241. Leadership and Emotional Presence, a Quick Conversation with Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson

11/05/24 • 7 min

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Markus Watson chats with Tod Bolsinger about a profound quote from Gayle Beebe, President of Westmont College. They explore the significance of staying emotionally present with your organization, its people, and its mission, especially during crises. The conversation highlights the balance between gaining perspective ('balcony' view) and staying connected (‘dance floor’ engagement), essential for fostering trust and effective leadership. Perfect for those navigating the complexities of ministry leadership.
Tod Bolsinger and Markus Watson discuss this quote from Gayle Beebe in Ep 220, Leading Through Tragedy, Adversity, and Crisis:

"You have to stay emotionally present to the organization, to the people in the organization, to the mission of the organization so that you can make adjustments that actually allow you to prevail."
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Ministry leaders must stay emotionally present to effectively lead organizations through crises.
Gayle Beebe emphasizes the importance of connecting with the mission and people of the organization.
Leaders need to balance the perspectives of the balcony (overall strategy) and the dance floor (emotional connection).
Building trust through emotional attunement accelerates change within an organization.
Leaders must acknowledge and manage their own emotions to make mission-focused decisions.

Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Send me a text! I’d love to know what you're thinking!

Ministry leaders must stay emotionally present to effectively lead organizations through crises.
Gayle Beebe emphasizes the importance of connecting with the mission and people of the organization.
Leaders need to balance the perspectives of the balcony (overall strategy) and the dance floor (emotional connection).
Building trust through emotional attunement accelerates change within an organization.
Leaders must acknowledge and manage their own emotions to make mission-focused decisions.

Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Previous Episode

240. Leading with Wisdom from Above, with Uli Chi, author of The Wise Leader

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How do we cultivate an environment where transparency and open communication becomes the norm rather than the exception?

In this episode, Uli Chi, author of The Wise Leader, brings a wealth of experience in business and church leadership to discuss how we can foster open communication, why humility in leadership is so critical, and the importance of pursuing a "wisdom from above" in our leadership.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Wisdom from above is God's wisdom, a comprehensive approach to life that is beyond just spiritual or intellectual understanding.
Uli Chi emphasizes the importance of creating a culture where honesty is welcomed, allowing team members to express their true thoughts to leadership.
Uli shares a personal experience where he sought external consultants to understand issues within his company, highlighting the difficulty in getting people to speak candidly.
Leaders must create normalized spaces for open and honest conversations.
Wisdom requires a communal approach; it is developed through relationships and shared experiences rather than in isolation.
Uli Chi discusses his 50-year affiliation with his community, emphasizing the value of long-term relationships.
Markus Watson expresses admiration for Uli Chi's book, "The Wise Leader," and encourages reading it for insights on becoming a wise leader.
Uli Chi underscores humility as fundamental to wise leadership, viewing leadership as a role of service, not dominance.
Humility involves using power for the benefit of others, reflecting a servant mindset preached by Jesus.
Leaders must recognize human finiteness and fallibility, accepting that they don't know everything and can be wrong.
Directive leadership involves knowing when to give directions after gathering input, which is often essential in pastoral roles.
Uli Chi criticizes "heroic leadership" that elevates leaders to a godlike status, as it can stifle open communication and genuine feedback.
Effective leaders create safe spaces for diverse voices, reflecting the model of shared wisdom.
Uli Chi values contrarian voices and finds it beneficial to have people, like his wife, who challenge his ideas, enhancing decision-making and leadership effectiveness.
Uli Chi concludes that understanding and knowing something truly requires loving it, aligning with the concept of the epistemology of love.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

Uli Chi:
- De Pree Center for Leadership
Books mentioned:
- The Wise Leader, by Uli Chi
Related episodes:
- 46. Inviting the Real, with Esther Lightcap Meek
- 58. Communion with Reality, with Esther Lightcap Meek

Get Becoming Leaders of Shalom for free HERE.

Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Next Episode

242. Life and Leadership in the Fog, with Michaela O'Donnell and Lisa Slayton, authors of Life in Flux

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We talk a lot about leading through uncertainty on this podcast. But in this episode, the emphasis will be on navigating uncertainty in our own lives. In this conversation, Michaela O'Donnell and Lisa Slayton, co-authors of Life in Flux, discuss the importance of "uncommon postures" when navigating the fog in life, building personal adaptive capacity, and the need to pause and listen in the midst of uncertainty.
THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Lisa Slayton challenges default behaviors and encourages developing uncommon postures to better support oneself.
Michaela O'Donnell emphasizes the need to embrace change rather than avoid it, recognizing that old methods won't work for future challenges.
Slayton identifies personal awakening catalysts as recognizing potential possibilities or facing pain and disruptions.
Adaptive work involves recognizing that past methods won't suffice for future challenges, according to Michaela O'Donnell.
The metaphor of a ship in the fog illustrates the need for intentional stillness in uncertain times.
Slayton describes how cutting the engine in a fog-bound boat is a counterintuitive but necessary action to regain direction.
Markus Watson reflects on personal experiences with uncertainty, realizing challenges can be embraced even when they are "unfigureoutable."
Slayton shares an experience with a church team and stresses the importance of exploration and adaptation.
Navigating ambiguity involves recognizing multiple paths forward, not just one clear solution, notes Michaela O'Donnell.
Leadership should shift from problem-solving to curiosity, embracing uncertainty and adaptive learning.
Markus Watson discusses the clarity of identity in understanding personal strengths and aligning roles accordingly.
The Enneagram aids in understanding personal and leadership styles amidst change, recognizing strengths and limits.
Lisa Slayton emphasizes the challenges pastors face due to excessive expectations and the need for managing these effectively.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS: