Welcome the wind

I attended Pentecost services at Shadyside Presbyterian Church this last Sunday, 5-27-07. We were in Pittsburgh visiting Darbi and attended services hoping to hear Dr. Craig Barnes who we always enjoy. He never disappoints...

Pentecost is part of the Christian liturgical year. Depending on the denomination, it may not receive that much attention. I've grown more fascinated with the idea of Pentecost through the years because it presents an image that draws diverse voices together in search of spiritual meaning. As the Bible indicates (Acts 2:2), "And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind..." Dr. Barnes described several Biblical examples of rushing and violent winds - the wind over the water that stirred the act of creation, the wind that parted the sea in order for the Israelites to pass into safety from Egypt, the wind that tore the Temple assunder after Jesus' crucifixion. In these cases, and in most of our human experiences, mighty winds are freightening but are often followed by peace and tranquility that brings new light and insight to us. This is the wind that creates, the spirit that blows into our lives most unexpectedly, and the turmoil that opens new opportunity.

The idea of the potential for Pentecost is noted in many spiritual traditions. In these various traditions, we are almost always promised that the struggle of life will bring a new, fresh, and more adequate tomorrow. Although it is hard to believe that these moments are for our own and others' good, the rushing wind, the disorienting trauma, the startling realization bring insights and opportunities we never imagined possible.

Pentecost literally is the celebration of fifty days after Easter. Two millenia ago, these fifty days were likely a period of time that allowed the disciples of Christ to become accustomed to the fact that they had witnessed an extraordinary moment in time. Yet, in order to bear witness to their own learning and transformation, they had to learn how to engage with each other across language, culture, and experience. They had to be transformed and be willing to transform the world in which they lived.

This sermon was typical of Dr. Barnes; he always stirs deeper questions in me. The conclusion of this sermon was something like, "If you seek safety, find a tomb. If you seek to live life fully, welcome the wind." What a statement of the power of spirit in our lives and what a call to leadership. The paraphrase of leadership implications could be, "If you seek safety in life, follow others who will protect you and lull you into passivity. If you seek to live fully, welcome the wind that brings creativity to life's experiences, provides the opportunity to hear the voices of others whose language you've never understood, and draws you into sharing the complexity of leadership that draws the best from all."

Broadening the boundaries of inclusion

I just returned from my annual LeaderShape Institute at Allerton Park this last Sunday night, May 20, 2007. What an amazing week... It turned out to be a holding environment that I've seldom seen matched before. A vessel for exploration of very big and potentially life-changing questions.

Carla and I shared Lead with six terrific Cluster Facilitators (Janie, Jess, Patrick, Shailen, Susan, and Tom), and sixty-one participants from all over the country and beyond. To be honest, this was one of the more challening Institutes I've had for a while (interesting since this is the decade anniversary of the first time I led). The reason it was difficult has nothing to do with good or bad conditions, participants, or anything else. The reason was that this Institute pushed boundaries of inclusion I'd never considered before - political and regional.

I can't remember having participants from so many political and regional backgrounds. We had very conservative students coupled with very liberal. We had every corner of the country, with an especially prominent delegation of students from Ole' Miss. Ole' Miss is an institution that has long had the reputation of being a quintessential southern institution. Even though it is perceived by many to represent the status quo, it was one the first universities in the south to admit women and to integrate Black students. The students from Ole' Miss faced conservative stereotypes in the same way that students from other institutions face liberal ones. At one point in the week, I met with a delegation to explore what they were thinking and feeling only to find that they felt silenced and unable to speak honestly and openly about their beliefs. I don't know the degree to which this perception was real or perceptual; it doesn't really matter. The point is that they felt that they could not be open and this restricted their ability to participate.

The dynamics of the week were often very difficult. The beauty of it was that, despite the struggle, the participants stuck with each other, confronted one another when appropriate, and ended up affirming each other, even though it was clear that deep differences still remained. The students from other cultural backgrounds were as gracious and willing to participate as I've every seen. This openness resulted in everyone being able to take risks that otherwise would never have been possible. The supportiveness of students from multi-cultural backgrounds supported the journey of those with more traditional upbringing. The traditional students took the risk to own their own beliefs and to share them with others, allowing for exchanges that would be rare under most circumstances. With the exception of only a couple of students who simply were not ready for such a stretch, the participants fully gave of themselves to explore and discover both the difference and sameness that we share.

I learned a great deal during the week, as I always do. The most important aspect of this was to recognize that inclusion embraces very conservative political views, people who have had privileged and isolating life experiences, and participants from every possible faith tradition. I've known this at an intellectual level before but I've never really known it in my heart like I do after last week. I am so thankful to the participants who made it possible for us all to learn these amazing lessons. These lessons will transform many lives. I actually think that the unfolding experience for many of this Institute's students is only just beginning.

The paradox of great leadership - audacity and humility

This weekend is commencement weekend for Miami University. That means that I'm offering a lot of farewells that don't feel all that great. There are some graduates from Miami (both Masters College Student Personnel and undegraduates) who I will miss dearly in the coming weeks and months. As I say farewell to some of these incredible people, my belief is that the depth of our relationship will stand the test of time and that this farewell is only temporary.



The graduates who I will most miss are those who I've come to realize reflect a profound paradox. They are at the same time full of audacity but also of humility. These two words probably don't cross your mind as dwelling comfortably in one person. However, when it comes to leadership, they fit quite nicely and, perhaps, they are necessary paradoxes that must co-exist in those who seek to transform themselves and others through leadership. Having audacity is dreaming so big that others may perceive the vision as grandiose or impractical. While there are those who will criticize people with big dreams, these visionaries are, indeed, the only ones who will help us transcend the present. They can see a different and better world and they are not bashful to proclaim it. On the flip side of the paradox is humility. Those who captivate me most are those who have big dreams but who reflect a deep humility, not fake or dismissive, that recognizes the greatness of compelling ideas. These humble individuals know that their ideas are not theirs alone, but that they are the ideas of legions of others who are afraid to claim them. It seems to me that this kind of humility sees the future while at the same time engaging others in respectful and empowering ways that brings the future into the present.

Today I postponed the journey I share with these special individuals (you know who you are) who graduated from Miami today. They have the audacity to dream and the humility to strive with others to bring about a better world. It's been a profound and wonderful time sharing this space with you and I look forward to the broader journey you now embrace...