Chaplaincy News
The Heart of Leadership
Leadership is something that I care deeply about because it carries with it a significant responsibility - caring, guiding, serving people. Leadership is often desired by many people, seen as the opportunity for influence and power. It can be something that people strive for because it is portrayed as something that shines a light on us, highlighting our impact, inflating our sense of success, boosting our credentials. And whilst it can be all these things, they are not at the core of what makes a good Leader.
As we gathered last week to celebrate the commencement of a new era in student leadership here at Shelford, I shared some of the timeless wisdom found in the Bible in 1 Samuel 16:7. This reading is set in the context where a new leader, a new king, was to be appointed and the most eligible man had come forward to be chosen. He was well known, the eldest son of a highly regarded family, strong, determined, handsome, charismatic. Everything you would assume a nation would want in a King! The verse begins just as he steps forward to be anointed by the prophet Samuel. It reads:
"But the Lord said to Samuel,'Do not look at this man’s appearance or stature, for I have not chosen him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"
This man was expected to become the king, but he did not have the HEART to carry out the profound duty. In fact, it turned out that it was his youngest brother, David, who had the perfect heart for leadership, even though his family and society had overlooked him because he was the youngest son, a mere shepherd boy. David was not even present at the anointing ceremony because he was out in the fields tending to the family’s flock. And yet, because of his heart, God chose him to become the first King of Israel.
We are so often focused on what we see externally of our leaders - their public speaking ability, their entertaining speeches, their popularity amongst the school community. But appearances can be misleading and so we need to be looking at a leader’s heart, their character, the unseen qualities that shine when nobody else is looking. This is what God saw in David, and this is what we see in our Shelford student leaders.
To the leaders of 2024, I urge you to remember that genuine leadership emanates from within – from the depths of our character. This is where our integrity is formed and our ability to lead flows from. So be leaders that shape this school because of the shape of your HEART. Be leaders that cultivate community through your CHARACTER. Be leaders that influence because you have incredible INTEGRITY.
We have amazing women who have walked before us at Shelford that have demonstrated what a heart for leadership looks like. We walk in their footsteps and what an honour that is! And in the wider world we have also been given incredible examples of women who have passionately led with hearts attuned with love, integrity and character.
Leadership through Compassion – Princess Diana shaking the hands of an AIDS patients.
Leadership through Survival – Malala Yousafzai’s campaign for female education.
Leadership through Bravery – Julia Gillard in a context of male centred politics.
Leadership through Protest – Rosa Parks choosing not to move from her seat on the bus.
Leadership through Empathy – Jacinda Ardern demonstrating vulnerability and human focused leadership.
What type of leader will our students be this year? What type of leader will you be in your life? I pray that we would remember this verse as we lead - that people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
Cultivate what really matters: your heart, your character, your integrity.
Erin Juers
Chaplain