“What are you teaching them about?” my daughter asked – referring to our upcoming pastors and leaders training in Thailand.
“Leadership,” I said.
“Well, can I ask you something? Is there a way – I’m not sure how to say this – is there a way to ‘dumb down’ leadership training?”
My pause meant, “Keep going.”
“I have to train these fifth-and-sixth-grade leaders every day at FROG camp for about 30 minutes on being a leader, and I was wondering how I could explain biblical leadership on their level.”
I did a random brainstorm with her. Talked about David and Joshua and Paul and Jesus. Hurled out Bible passages like Joshua 1:1-9, 2 Timothy, 1 Peter 5:2-4, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. She said “thanks,” but I hung up with the feeling that I hadn’t “dumbed down” anything.
That got me to thinking later. I have a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. I’ve spent years studying theories and models, biblical principles and best practices. But none of them – none – involved fifth- or sixth-graders.
Maybe we have it backwards. Rather than presuming to teach 11-year-olds all about leading, maybe we should try to learn some things from them. After all, Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven was like a kid… maybe there’s some leadership wisdom there, too.
So I took a mental journey back to the softball/kickball fields of Olive J. Dodge Elementary in Mobile, where I mixed it up with the likes of Paul Baker, Joe Havard, Skipper Grizzle, and Steve Carroll. Nobody ever used the word “leadership” in those one-hour athletic clashes. But the lessons learned from the playground speak loudly to CEOs and Congress, presidents and preachers. See if your leader or leadership lines up with these rules:
1. Give everybody a chance to be in charge.
Every week, by some sort of process, the two team captains changed. Everybody ultimately had at least one opportunity to be the leader. Sure, some were more likeable, smarter, or more talented than others. But everybody had his season of opportunity, and sometimes we were shocked at what we learned about them in the process.
2. Pick your team well
In kickball or softball, you were only as good as the team you put on the field. Team selection was critical, and usually based on a ruthless pecking order. But if the goal was to win, then leadership genius emerged here. (Sorta reminds me of those 12 unschooled ruffians Jesus picked.)
3. Clearly define – and agree upon – the playing field.
Unlike Little League Baseball, we often had no bases or chalked foul lines. So the starting ritual before every game was to find something – a sweater, a piece of cardboard, something – to serve as the official bases. An unofficial leader-type would ceremonially run the base paths, and loudly pronounce – “This is first… this is second…,” etc. It’s amazing how badly such a clear definition is missing in organizational life.
4. Position your team in the places where they are most useful (or least dangerous).
Yeah, there were the kids who were destined for right field. And there were the obvious pitchers. But in-between, a game could be won or lost by the way the captain positioned his team. Every once in a while, when the routine last-picked boy got to be in charge, he’d want to use his leadership to get even on behalf of all the other rejects out there. He could certainly do that – after all, he was the captain. But he wouldn’t like the results.
5. Resolve conflicts with negotiation or do-overs.
There were no umpires, and no balls-and-strikes in our game. Only swing-and-miss or foul-ball strikes. What that meant was that the pitcher had to serve up something the batter was willing to swing at, or we’d be there all day. And on a loudly disputed call, somebody would declare a “do-over.” The words had a magically authoritative quality about them – as if when somebody (anybody) declared it, everybody had to agree (whether they liked it or not).
6. Encourage and stick up for your team members.
Even a fifth grader understands the power of cheering somebody on.
7. Leave it on the field – life is bigger than the game.
Whatever arguments we had stayed on the field. Nobody told us to do that – it just sort of happened (imperfectly, of course). Friends who were on opposing teams remained friends. We knew there’d be another game, and braggin’ rights up for grabs, tomorrow. None of us ever found a team captain laying out strategy or running bases at suppertime.
8. Plan for tomorrow.
The previous point doesn’t mean we didn’t think of how we’d change things up tomorrow. We’d get advice from team members, scheme to catch opponents at a point of weakness, or try to hatch a surprise or two.
9. Remember – today’s opponent may be next week’s teammate.
Unless your opponent is the devil (not likely he’s changing sides), it’s wise not to burn too many bridges with people.
10. As long as possible, keep money out of the equation.
We had no agents, contracts, unions, or pensions. We just loved the game, and the chance to win at it.
So what can a fifth-grader teach you about your team, corporation, or nonprofit?
