Good Leaders Wear Blindfolds
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
"When you handle yourself, use your head; when you handle others, use your heart." – Donna Reed, American actress (1921-1986)
It was the summer of 2011 and I was stepping down as executive director of The Saints Prison Ministry after 24 years. I wanted to leave without any fanfare, but the board of trustees and some very dear friends (including several soon-to-be former teammates) refused to let me ride off into the sunset without a proper send-off. And so, they planned a going-away party at a local church in my honor.
It was a wonderful time of celebrating what God had accomplished through a very imperfect man and his family over the course of more than two decades. There were a few heartfelt tributes, some good-natured barbs, and a photo montage followed by some light refreshments.
Before we ate, however, I was asked to share a few words. Fighting back tears, I thanked my wife, my mom, and our longest-serving volunteer for their unwavering support, presenting each of them with a bouquet of flowers. I then turned over my softball team, which I had coached and played on since its inception in 1987, to my assistant manager.
Finally, I presented my hand-picked successor with a gift. It didn’t cost much, and I doubt he kept it, let alone displayed it in his office. However, it conveyed an important message that I wanted him to remember long after I was gone.
The gift was a simple blindfold and as I handed it to him, I urged him to walk by faith and not by sight. You see, whereas I tended to lead with my heart, my successor was far more analytical in nature. Hence, he usually led with his head.
Truth be told, a good leader needs a mixture of both elements to be effective. Too much emotion and empathy can cause some problems, financially and otherwise, when you’re overseeing an organization. But by the same token, linear thinking that excludes the human element can be equally dangerous.
Because I believe that ministry is all about people – the ones you serve, the ones you serve with, and the ones who provide the resources that allow you to serve – I have always erred on the “heart” side. And, at age 63, I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
