Christian Latina Leadership Blog

By: Becky Klein

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How quickly summer flies! Where did it go? It was only yesterday that school let out and students and parents were anticipating some family vacation time; more play time for the kids; summer camps and sleep overs, and many other planned summer activities. And undoubtedly, each year seems to pass by more quickly than the previous one.

As we transition from summer to the academic rigors of school, it’s incumbent on ourselves (as parents, family members, teachers, youth leaders, and coaches) to reflect on how we have been teaching our children the fundamentals of leadership principles. Regardless of age, and on whatever road our children choose to travel, they will all lead at times and follow at others. And there is nothing weak or unrighteous about being a follower. Lest we forget, Jesus considered himself a follower. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “I do nothing of my own accord but only what I see the Father doing” (5:19). He also says that he is not giving commands, but rather delivering them on behalf of the Father. Jesus’s purpose on Earth was to follow the will of the Father, even if it meant his own death. He wanted his disciples to imitate him in this way.

Yet all young people, your children and those of others, will encounter demanding times and uncertain days ahead. It is during those times that we want our children to be ready and armed with leadership skills to endure, prevail, and overcome the mayhem and madness that sometimes encircles us. We cannot choose the times in which we live. However, as Gandalf said in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” 

Whether a faithful follower or a strong leader, it all begins with one primary moral character: Trust. Leaders should be instilling trust in their followers, and followers must be trustworthy to communicate and execute on the leaders’ directives. A trusted follower doesn’t just perform the task of following but is authentically embracing and swallowed up in his leader’s calling. Similarly, a real leader inspires trust and action among followers.

I have been enriched by my colleague Les Csorba who wrote a book 20 years ago entitled “Trust: The One Thing That Makes or Breaks a Leader”.  In his book, Les describes leadership as “a character in motion with trust as its fuel”.  He also describes how the most influential leaders are: 1) purified in the fires of their own suffering; 2) shaped by mentors, individuals who are willing to build their lives into others; and 3) called for a purpose that transcends personal ambition.

Ultimately, teaching and learning are one. When you teach, you are further deepening your own understand of that which you impart to others. You are also learning what is resonating or not with others and assessing what approaches are hitting the mark with your audience. At the same time, when you are learning, the best way to assimilate your new understanding is to, in turn, share it with others. Teaching and learning are a reinforcing loop.

So, whether it is play time or school time, what are we teaching and learning about Trust such that it will mold our children into faithful followers and inspiring leaders? It is important for us to be self-aware about how we are exemplifying daily the importance of trust in ensuring the strong bond between leaders and followers. One of the best ways to begin is simply to remember what God said in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths”. Amen.