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Below are 17 metaphors for leadership – what kind of leader are you?

1. Leadership as a Captain: Guiding the ship through stormy seas, setting the course, and ensuring the safety and success of the crew.
2. Leadership as a Gardener: Nurturing the growth and development of individuals and the organization, providing the right conditions for success.
3. Leadership as a Coach: Inspiring and motivating individuals, helping them reach their full potential, and guiding them towards achieving their goals.
4. Leadership as a Pilot: Taking charge of the journey, navigating through challenges, and safely reaching the desired destination.
5. Leadership as a Shepherd: Caring for and guiding a flock, protecting them from harm, and leading them to greener pastures.
6. Leadership as a Conductor: Orchestrating the diverse talents and abilities of individuals, harmonizing their efforts, and creating a unified and successful performance.
7. Leadership as a Bridge: Connecting different people, departments, or organizations, fostering collaboration and synergy for collective achievement.
8. Leadership as a Visionary: Painting a compelling vision of the future, inspiring others to join in its pursuit, and charting the path towards its realization.
9. Leadership as a Torchbearer: Carrying the flame of inspiration, lighting the way for others, and igniting passion and enthusiasm within the team.
10. Leadership as a Lighthouse: Providing guidance, stability, and a point of reference in times of uncertainty, helping others find their way.
11. Leadership as a Catalyst: Sparking change, encouraging innovation, and creating an environment where new ideas and growth can flourish.
12. Leadership as a Magician: Unleashing the hidden potential within individuals and the organization, turning challenges into opportunities, and achieving remarkable results.
13. Leadership as a Storyteller: Communicating the organization’s values, purpose, and mission through engaging narratives that inspire and unite people.
14. Leadership as a Warrior: Courageously facing obstacles and adversity, leading by example, and rallying the troops in times of difficulty.
15. Leadership as a Sports Team Captain: Directing team strategies, motivating players, and fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie to achieve victory.
16. Leadership as a Architect: Designing the blueprint for success, structuring systems and processes, and ensuring the organization’s foundation is strong and stable.
17. Leadership as a Trailblazer: Venturing into uncharted territory, pushing boundaries, and paving the way for others to follow.

I recently connected with Dr Manoj Krishna, founder of the Human Wisdom Project – and am delighted that he will be my first guest in a series of Tuesday afternoon conversations on Zoom around ‘Faith, Wisdom and Spirituality in the 21st Century’ – beginning Tuesday 1st March.

Olive Fleming Drane, theologian, author, clown and member of the IT’s For Ministry FaceBook Group is my guest – on 8th March.

Details of the other conversations and registration link is at: www.AKSM.org.uk/fws

Each conversation will stand on its own… and is for all who are curious and interested to awaken, and develop understanding and engagement in Faith, Wisdom and Spirituality. Come along to as many as you can… Recordings will be available to catch up later… but you don’t get to ask your questions and contribute to the conversation that way…

Thank you

Donald.

Freudenfreude, German term used for taking pleasure in other people’s joy and successes.

Interesting blog post:

https://eleanorbaggaley.com/freudenfreude

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”

Songs from Resound Music might be helpful this Harvest time…

We See the Fruitful Harvest
Praise Awaits You (Psalm 65)
Freely

From a recent collaboration with Christian Aid with its themes of justice for all:

God of All Comfort

And, really, any song from Resound Worship’s Doxecology collection – in particular:

God the Maker of the Heavens
If the Fields are Parched (Have Mercy)
As the Seeds Are Planted (Let the Earth Find Rest)

You can easily include an RSS news feed in your Church website – here’s the current listing from the Church of Scotland News Page. In WordPress add an RSS block with the URL: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/feeds/news

• Top of the Crops – prestigious awards for Scottish Grove olive oil
  June 2, 2023
  Olive oil produced in a grove supported by the Church of Scotland in Israel has scooped two international awards. Two varieties – the Cortina (Extra Positive Olive Oil) and Piqual (Extra Social Olive Oil) both…
• Moderator will take part in the Aberdeen Kiltwalk this weekend
  June 1, 2023
  Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland will be donning tartan and walking boots this weekend to take part in the popular Aberdeen Kiltwalk and to raise money…
• Lord Hodge praises "new and imaginative ways" the Church is serving communities
  May 25, 2023
  The Lord High Commissioner, Lord Hodge, praised the "new and imaginative ways" the Church is serving communities in his closing speech to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland". When out and about I…
• Moderator tells Church members – 'Remember who you are'
  May 25, 2023
  The Moderator of the General Assembly has issued a rallying call to Church of Scotland members and urged them to "remember who you are". Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton said they all belonged to the body…
• Chaplains thanked for compassionate and insightful services role
  May 25, 2023
  The military head of the Royal Navy has paid tribute to the role military chaplains play in making the UK's armed forces what they are today. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key, was…
• Church will remain "impartial" on Scottish independence
  May 25, 2023
  The Church of Scotland has decided it would be "unwise" to take a corporate position on Scottish independence and on whether a new referendum should be held. The General Assembly reaffirmed a policy position to…
• Son of the manse appointed Procurator of the General Assembly
  May 25, 2023
  The son of a minister who first attended the General Assembly 45 years ago has been appointed its new Procurator. Jonathan Brodie KC said he is "deeply grateful" to be given the opportunity to take…
• Chief Rabbi tells the General Assembly of journey towards healing through dialogue
  May 25, 2023
  The Chief Rabbi has told the General Assembly that working together with the Church of Scotland there was a determination to "engage in a process of healing through dialogue" whilst acknowledging that "relationships are sometimes…
• Church to re-examine opposition to Assisted Dying
  May 24, 2023
  The Church of Scotland is to reexamine its opposition to Assisted Dying. Commissioners at the General Assembly voted in favour of exploring more deeply the diverse views held by Kirk members on the controversial subject….
• Church instructed to prepare a statement of acknowledgment and apology for connection to slave trade
  May 24, 2023
  The Church of Scotland has been instructed to prepare a statement of acknowledgment and apology for its involvement with and connection to historic chattel slavery. The General Assembly decided that the exercise should be done…

A very helpful resource for individual or group reflection. Are you pondering and evaluating how your faith community will move into post-pandemic relationships and programs? This resource from the PC(USA) provides guided opportunities to brainstorm, reflect, act and pray about how to re-form into your community’s future using a creative format.

www.presbyterianmission.org/resource/post-pandemic-pondering-and-planning-a-guide-to-faith-re-formation/