A Willingness to Listen

In a side note in his book, The Next Generation Leader, Andy Stanley made the following comment:

It is no coincidence that Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote more about seeking counsel than any other biblical writer. The man who seemed to need it the least was the most convinced of its necessity. The other interesting thing about Solomon’s insistence upon seeking counsel is that he was a king. Kings don’t need counsel, do they? They are the supreme rulers. Throughout the history of Israel, God instated kings who needed counsel. Some sought it. Others did not. Those who did not generally paid a high price in their leadership.

What struck me about this quote was that leadership is often defined by teachability. Leaders understand, as Solomon writes, that “The Beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. (Prov 4:7).”

I work for a great organization, a king of an organization, who in the past has often led the church and para-church in innovative and creative ways. I have one fear, however. I fear they will forget to listen, to learn, to get wisdom.

My son in law just got back from the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta. Catalyst is an organization all about shaping leaders in the Church, presenting the next big ideas, practices and content. Catalyst exists to ignite passion for Christ and develop leadership potential in the Next Generation, equipping them to engage and impact their world. I checked out the blogosphere to see what some attendees thought. Apparently, the conference was a home run. It made me lament not attending. It made me think the following.

I wonder if the church as the church is now leading in innovative and creative ways. I wonder if para-church organizations like mine will be willing to listen, to learn, to get wisdom from “those” we happen to have led in the past.

Will we be willing to listen? If so, maybe we will be given the chance to lead again.