anecdotes, including humorous reflections on my grandchildren and the candid insights they offer. These personal touches were aimed at grounding the discussion in real-life, relatable examples.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Proverbs 11:14 suggest about the importance of leadership and guidance in a community?
According to Philippians 2:3-4, what attitudes should we adopt in our interactions with others?
How does James 1:19-20 advise us to handle our communication and emotions?

Interpretation Questions

How does the principle that "everything rises and falls on leadership" relate to the guidance provided in Proverbs 11:14? ([07:07])
In what ways does valuing others above ourselves, as mentioned in Philippians 2:3-4, align with the concept of high road leadership discussed in the sermon? ([18:47])
How can the advice in James 1:19-20 help us overcome confirmation bias and embrace diverse perspectives, as emphasized in the sermon? ([15:47])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you experienced poor leadership. How did it affect you and those around you? What could have been done differently to demonstrate high road leadership? ([11:22])
Think about your current leadership roles, whether at work, home, or in the community. How can you incorporate the practice of valuing all people, as discussed in the sermon? ([25:27])
Identify a situation where you might have exhibited confirmation bias. How can you shift towards a collaboration bias in future interactions? ([15:47])
Consider the younger generation in your life. How can you model high road leadership to them, ensuring they see good examples of leadership? ([22:26])
Reflect on your authenticity and accountability in leadership. Are there areas where you need to improve? How can you take steps to be more authentic and accountable? ([29:09])
How can you practice being quick to listen and slow to speak in your daily interactions to foster better communication and understanding? ([17:20])
What specific actions can you take this week to prioritize the well-being of others over your own interests, as encouraged in Philippians 2:3-4? ([18:47])

Sermon Clips

"In my book on the 16 laws of communication, I call it the law of collaboration. And what does the law of collaboration say? Some of my best thinking has been done by others. Isn't that the truth? Think about it. Think about the things that you know that you didn't know until somebody came alongside of you and they shared it with you and they gave you an entirely different perspective." [15:47]( | | )

"High road leaders value others. Middle road leaders seek value from others. Low road leaders devalue others. High road leaders bring people together. Middle road leaders move back and forth. Low road leaders, they divide people. High road leaders close the gap between people." [18:47]( | | )

"High road leaders give more than they receive. Middle road leaders, they give equal to what they received. Low road leaders take more. They give more than they give. High road leaders give first. Middle road leaders give back. Low road leaders give nothing." [20:43]( | | )

"High road leaders treat others better than they are treated. Middle road treat others the same as they're treated. Low road, they treat themselves at others' expense." [20:43]( | | )

"High road leaders value. Notice this folks, all people. If you don't value all people, you're out of the game. And by the way, I'm a person of faith. Excuse me. You're not like Jesus. I don't know who you are, but I'll tell you who you are. Value. Value all people. Even those you don't like." [27:20]( | | )

"High road leaders give more than they take. They develop emotional competency. They, they develop an emotional strength that allows them to get through adversity and overcome the idiosyncrasies of other people. High road leaders place people above their own agenda. They embrace authenticity. They're real. Nothing fake about it." [29:09]( | | )

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What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?