Below is part 1 of an article, written by Roberta Sawatzky, who was on staff at The Leadership Centre Willow Creek Canada for 4 years. Now, she is the director of SAM Management Consulting.
Here are some excerpts from an article by Roberta:
Several years ago I was invited to a dinner party where the hostess had placed discussion starters in the center of the table. Each guest took their turn at reading a question and being the first to respond. One question I found particularly engaging was “If you could have a dinner conversation with any individual from the past, who would that be, and why?” I decided that asking a similar question to these leaders would be equally, if not more, interesting. The one change I made in the question was that this person needed to have been a female in leadership.
Once more the answers were wide-ranging but equally as impassioned. Some chose biblical characters like Ruth, or Mary and Martha--together, others chose historical women like Corrie Ten Boom or Mother Theresa. Still others would want to have a dinner conversation with women from their past like former mentors or counselors. What was most inspiring was what they desired to gain from these chats. I love the words of one young leader when she expressed “I would just drink in all that she had to offer and I would be able to grow in who I am as a God loving woman.”
In referring to Ruth, another expressed the desire to learn “…how she views herself as an important woman in the Bible. To me she had a great impact on future leaders and teaches us today about obedience to God.” How would you respond to that question? Who would you just love to share a cup of coffee with and drink in all they had to offer?
Most Christians are familiar with the biblical teaching on spiritual gifts, perhaps none more so than leaders and those looking to develop others. However, when I posed the question regarding what gifts and talents are most important to possess in leadership, I was both surprised and moved. I was fairly confident that the standard response would be the gift of leadership or something along those lines. Not so. What was reported went much deeper than that, in fact, the feedback was more reflective of what the prophet Samuel was looking for when appointing a King over the people of Israel as recorded in 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
The qualities most cited were humility, integrity and servitude, coupled with Godly wisdom and discernment. While gifts of organization and creativity were on the list, the ability to listen with great patience and compassion were of greater importance. They agreed that the confidence that allows a leader to inspire and challenge others must come as the result of a faithful prayer life that fosters learning to hear and recognize the voice of God.
The wisdom demonstrated when asked what words of counsel each would like to share with another young woman desiring a place of leadership was priceless!
Perhaps the best way to communicate their thoughts would be via a “Top Ten” type list. Here it is, in no particular order:
1. Find your passion and others will follow.
2. Focus on your task at hand and don’t be distracted.
3. Be selfish with your time--no leader is effective if they are not operating as a healthy person.
4. Surround yourself with other great leaders and learn from them.
5. Be willing to take healthy criticism. Be a servant, and listen well.
6. Honor God in all you do.
7. Pray lots!
8. Be sure to have a support team around you.
9. Become a mother first...that will humble you! If that is not possible, make sure you have somebody’s child or children in your life and get to know them well.
10. Develop a sense of humor!
This is great advice and a great article Roberta, thanks!
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