Word of the Week - High-Road Leadership
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each you to the interest of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5
I am currently reading a book by my friend John Maxwell titled “High Road Leadership – Bringing people together in a world that divides”. John shared on this topic at the Impact Leadership Conference back in December, see notes below, and has recently released his book. This is very timely given the state of our nation and the division we are experiencing in our country especially as we move towards the November elections. It is sad, concerning, and disheartening to see the state of our country and the poor leadership we have in both parties and the many examples of “Low Road” leadership we are witnessing day to day. Statistics reveal that most Americans are feeling the same way with 63% of Americans saying they have little confidence in elected officials. So, what do we do about it? As John advocates in his book, I believe that being a High Road person/leader is the solution and surely an antidote to the crisis we are facing. As followers of Christ, we are called to live this way and to model this approach, so we can be beacons of hope and light to those around us for good and God’s glory. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” Matthew 5: 14-16
High-Road People are people who intentionally give first without worrying about receiving anything back. They value every person and treat everyone well irrespective of the other persons beliefs, posture, or position. They don’t worry about getting their share because they approach life and people with a perspective of abundance vs. scarcity and believe there is plenty to go around. When I ponder this concept, Jesus is the first thing that comes to mind. He was the ultimate High Road leader and an amazing model for us to follow. Jesus surely challenged conventional wisdom with statements like this: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35
The problem - At the core is the root of all evil, we are sinners who live in a fallen and broken world. We should not be surprised by the ways of the world and the lack of High Road leadership. If you are born again in Christ, you are likely lost, insecure and fearful, and revert to basic human instincts “fight or flight”, which is what we are seeing. When leaders don’t possess good values and the conviction to walk them out, they will take the low road and use people to get what they want. This typically is achieved by dividing people and making it about “us vs them”. The propensity is to fight, disrespect and virtually demonize your opponent and assume they have evil motives; opposed to simply being able to respectfully disagree. High Road leaders possess strong collaboration bias and are able to bring people together to increase understanding and broaden their perspective without feeling threatened. The truth is that we need each other and are much better together, especially when we have different views. Our side doesn’t have all the answers. Believing we do is arrogant and dangerous. You lose the best way when you must always have your own way. We can’t divide people and expect to accomplish positive results. “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” Ephesians 4:2-3
The 3 Roads we can take:
High-Road People – see above
Middle-Road People are most common and prevalent. These are people who value fairness and are open to give-and take to keep things fair and what we perceive as even. They are willing to compromise, as long as they are getting at least as much as they are giving, and they would prefer if they get their share first. This sounds good and can work in life, but it is a mindset that limits us and is very transactional. On the negative side, when people have this philosophy, they typically have a mindset of revenge when they get hurt or taken advantage of, which is going to happen. They have an “an eye for an eye and tooth for tooth” old testament approach to people. This is not a life-giving approach and certainly not the abundant life that Jesus desires for us. It is hard to retain healthy long-term relationships with this mindset.
Low-Road People Where people on the middle road strive for fairness, people on the low road think only of themselves. We are all selfish by nature, but low road people take from others and don’t even think about giving anything back. Why? Because they believe taking is the only way they can get what they want. If they don’t do whatever it takes to get what they desire, they believe they will be left out or get left behind. Many low-road people are wounded and see themselves as victims. So, when they take from others, they believe they are settling a score or making the world fair for themselves.
Three road characteristic comparison side by side:
High Road Leaders
Middle Road Leaders
Low Road Leaders
Value Others
Seek Value from Others
Devalue Others
Bring People Together
Move back and forth
Divide People
Close the Gap btw People
Live with the Gap btw People
Widen the Gap btw People
Give more than they receive
Give equal to what they receive
Take more than they give
Give first
Don’t keep score – giver
Give back
Keep score – quid pro quo
Give nothing
Don’t keep score – take
Want others to win
Want us to win
Want me to win
Treat others better than themselves
Treat others the same as themselves
Treat themselves at others expense
High-Road Leadership – Though I often fall short, I deeply desire to be a high-road leader and pray for the wisdom, strength, and courage to walk this out in every area of my life, especially around those who have different values than me. My main motivation is my love and relationship with Jesus and my desire to be more godly, and Christ like. Even though our greatest reward will come in heaven, I also have found that living life with a high-road approach and mindset produces tremendous fruit. This is the amazing blessing of God and His ways. Our walk with Jesus is paradoxical in that as we “lose our life and give ourselves away, we receive something much greater”, we experience the “life that is truly life”, which is the abundant life of Christ. True fulfillment and significance is a path of helping others and making the world better by “loving others” first. As John Maxwell says, “I believe if you make the first move by placing others ahead of yourself and add value to them, you will be blessed and feel fulfilled”. Not only is this true, but it is how we have the most impact and influence. I believe this is truly the way we can affect change and begin to move things in a more positive direction. Most people model what they see, so we must model this for others and encourage others to do the same. How do we change our culture, it starts with us. Let’s make it our desire and focus to be High-Road leaders love and live like Jesus! “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrongs” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. They will know we are Christians by our love!!!!
Let’s purpose to be high-road leaders today in Christ!!!!!
Have a great week!!!
Duane
Duane and the Grandkids!
Popsicles with the Grandkids.