It seems we need to shift a few old-fashioned leadership paradigms. Setting aside the traditional overemphasis on strategic thinking and logical action, I say we opt in favor of what is best for the relationships we touch and the relational grace they require. Sure, the old approach works to an extent, but it is like putting low-grade fuel in a Scuderia Ferrari. A valuable Formula One car is not built to run on the cheap stuff. In fact, it will ruin the engine. Running on the GRACES of leadership, will show on the track.

The G.R.A.C.E.S. of leadership are essential core values that you and I can cultivate in our lives to model and enrich grace-based attachment to God and others. If they are part of our personal lives, our leadership will reflect it too. But when gaps exist between our values and actions, problems will occur. Our values must be integrated into our life, leadership, and ministry—the core motivation for all strategy and action, from the top down.

The Jesus Way of Relationships

Following Jesus is not a linear relationship for leaders or anyone else. It is all about our relating and relationships along the way. For me, Eugene Peterson sums things up for us nicely in his book The Jesus Way:

I want to counter the common reduction of “way” to a road,

a route, a line on a map—a line that we can use to find our

way to eternal life; such reduction means the elimination of

way as a metaphor, the reduction of way to a lifeless technology.

The Way that is Jesus is not only the roads that Jesus walked in

Galilee and to Jerusalem but also the way Jesus walked on those

roads, the way he acted, felt, talked, gestured, prayed, healed,

taught and died. And the way of his resurrection. The Way that

is Jesus cannot be reduced to information or instruction. The

Way is a person whom we believe and follow as God-with-us.

—EUGENE H. PETERSON, THE JESUS WAY

For better or worse, leaders have an air about them.

Those motivated by people-pleasing or performance will exploit people. Intentionally or not, this sets up a manipulative, codependent culture. A leader like this can look so good on the outside too—but their leadership style stinks. Basing their identity on highs born from image, success metrics, control, religious rationale, and problem mitigation, such a leader treats both those they lead and those they serve as nothing more than pawns in the game. If these characteristics turn up in the life of your leadership, call a spiritual hazmat team, quick!

There is a lot of fear, pain, and wrong thinking rattling around in the narrative of codependents. As you’ve probably figured out, none of the outcomes have fairy-tale endings to them—no matter how good the rationale.

Most of us who use tablets or smartphones are familiar with the term default system. Samsung products come preloaded with an Android operating system as its default, while Apple’s default operating system is iOS. Both govern the way we use our devices—dictating its capabilities and limits. Whatever our operating system, you and I get so used to how it works that the idea of switching is practically inconceivable.

As part of our nature, you and I are also “preloaded” with a default operating system that guides both our spiritual life and our central nervous system—that guidance system is fear.

I can’t count the number of occasions I’ve heard this verse misquoted to explain the importance of articulating a clear and compelling vision for people to follow. Immature leaders with vibrant, personal charisma are especially at risk for misuse of this verse. Taken in context, the original word translated as vision refers to the kind of revelation that comes from God. The weight remains in His hands. It’s not about motivating others to fulfill a compelling vision—it’s about articulating a clear revelation coming directly from God or Scripture. To be led by God in our leadership means being purposeful to make room for Him to share His heart for us and the kinds of things He’d like us to join Him in.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a massive music fan–especially songs with rich, textured rhythm and harmonies. My young ears were captivated by the beat and harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel, CSNY, The Beatles, and The Moody Blues, to name just a few. Over the years, my love for the layers of music only grew. Viscerally, I feel music—I don’t just hear it.