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Greetings, Summit Leaders.
How do we see ourselves as leaders?
How will we be remembered as leaders in the eyes of our nephews, nieces, children, and generations yet unborn?
Every leader desires three things in their lives—impact, a measure of greatness, and a sense of fulfillment.
Our responses to challenges represent opportunities for "Lionheart Leadership." Lionheart Leadership is the display of courage, justice, power, wisdom, strength, dignity and boldness when facing
the enemy of injustice.
We are grateful for men and women who lead with a lion's heart. When you see leadership like this, you recall the bravery, valor, and strength we see in the lives of great leaders.
This week, in response to the national crisis of racism, we witnessed what "Lionheart Leadership" looks like in action. Our CEO cried out because of the racial injustices we see in our nation and sounded a call for action to our elected officials.
We are blessed when we are associated with "Lionheart Leadership." I desire to emulate it, applaud it, and point it out as an example for new leaders to take notice and learn.
I remember reading a story of the young leader named David, who, as a shepherd boy who stepped forward to face the seemingly unbeatable giant named Goliath.
His motivation was from the heart of doing the right things when others did nothing.
The short story is that empowered with an attitude of justice, his response is seen centuries later as "Lionheart Leadership" in action. While others saw only the giant, David saw the real nature of the battle.
"Lionheart Leadership sees. He first looks, and then he sees. My grandson, Michael, and my wife were walking into a local drug store one day and passed a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk beside the building.
Michael, holding his grandmother's hand, looks the man in his eyes and says, "Hello, how are you?" The man replied, "I am fine young man. How are you?"
Michael, only five years old, not only looks but he sees the man!
That day, Michael displayed Lionheart Leadership.
He is willing to see a man as a human at five years of age and engage him with a pure heart.
My wife shared her embarrassment in looking past the man as if not to see him.
Michael's action empowers her to see.
David prepared to face the giant Goliath by listening. He did not rush to action but first gained insight, followed by a deliberate, intentional plan to defeat the giant.
Now he is empowered by seeing the true nature of the battle, listening to gain insight, and preparing to take action.
David believed in the cause of fighting Goliath because of the challenge to the nation and his values.
How is it possible for a young teenage shepherd to win against a nine-foot giant, trained from his youth to be a warrior?
Attitude, Belief, and Conviction lead to victory. David acted with conviction. Goliath fell that day by the hand of a "Lionheart Leader," resulting in a great victory!
How do we build "Lionheart Leadership" into ourselves as leaders?
1. Look: Intentionally look to see the nature of the battle. Discernment will follow. Actively seek to understand by seeing through the lens of those who need your leadership.
2. Listen: Listening empowers us with insight and ignites neurons in our brains to think about the actions that follow.
3. Lead: Thoughtful, bold, courageous, deliberate action focusing on accomplishing the mission.
Never doubt that you are here for such a time as this.
Believe it is your calling to Lionheart Leadership.
Every great leader meets their opportunity to act boldly, courageously, and with conviction on their journey
