Geyser Leadership
Chances are high that you have seen a natural geyser – be it Old Faithful, Steamboat, Mammoth Hot Springs, or one of the many others dotted across our western landscape.
If not, you can at least picture it, eh?
In the oil industry they call it a “gusher”. Same idea.
The earth, out of its bounty, spews forth its valuable resources to our great benefit (be it scenic or productive).
And we did/do virtually nothing to generate or replenish the supply. Nor could we if we wanted to.
It is a gift generously given, out of abundance, with no expectation or pathway for reciprocity.
Similarly, there is an unwritten expectation within executive leadership that calls for generosity that flows out of abundance.
The low-hanging fruit in this scenario is financial. You provide pay & benefits, gifts, donations, and more.
Yes, for some of that the leader receives a work product in return.
However, you don’t have to do what you do. You could easily go get a job just about anywhere and simply receive.
But you don’t.
Let’s dig a little deeper.
You are going to say “thank you” to others FAR more than they will say “thank you” in return.
You are going to provide your wisdom, knowledge, business acumen, coaching, consulting, and insight to others FAR more then they will provide to you in return.
You are going to put in hours nobody else sees, make tweaks nobody else notices, and take punches nobody else feels.
This (and more) is the mantle of executive leadership that few are willing to acknowledge and that you must accept.
The outgo FAR exceeds the input. Tis the nature of the beast.
“To whom much is given, much is required.”
But let’s be clear – your supply is not limitless. You serve out of abundance and overflow, but you are human and must be fueled along the way.
To survive in this position of holistic generosity, healthy leaders must dig deep to find a natural source of replenishment.
You need to find your own ‘geyser’.
Some call it their ‘Why’ – and that’s a good place to start. As Nietzsche famously noted, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
Don’t miss the imperative of this fountain.
But for purpose driven leaders, we need to go deeper – to the source of ‘living water’ and Life itself.
When Jesus was talking with the woman at the well, he noted:
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
In his parable of the Good Shepherd, he noted:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
And as he also noted in parable of the Vine, we must remain intimately connected:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Never forget that last point. From an eternal perspective, apart from him you and I can do nothing.
My tagline as a Convene Chair and as the founder of The H3 Leader is simple.
You Don’t Have to Run This Race Alone
I love this concept. As a coach I come alongside Christian executive leaders and pour into them to the best of my ability – to serve them in the pursuit of their redemptive potential.
But I am not the Vine. No human is the natural source of Life that we need to serve sacrificially, with humility and grace.
In your critical role as a purpose driven leader, don’t forget to stay connected to the true Source of all generosity, grace, mercy, forgiveness, wisdom, truth, discernment, and love.
That Fountain, that Geyser, will never run dry.
Blessings to you, my friends!
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This Week’s Resource Recommendation:
“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World”
- John Mark Comer
From Amazon: “Who am I becoming?” That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. Outwardly, he appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren’t pretty. So he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words:
“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life.”
It wasn’t the response he expected, but it was—and continues to be—the answer he needs. Too often we treat the symptoms of toxicity in our modern world instead of trying to pinpoint the cause. A growing number of voices are pointing at hurry, or busyness, as a root of much evil.
The perfect read to help you start the new year off right, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is a fascinating roadmap to staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.
MMS 25-07
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Blessings to you, my friend!
