By Chad Hershberger
When I was on camp summer staff in the early 1990s, I learned of a song by Christian music artist Michael W. Smith called “Give It Away.” The line that sticks with me in that song is this: love isn’t love ‘til you give it away. The song also reminds us that Jesus’ love was his life, and he gave that away for us.
Nearly 30 years later, I played that song for my summer staff. It was one of several songs I used as we studied leadership with the staff. The basis for our leadership sessions was Walt Kallestad’s book, The Everyday, Anytime Guide to Christian Leadership. He uses the letters in leadership to remind leaders of what a Christian leadership is all about. The first one is to love unconditionally.
In the gospels, we are reminded of what Jesus told his disciples. Matthew 22: 37-39 reminds us that Jesus said “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
I admit that I often lead with my heart instead of my mind. In ministry, I would suspect this happens often. Is it a mistake to lead with one’s heart considering what Jesus told us to do? Love God, love others. Maybe not, depending on the situation. I also think of how we can offer radical Christian hospitality. Isn’t leading with love a sign of including those who may not always get a chance for the opportunities so many of us enjoy?
When I’m listening to how we might extend a welcome to those who’ve felt unwelcome, I’m going to think about leading with love. And I’m sure the line from Michael W. Smith’s song will play in my head repeatedly—love isn’t love ‘til you give it away!
Speaking of listening, that’s an important part of leadership. At the end of my first summer job, it felt to me at times like my supervisor was distant, not really giving any sort of evaluation of my performance. In fact, my employment contract stated there would be several reviews during the summer. They did not happen. I had a good experience doing my job, but just didn’t know where I stood with my employer. I didn’t get any feedback. I decided no feedback probably meant I was doing my job.
Late in the summer we were given a chance to talk to a group of individuals who helped oversee the program. They wanted to hear what we thought of our experiences that season. For more than an hour, we sat and talked in small groups with fellow workers. It felt good to share my experiences with them and know that they were listening and would take our input to heart. I repeat that again: they listened.
Leadership is listening. Leadership is giving time and space to hear from those who follow and get their ideas, input, and thoughts on certain subjects. In my time as a camp director, I feel that what I’ve learned from listening to my employees has helped me to reshape what we do and make it better. They are the experts in the field. They see things I do not. But I must be willing to hear their voices.
We may not always agree. One year, I had a counselor tell me he wished we did our morning devotions like we did them when he was a camper. Instead of doing them together as a whole camp, he wanted to go back to small group cabin devotions. I explained to him why we made the change. The big reason was because in the small cabin groups, it was not getting done. I told him I would be willing to make the change if he thought counselors would take responsibility to get them done. He told me he didn’t think they would—they probably would not do it. He saw my point and why we changed our practices. But I think he was satisfied because I provided explanation on why we did something and… I listened!
Listening can be an important skill as a leader. It can help make followers more dedicated to your cause. It can provide new insight to spark new life into an aging program. I’m reminded of the saying that we have two ears and only one mouth for a reason!