Friday, July 03, 2015

Why write?

Today is a second day of study leave, a few days in which I am seeking to write about, and reflect upon, my learnings in leadership from recent years of ministry.

bluemountains I am in the Blue Mountains, surrounded by bush and quiet. I am staying with my supervisor, who continues his delightful ministry of naming reality, asking provocative questions, helping me circle around my worlds, both inner and outer.

The Old Testament lectionary reading for today, and in particular four phrases, proves strangely clarifying.

I will stand at my watch-post
Write the vision
Make it plain
So that a runner may read it.

Let me explore these phrases from the bottom back up to the top.

I write for a person. A runner. For individuals and teams, whether wondering, willing, or wanting, running the journey of innovate. I write that they might run sustainably, strategically. I want to offer them some signs that point to processes of innovation that have reality, integrity, creativity and a deep compassion and care for people and places.

I write with a purpose. I seek to avoid fancy words, clever theories and quick quotes from leadership heroes. Instead, with honesty and integrity, I want to make as plain as possible the real life learnings from innovation. I want to share stories that offer hope. Organisations do change. People do grow. Resources can be aligned. Access can be enhanced.

I write by choosing to stand at the watchpost. Rather than look forward, rather than theorise, I choose to look back, to particularise. In standing, I find myself slowing and as I slow, I feel once again the particular emotions, demands and experiences of leading an organisation in a complex system in a rapidly changing world. It is hard to stand. It is hard to lead. It is costly to innovate. Yet such is the place from which these words, these leadership learnings, must emerge.

I stand.

Posted by steve at 10:31 AM

4 Comments

  1. Reading this I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Amazing what a little lectio can do to keep the mind clear and our eye on Jesus.

    Comment by Diane Gilliam-Weeks — July 4, 2015 @ 8:38 am

  2. Thanks Dianne. Which particular little lectio helped you? Or was your relief that it was helping me?

    Steve

    Comment by Steve — July 4, 2015 @ 10:27 am

  3. I guess having read a lot of things not written for the ‘runner’ I was relieved to read this post. I’m sure your lectio was truly divina.

    Comment by Diane Gilliam-Weeks — July 4, 2015 @ 11:39 am

  4. The runner. The journey of innovation. While I stand. How can the journey of one enhance the journey of another? If it includes lectio, divina, clarity that’s probably a good start 🙂

    Steve

    Comment by Steve — July 4, 2015 @ 12:43 pm

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