“One cannot lead where they are not going.”

Hello All,

I knew I wanted to write about leadership this week – but I was trying to figure out where I wanted  to head with that lofty and large endeavor. It was one of those mornings where a cup of hot tea and the Today show were on my agenda – and there it was, the quote that I used as the title of the blog “One cannot lead where they are not going.”

I love watching Craig Melvin’s interviews. He has a warm and inviting style, and he loves his home state of South Carolina. Craig was interviewing the leaders of Brookland Baptist Church (his childhood church), Reverend Charles Jackson, Sr. and his son Reverend Charles Jackson, Jr. about their work in helping their congregation navigate during the pandemic and now getting the vaccine. Rev. Jackson, Sr. may be my new hero!

Rev. Jackson, Sr. recently gave a sermon on the importance of the Covid vaccine. He noted he had to really search his soul about this, and he especially had to think about the suffering he had seen within his own congregation and in his community. “I’ve got vaccine and vacation on the right; I ‘ve got virus and ventilator on the left, so the choice is yours.” He got vaccinated and shared his story with his congregation and posted pictures of this important event on social media. When Craig asked him why, Rev. Jackson, Sr said “Well, I believe this: One cannot lead where they are not going.”

How simple – how profound – how true. “One cannot lead where they are not going.” People (insert staff, congregations, teams) don’t follow because the leader “proclaimed” this is the way. They follow because the leader is going that way. They follow because they understand the “why”. They follow because there is an example, a show of courage (and especially in tough times), words of encouragement (spoken with authenticity) – creating the knowledge and demonstrating that the employees are supported and safe. Leadership is action. Robin Sharme states “Leadership is not about a title or a destination. It is about impact, influence and inspiration.” And Himanshu Bhatia, Founder and CEO of Rose International, Inc., stated it this way “As a leader, it’s a major responsibility on your shoulders to practice the behaviors you want others to follow.”

Craig then interviewed one of the parishioners of Rev. Jackson, Sr., the thoroughly delightful 77-year old Mosette Sullivan. She said “At first, I thought, you know, you listen to people, don’t do this, don’t do that because it’s going to make you sick. You aren’t able to go to work.” After she watched the Reverend get his first vaccination and after a bit of time, she made the call to get vaccinated. “I had to wait a while first. I wanted to make sure he was all right. When he said ‘I got both of them’, I said ‘Okay, I’m good. I’m going to get mine.'” I loved the honestly – she made sure he was good first! And she followed the leader who set the vision, talked the talk, and walked the walk.

Rev. Jackson, Sr. also said this in the interview: “I’ve always said that the true measure of a church is not determined by what it does for itself, but by what it does for others.” I would add that the true measure of a leader is not what she/he does for herself/himself, but what she/he does for others and the impact made on/for the community served.

I would say that Rev. Jackson, Sr. has truly demonstrated the impact, influence and inspiration of a leader – telling the truth (even when it is hard) and leading by example. Should I ever travel to South Carolina, I am going to church!

Phyl