I was asked a great question a few weeks ago by a friend on staff.  In a session together where we talk leadership, specifically executive pastoring type of leadership, she asked me to share with her who some of my mentor/coaches/supervisors have been in my life who influenced me along the way and what are one or two things specifically I learned from each; how and what did these folks invest in my life that has shaped my leadership today?

Great question to cause me to reflect.

Her question sparked great dialogue that day, but it’s also caused me to think through and process after our time together.

One of my mentor/coach type of people in my life early on, was my high school FCA leader, Stewart.  For some reason, Stewart took a liking to this skinny Kentucky kid living in Alabama.  I’m sure for Steward, I was one of many guys who he invested in, but for me, at that time, his influence seemed very unique and he made me feel valued.

As I processed what it was that I learned from Stewart’s leadership in my life that has shaped me now, I thought of a few things that are vital to healthy leadership.

1. Time.  I learned how important it is to simply spend time with someone who you are leading and influencing.  Stewart would take me out to eat or just to go walk the mall.  Our conversations were natural, but in looking back, intentional on his part.  He asked questions about my life that led to incredible times of influence, coaching and wisdom sharing on his part.  As a leader, it’s important that we invest time with those we are leading and influencing.
2. Truth-telling.  Stewart was great at cutting through the niceties with me and speaking truth into my life at such an impressionable age.  He cared enough about me to tell me hard truths in order to help me avoid wrong living.  Some times the most compassionate thing we can do for someone as leaders is tell them the truth.  It can be hard, but speaking the truth in love is mandatory for leaders.
3. Fun.  Whenever I picture Stewart, I always see him with a smile on his face or laughing.  We laughed a lot when we hung out, even when he was challenging me with hard truth.  For me in leadership, this is important.  I desire to have a fun, light-hearted, healthy environment of joy around me and the teams of people I get to be a part of.  We deal with enough hard stuff and painful stuff.  We gotta keep laughter alive in the midst.