Leaders that Love: TEACHING
For the month of February, Monday Meditations will explore how LEADERS can show LOVE to the people around them.
Before we save into the topic of “teaching” as a way of showing love, I want you to pause right now and answer this question…
Q: Who, in the first 20 years of your life were your best teachers? What made them better than all the rest? What did you learn from them?
When I think about the early years for me, there were many teachers that were part of my journey because it was what they were paid to do. From kindergarten all the way through high school, every teacher made an impact on me, whether good or bad. I’m sure you had a similar experience; some of your teachers were great and others were not.
For me, the teachers that made the most positive impression on my life were those who took the time to teach me things that weren’t part of the normal curriculum. They generously gave of themselves as they invested in my growth towards adulthood.
I wasn’t special in this regard. In fact, these teachers gave much of their time to many students to help them grow and learn beyond academics. They genuinely cared for and showed concern for all the students they came in contact with. It was part of their DNA, and they did it continually. They gracefully took the position of “educational leader” and gently taught various concepts and ideas that made a lasting impact on the impressionable minds that listened.
As I started my professional career many managers and leaders also did the same thing. I can recall some who were patient and took the time to ask very thoughtful questions, encouraged me to take risks, and helped me reflect on results that taught me the best, and the worst, behaviours when running a business. I considered these teachers to be my mentors and I am still friends with some of them today.
I’m sure you have heard it said that “leaders are teachers”. I want to go one step further and suggest that leaders who love, teach!
Q: Why do you think the act of teaching is part of showing love as a leader?
When a leader takes the time to teach two things uniquely happen; they build a strong connection with the people they are helping and instructing, and they knowingly create an environment that encourages the student to hold the teacher accountable.
Let me explain it this way…
If teaching someone is to be most effective it needs to be done selflessly and in a way that encourages and supports the development and growth of the student. They engage in a very mutual and beneficial relationship that is founded on the teacher and student giving and receiving respectively.
Looking at the life of Christ, it’s clear wherever he went he was teaching. In fact, over time, people referred to him as “Rabbi” (teacher) even though that was not his occupation. in many of these instances, he developed a relationship with those he taught. The disciples. The woman at the well. even the Jewish leaders that tried to catch him and condemn him learned much from him and developed a rather unique relationship with him. Yet, in every situation, he was true to his calling and helped others see a new way to live life as they sought a relationship with God.
In Matthew 9:35-38 (NLT) we read, “Jesus travelled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Also, as the teacher teaches, the student looks to the teacher as an example to model the right behaviour, action, etc. in this regard, the student assesses the integrity of the teaching based on the actions and behaviours they observe in the teacher. A teacher with a “do as I say not as I do” mentality has little value to a student and is not a good teacher at all.
In Philippians 4:9, Paul says:
“The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Paul made the connection that, as a teacher, he was also expected to model the way. He knew that as he taught some of the students would learn by hearing his words and others perhaps by seeing his actions. He endeavoured to live a life where his words and his actions run parallel to each other.
I believe everyone has an opportunity to teach. Whether in our personal or professional lives there are people around us that look to us for guidance, instruction, and encouragement. It is our responsibility to model a way that is effective and built on kingdom principles that cannot be shaken.
As we conclude the topic of teaching as a way of showing love while leading, I want to ask you these questions…
Q: Who are you currently leading? Are you teaching generously and modelling the most excellent way?
Prayer:
My God and loving Father, I thank you for giving me these words and thoughts today. I seldom think about being a loving leader as an expression of my faith and commitment to you. This week, please help me to see those areas where I might respond in unloving ways to those I work with. I ask that you be my spiritual advisor and teach me the most excellent ways to be a Godly leader. I approach you through your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Blessings always and all-ways,
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this email is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
