LEADERSHIP
Leadership, like so many of life’s activities is a journey of self-discovery, challenge and growth. Sadly, in society as a whole there is a genuine void of strong, positive and effective leadership. We are called to be leaders and to serve others. Leadership is not about holding power or authority over another but rather a form of service and self-development.
Leadership development is an organisation-wide pursuit (or it should be). In order for organisations to grow, develop and succeed, every member of that community must be a leader in their own role and right, no matter their position or role.
Leadership development takes place within us as so much of leadership is founded in our character strengths and qualities. Stephen Scott (Author of The 15 Disciplines and Ethics Trump Power) states:
“We live in an increasingly divided world. It’s easy to feel like we’re sitting helplessly on the sidelines of a war against reason, decency and ultimately ourselves. But we’re not. Nobody is on the sidelines, and nobody can simply opt out of the mission to improve our world.”
The Bible makes clear that we all have the opportunity to great leaders and that the basis of this leadership is service to other.
Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
John 13:12-15
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
This is our calling and our responsibility. At Bayside Christian College, we believe in the importance of leadership development and the concept that productive leadership stems from being a productive person.
As noted by Steve Scott in Ethics Trump Power (p31)
Productive leaders develop self-discipline through conscious thought, almost like a checklist as they would rather live with the discomfort and challenge of discipline than the discomfort of regret. They understand that:
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- Our Thoughts become our Actions; the more disciplined our Thinking the more intentional our Actions;
- Our Actions become our Habits; the more intentional our Actions the more productive our Habits;
- Our Habits form our Character; the more productive our Habits the more our Character will exemplify courage and humility as opposed to fear and ego;
- Our Character is ultimately that which determines whether other accept you as their leader
Our approach to leadership, is found in the development of the various character traits and the disciplines that enable Disciplined Thinking, Intentional Actions, Productive Habits, and Christian Character.
While our College has specific leadership positions and roles, all of our students are encouraged and supported in developing their leadership, to be a stronger light in the void of leadership within our world.