Up Front Together
Tena tātou katoa e te iwi mīhana… (Greetings to all the people in mission),
Let’s talk about leading. This month our whakataukī (proverb) is: “Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e whai.” [Go in front, not behind; don’t follow]. It could easily be interpreted, be a leader, not a follower. But don’t run too far ahead of me now, this proverb has a different meaning than what those familiar with Industrial-world leadership principles might assume.
The sheer act of will required of an individual to drive (a leadership) vision forward is phenomenal.
In Industrial (i.e. Western) organisational models, the norm has been for the leader to conceive of a beneficial future vision for their organisation, map a strategy to achieve it (usually in consultation with a governing group), and galvanise the resources available to the organisation in order to overcome the forces inhibiting progress and achieve the envisioned outcome, within a predetermined timeframe. The sheer act of will required of an individual to drive that vision forward is phenomenal. It was the task entrusted to a great man (gender specificity intended) who was called the CHIEF Executive (the executor of the vision). It was expected that that individual would singularly achieve the vision and the organisation would grow, indefinitely—as the cycle continued with fresh vision, reallocated resources, and rejuvenated command and control. For their focus, expertise and sheer application of will, the Chief was handsomely compensated.
This is, of course, a reductionistic view of organisational leadership in a bygone era, but the basic philosophy still informs organisational expectations and… salary levels. I was astonished this week to read the 2021 Leaders Compensation Report from Missio Nexus in the USA. Missions leaders’ salaries ranged from US$12,000 (presumably for a part-time or bi-vocational role) to US$290,000. For those of us who live outside of the USA, in case you think the upper level may be an unusual extreme, the median salary for the research sample of 119 organisations landed at US$104,000 (NZ$144,000). I figured, ‘oh well, the top paid CEOs must lead the massive missions organisations they have over there’, but no; some of the larger salaries were attached to some relatively modest organisations (according to staff numbers and annual revenue). The boards of those organisations clearly have grand expectations for their CEOs!
I find it kind of counter-intuitive to think that someone who tells others to do the work gets compensated disproportionately higher than those who actually do it.
I’ve only led very small organisational teams, but that has its own challenges, as many readers will appreciate. There’s only so much capacity and it requires A LOT of DIY to achieve anything beyond the routine. So, I have to confess to being envious of leaders of large entities who can distribute directives and watch others put their talents to work to bring something about. I don’t know about you, but I find it kind of counter-intuitive to think that someone who tells others to do the work gets compensated disproportionately higher than those who actually do it. There is obviously a premium value on the visionary strategist commandant talent, but need that be so?
A leader’s primary responsibility is to recognise and cultivate the potential of the people.
In a (healthy) Indigenous community that is not the default, at least not traditionally. A leader’s primary responsibility is to “recognise and cultivate the potential of the people” (Spiller, Wayfinding Leadership). The thriving of the people is the first imperative, protecting them on the journey together is a related second. The destination tends to more vague than an objective that is clearly defined by a single person with a predetermined agenda. The entire leadership process is quite agile and uncertain, more art than science. So, the leader does not go in front in order to mark a prescribed path for others to follow, but rather, discerns dangers and adapts direction as necessary. To lag behind is to shirk responsibility, and this proverb is meant for the whole community, not just the leader. Everyone contributes and participates in decision-making processes. Once determined, the designated leader(s) then carries the responsibility to help the group to move forward into their collectively envisaged desirable future (often generations into the future).
Soong-Chan Rah, professor of evangelism at Fuller Seminary, recently noted in an interview with Mark Labberton that since the late 60’s we have lost confidence in “the larger than life figures who could stand up and say, ‘this is what I believe, will you follow me?” (E.g. he specifically used Billy Graham as an example) We live in a different world and, following the advent of COVID, it is becoming even more challenging. Confidence in ascribed authority is gone. Trust and respect must be earned. If leaders walk ahead of the people it is to work for the peoples’ wellbeing, not view the people as working for the leaders’ (or organisation’s) wellbeing. Rah noted that we still expect evangelism (and missions) to work based on someone believing the authoritative word of an individual other, but that era has well passed. The gospel is most clearly articulated from within a community of faith that lives out the gospel’s covenantal reality in-Christ. Interpersonally. Relationally. Within such a community you can make truth claims, because they’re proven true by that community (ideally).
Our age increasingly prohibits us from imposing truth claims on wider society because, by doing so, you’re implying other truth claims to be invalid and that is tantamount to hate speech (but that’s another topic!). The wise leader will already discern this shifting tide and be preparing their people to adapt to the emerging context—avoiding the dangers (e.g. not running into conflict or ignorant arguments, 1 Timothy 2:23) and finding new ways to thrive and continue their journey towards shalom in-Christ.
So, we can all walk out up front, discern “this is the way you should go” (Isaiah 30:21), collectively seek the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), and encourage others to follow as we discover innovative ways to flourish together and thereby, #stayonmission.
Whakapaingia te Atua, to tatou kaiunga ki te ao whanui (May we be blessed as God sends us into the wider world),
Jay
