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Leadership and Humility
The experience out of which this verse comes is a good illustration of why humility can be such a challenge for leaders, particularly gifted leaders. Not only do leaders face the human tendency toward self-importance; they also encounter followers who often mistake the leader for the larger purpose served by the leader. Paul addresses the Corinthians who were boasting in human leaders. In the midst of sharp divisions and conflicts, they had chosen sides by lifting up different leaders. One boasted in Paul. Another, in Apollos. Yet another, in Cephas. This mistakes the role of the Christian leader. Such a promotion of a human leader misplaces the loyalty of Christians and misinterprets how leaders relate to followers. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they do not belong to a particular leader (or party, theology, or politics). They belong to Christ. When leaders forget this lesson, they get into trouble. When leaders operate without a theological grounding for their leadership, there is weakness. Christian Humility Christian humility is grounded, writes Joan Chittister, in our knowing that every gift we have is God's gift, not our own possession. Thus, we are stewards of each gift; each has been given so that it may be used in the service of others. She reminds us also that the gifts of our sisters and brothers are God's gifts as well. Therefore, leaders lead, knowing that others are not beneath or above them. Leaders know themselves as those with much to receive and much to give. Humility is fundamentally a recognition of what it is we have to give and to receive. It is not, as we have prayed so often, a correction to thinking of ourselves "more highly than we ought to think.” Neither is it thinking of ourselves "less highly than we ought to think." Our gifts are God's. To reject God's gifts in us is not humility. Failing to affirm and use those good gifts in our leadership, may be the most unfaithful way of twisting the virtue of humility. (Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, Harper San Francisco, 64-65) Humility without Humiliation The wonderful truth about humility is that we come to know ourselves truly, acknowledging both our limitations and gifts. Just as we have much to learn, we also have much to offer. While we are rightly reluctant to assert a supposed superior wisdom over others, we are to be quite assertive in using the gifts of God for our calling as leaders. We can then take criticism without being crushed. We can receive praise without making more of it than it merits. Indeed, such leaders can be humble without humiliation. Humility and Charisma Patrick Lencioni, an organizational development writer, speaks of the need for leaders with both humility and charisma. He defines humility as the realization that a leader is inherently no better than the people he or she leads. Charisma is defined as the realization that a leader's actions are very important to the success of the organization. Good leaders embrace humility and charisma. Balance is not the answer. Trying to balance the opposing forces by compromising both leads to mediocrity in leadership, says Lencioni. A humble leader must find a way to become more charismatic without sacrificing humility. A charismatic leader must find a way to develop humility without sacrificing the ability to move others. "The single greatest impediment to raising both ends of the see-saw," Lencioni says, "is the denial that both qualities are important.” Humble leaders tend to discount the importance of charisma, thinking it phony. Charismatic leaders rarely discount the importance of humility publicly, but many of them privately believe that humility suggests weakness, says Lencioni. ( Leader to Leader, winter 1999, Jossey-Bass ) An Assertive Humility The humble leader who is also the charismatic leader will understand the lessons taught by Paul so long ago. Leaders are carefully humble in keeping themselves and their personal agendas in proper perspective. They do not replace Christ and God's agenda with themselves and their wishes. However, these humble leaders are bold and charismatic, indeed, in keeping before everyone God's vision for humanity and the world. Humble Christian leaders have a bold message. It is not a message of debate. Humble leaders have no need to be the "debaters of the age.” Leaders witness to God's mighty acts. Jesus said to John's disciples: "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them.” ( Luke 7:22, NRSV) Rather than call attention to oneself, the leader proclaims what God has done. Notice the wording that Paul uses: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” ( 1:18 , NRSV) Our times call for greater assertiveness of what God has done in Christ. At the same time, there is also a need for greater humility that comes from knowing we are all "being saved." Conclusion Humility, then, is not about a particular personality or disposition. It is, rather, a theological understanding of how God gifts both us and others. It is not a matter of not speaking up - or out; nor is it a matter of deference or kindness. It is to know that every gift is God's gift. Humble and charismatic leaders often have success. The challenge of humility is especially great when success comes. Sometimes, but not always, church pews are full as people become full of God, the blind see, the lame walk, those who hate learn to love, and those who make war come to love peace. It is then that leaders face their greatest personal challenge. It is then that leaders most need to heed Paul's advice: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. I Corinthians 1:31, NRSV Susan Sonnenday Vogel is the Dean of the Chapel at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missiouri. Lovett H. Weems, Jr. is the Executive Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. |
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