Learning from Leaders

“On Rational Inquiry”

One of the most influential things in my life has been the input I’ve received directly from other leaders. Words alone cannot express the inestimable value of their wisdom and perspective on my leadership processing and problem solving. This “treasured advice” however, rarely comes without a determined effort to seek out and interview “other leaders.” I have made a habit of asking leaders for face time to question them intently of what they’ve learned by experience, as well as their insights in the things that matter most to me. Their advice, hard-won in the difficulties of life and cauldron of leadership have been proven by time and lasting fruit, and are a vital resource for navigating our own journeys and challenges. I believe that a lack of "rational inquiry" by leaders today is the cause of much grievance and a catalyst for organizational dysfunction.

When I say “rational inquiry,” I am speaking of a deliberate, thoughtful seeking of knowledge through asking questions and pondering/discussing the input received. It requires a personal humility, love of truth and an accurate understanding of the importance of leadership modeling and the effects of a leader’s decisions and actions on others (for good or ill). This means that for Christian leaders, “your life and organization are not your own.” They are a stewardship before The Almighty and serve as a vehicle to provide blessing, witness and “generational transfer” for the glory of GOD. This requires living a real interdependence with God’s word and others that fuels the transfer of truth through Biblical principles, reproducible models and reciprocal relationships.

The absence of “rational inquiry” is at best, an ignorance that haunts new generation leaders and curses them to repeat the mistakes of the past. At its worst, it is a personal (or organizational) arrogance fostering historic amnesia (and detachment of ideas and actions from context and consequences) resulting in an inability to produce “fruit that remains.” I have seen firsthand how this phenomenon may promote personality driven, non-principled or self-serving decisions that lack both needed perspective and Biblical precedent.

For a number of years, my wife and I have been shocked by the lack of rational inquiry in many leaders we’ve come across. Whether young or old, in crisis management or strategic planning…with individual leaders and corporate boards, it is mind blowing how few leaders (and teams) take the time, make the effort or even see the value in drawing from others outside their “inner circle.”

The greatest disappointments we have experienced (The Buhler’s) have been the pain of watching those we know or love suffer the consequences of receiving no or poor counsel. To clarify, it is always poor counsel to only listen to the harmonious voices that echo your own views, propensities and desires. It is a common trap for leaders to narrow the group involved in thinking about (plans, discussions and decisions) organizational issues as they grow more important or difficult. Too often, this narrowing is because if you dissent, you are not invited back; but regardless, what you should do is broaden the circle to include diverse perspectives as more critical decisions are being made.

Our GOD is well able to do “exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we ask or think”…but we must ask it and think it first! There is a vital link between prayer, asking questions, pondering input, strategic planning and implementation success. In our world of busyness and copycat planning, too often the decisions we make have negative “unintended consequences.” This simply wouldn’t be the norm if we took the time to pursue and process some counsel from other leaders.

How often I have wished someone would simply ask…or bemoaned the stiff-arm they give when rejecting offered input.

Where’s the fear of God, the quest for wisdom and revelation…the Socratic energy…the personal humility and hunger…to seek out experienced and diverse input to our situation or possibilities? Thousands of years ago, the smartest man in the world (who was stellar in monumental screw-ups also) said, “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors…plans are established” (Pr 15:22).

When I seek out and inquire insights from other leaders, I am blessed with valuable tools for the Lord to use in my leadership and decision-making opportunities. Although I am limited in my intellect and personal experiences, these can be broadened and informed more fully if I simply ask and listen. Here, I learn…for they have perspectives I don’t have…they possess information I need…their reactions to experiences I did not have…and they shared these things with me. They help me understand what I do not know, and what I desperately need to consider and figure out. They gave me perspective…because they’ve lived in a world that I am only slightly acquainted with…and they teach me about that world.

“Listen to counsel, and receive instruction, that you may be wise…there are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless, the Lord’s counsel – that will stand!” (Pr 19:20-12).

Dear friends, ask more questions…better questions, and seek out some wise, godly counselors for input on big decisions, strategic planning and the “things that matter most!” That would be “smart.”