Follow Jesus’ example (Impart Courage)
This blog is the seventh in a new series on excellence in leadership. Drawn from Chapter 11 of my book “More Than Your Business Card,” it explores Jesus’ conduct as the perfect example we are called to imitate.
GREAT LEADERS IMPART COURAGE
According to Lexico Dictionaries, courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one.” In “The Screwtape Letters,” C. S. Lewis adds, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” Winston Churchill’s leadership of Britain during World War II is one of many excellent examples. In an article published in Forbes magazine, Bill George of the Harvard Business School states, “The defining characteristic of the best [CEOs] is courage to make bold moves that transform their businesses.”
Courage is inevitably necessary when leading organizations, particularly when undertaking transformative change. The greatest leaders are not only personally courageous, but they are also able to impart courage to those they lead. The impartation of courage requires clear delegation of authority that is supported by confidence in the ability of the subordinate to exercise that authority wisely.
Reflecting on my own career, I can clearly see this phenomenon at work. For example, when I was a young analyst in an investment department, my boss demonstrated courage by risking his and the company’s reputation on me. Shortly after hiring me, he delegated to me the authority (within prescribed limits) to solely represent the company in many meetings with CFOs and CEOs who were usually several years my senior. Over the years, my various bosses have encouraged me with words of confidence in my ability to achieve the organization’s goals in a manner that gave credit to them.
No one better exemplifies the ability to impart courage than Jesus. He delegated full authority to His followers to represent Him in the world. Following His resurrection after claiming absolute authority, Jesus commissioned His followers to represent Him in the world by making new followers. On a previous occasion, He encouraged them to believe they would do even greater works than He had accomplished during His earthly ministry (see John 14:12). How is that for risk-taking?
The wonderful news is that Jesus has not left us as orphans but instead has sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and empower those who believe in Him!
Unlike the aforementioned new employer who didn’t know me, Jesus knows everything about you and me, including our every thought! I don’t know about you, but a quick review of my own conduct confirms that I am not always a credit to Jesus’ reputation. The wonderful news is that He has not left us as orphans but instead has sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and empower those who believe in Him (see John 14:15–18).
His impartation of courage proved out then, and it continues to do so today. Many of His followers died for their refusal to deny Him. Sadly, this remains the case today as believers around the world are being persecuted, sometimes killed, for their refusal to deny Jesus.
Here’s a question to ponder. Are you imparting courage to those you lead? Also, are you acting on the courage imparted to you by the indwelling Holy Spirit to share your faith fearlessly with others including your professional peers?
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
