The Cost of Principled Leadership
April 18, 2008 |
Nobody likes a party pooper. Worse yet, a naysayer or “doom and gloomer” can get in the way of any one of our best laid plans for the future. But we all have had those moments in our lives when we have been convicted. And sometimes that conviction comes to us gently, nudging us to change gears, redirect our thoughts, or to have a total change of heart—to see things more clearly. Sometimes conviction may not come so easily, perhaps through intense trials, pain, and struggles. But no matter how convictions come to us, they have the strengthen a new resolve in us that spurs us onto new levels of leadership, causing us to have a wider area of influence and impact.
Yet, this “principled” leadership is costly. And it’s different than being a naysayer or party pooper, whose motive may be a bad attitude or disagreeable spirit and typically has the effect of just producing guilt or anger in us—versus true conviction. Principled leadership requires, well, principles. Not thoughts, opinions, preferences, or tastes. And principles, if properly grounded in truth, become the foundation of our convictions, which allow us to stand firm, address unpopular opinions, cut through the emotional and murky waters and Lord willing, do the right thing and lead others to follow in doing the right thing.
So is it worth it? Personally, my work in the area of bioethics takes me to very unpopular positions almost on a daily basis. For example, as I speak out against human cloning and embryonic stem cell research I am frequently called “anti–science” and accused of caring more for the embryo in a dish then the sick person desperately in need of a cure. Or worse, I am a religious zealot who just wants to push my morality on others.
Perhaps the invitations to speak at secular conferences only come to me in order to give the appearance of a “fair and balanced” event (e.g. “We’ve presented all sides of the story, now we can know without a doubt these people against human cloning are really crazy!) At the close of one event, my colleagues and I stood at the post event reception like the outcast lepers. The media swarmed over the pro-cloning scientists for interviews and the conference hosts gave them red-carpet treatment, while we quietly left without even a thank you from the host for our participation. My grandmother would have said that is just plain bad manners. So the cost has been a smear in the paper, or a negative name calling attack. Having the awkward moment of being at a reception where you know you are not welcomed.
Even in church settings, as I take an unpopular stand on the way the church has perhaps uncritically welcomed in-vitro fertilization technologies into our bedrooms, I speak with principles, which have been born out of my convictions based in biblical truths about marriage, sex, and pro-creation. And what has been the cost? Sometimes, I’ve not been invited back again. Sometimes I’ve been told that the issues I deal with are too scientific or political for their church.
So as I personally count the cost, in my mind it doesn’t add up to much. But if the cost were of Dietrich Bonehoffer proportions it would be the strength of my convictions, based on principles rooted in truth, which would help me to lead. And ultimately, that is the true cost of principled leadership. As we are called to lead, and we respond to that call, we are willing to lead no matter the cost.
Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on April 18, 2008
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Comments
Taking a stand on hard things is not easy, but important. I don't know you, but I admire you. Especially as women we have often allowed the men to take the hard positions while we sat back and were "nice". You go girl!
Posted by: Brenda on April 20, 2008
Principles leadership is always easier to talk about than to actually live. I have learn to respect people who actually have convictions-whether I agree with them or not. My struggle personally has been the balance between holding to my convictions and still loving people to the best of my ability through the Spirit. That means to present my convictions honestly yet with deep love and caring for the soul of others. At the end of the day-the words of St. Paul are still true-" the greatest of these is love". And while I know love without truth is no love at all, I also know that more people are drawn to truth through love-not hardness of soul or speech.
Hang in there sister, be faithful to what God has called to you, the place of a prophet (which I believe you are walking in) is not easy but God is with you.
Posted by: trisha on April 23, 2008
What price truth? It costs popularity, loss of love sometimes; one thing that is not lost is your integrity. To lose everything and maintain integrity may feel like a hollow victory, but it is one which will stand with you over the years, because every time you make the stand for what is right, rather than what is popular, you know that you sold your soul that bit more to the purposes of God... which can't be bad.
The person you become is someone who will not be ashamed to stand in front of the throne of God, knowing that what He thinks has been more important to you than acceptance by other people.
Posted by: Bev on May 2, 2008
How often we give lip-service to principle-centered leadership. After all, talking it and walking it are not necessarily the same thing. I must say that I am blessed by your post and by your commitment to stand your ground in this critical area and be the voice even when it's not popular. God bless you, Jennifer. Your reward awaits. Thank you for the example.
Posted by: Pink Collar Club on May 2, 2008
I understand completely and know myself the importance of standing up for what you believe in even when it's hard, however, I fail to see why in-vitro fertilization is wrong when all a couple is trying to do is have a baby that they can raise in a loving environment and teach how to impact the world. It's just another form of conception and it requires just as much prayer, consideration, etc.
Posted by: Emily on May 2, 2008
yes indeed it is very difficult in a church setting (especially in a provicial city in the Philiipines) to be a principled leader: you are misunderstood to lead people to value time management, open critical discussion for decision-making, continue education for pastors and workers, etc.
but right principles will stand the test of time; painful, costly, time consuming. . . but rewarding . . . for the glory of God.
Posted by: william bolivar on May 11, 2008