What Exactly is Leadership …Part 5

September 15, 2017

Mutually Beneficial More Than Selfishly Prosperous

In the midst of all the turmoil occurring across our country daily, the news about the hurricanes was almost welcome relief. Not that we get relief from the hardship of others; we don’t. Yet, it focused our attention on the very real challenges our neighbors were facing and gave us the opportunity to try to provide some help. Clearly, for more than 2 centuries, Americans have believed it to be mutually beneficial when all of our citizens are safe and secure.

Corporations Care

That belief is shared not only by individual Americans; it is also shared by our corporate citizens who have been increasing donations to help with relief efforts. Consider just a few examples:

Walgreens committed $200,000 to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief, and their customers can also donate at their stores. They are also donating food items, first aid and medical equipment to the American Red Cross.
The Kroger Foundation has committed $100,000 to the Houston Food Bank.
HCA Healthcare will donate $1 million to the American Red Cross. It will also match up to $1 million in employee donations.
Verizon has pledged $10 million to Harvey relief efforts.
NFL star J.J. Watt personally raised $30 million for hurricane relief and these are but a few examples.

All of this shows that there is a great deal more to relationships and business and life than making a profit and serving self. In fact, that was exactly the point Charles Dickens made when he wrote about the self-centered Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

What We Can Learn from Scrooge

Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s deceased business associate, appeared one night in the form of Marley’s Ghost. As Marley explains his earthly regrets, Scrooge challenges him saying, “But you were always a good man of business, Jacob.”

At this, Marley’s Ghost replies, “Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

In addition to being a beloved and enduring Christmas story, Dickens’ work is also a commentary on business and the social conditions that existed in England around the time of the Industrial Revolution. Through the dialogue between Marley and Scrooge, Dickens points out that business exists for purposes beyond just making money for the owner. There is a responsibility for business leaders to attend also to the human needs of workers and others rather than exploiting or commodifying them. It is only in realizing and acting on the fact that Bob Cratchit is actually a person with a family and needs, that Scrooge finds redemption and becomes a leader. Essentially, Scrooge stops commodifying every aspect of his relationship with Cratchit and starts treating him as a person with value beyond what he can do for Scrooge.

Business Should be Mutually Beneficial

In order for leadership actually to be leadership, it necessitates that relationships between leaders and followers address a set of mutual needs and aspirations, not just those of the leader. Scrooge’s inability to recognize that point made him a selfish, commodifying power wielder instead of a leader. Certainly heads of corporations can drive performance and profits, but that doesn’t make them leaders. As Dickens and many others have expressed; leadership requires the presence of a common and ethical purpose that promises to benefit everyone involved in its pursuit. Beyond that, leadership is also a relationship in which people are respected, and leaders and followers are bound together by and freely give themselves to that common purpose. Simply stated, people are not commodities and they cannot be led effectively by treating them as such.

America at its Best

That’s what is happening in Houston and Florida today. Our citizenry is intervening because they believe people have inherent worth. Individuals and corporations alike are demonstrating this kind of leadership both in fundraising and volunteer efforts over and over and over again, and we are all better off because of it.

“I really support The Covenant Group’s strategic planning process because their approach encourages staff-based support with board buy-in, and I felt that was important given what we were trying to achieve. The outcome is an effective plan that builds consensus and provides a clear sense of direction.”
- Jennifer Scott, Director of Development - The Cabbage Patch Settlement House

“The Covenant Group is highly competent, very experienced and knowledgeable. They provided a broad perspective by equipping us with useful data…and best practices in the field. All in all, they are excellent.”
- Dan Jones, CEO - 21st Century Parks

“The campaign has truly been a miracle. People were committed from the beginning, but…even raising $650,000 seemed like a stretch. To nearly double that amount is incredible! When the plan they developed allows you to hit a goal like that, it builds such a sense of community. The momentum built by the campaign is spilling outside the walls of our church and benefiting others in the process.”
-Father John Hollowell - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church

“For those of us who don’t do this everyday, The Covenant Group instilled confidence in us. They helped us get through the fear and apprehension by providing us with a process, training and motivation. They taught us and helped us plan in a way that was for the better. We have built lasting relationships with donors and we will continue to steward these relationships long into the future.”
- Sue Finke, Director of Institutional Advancement - Covington Catholic High School

“No one anticipated we could raise this amount. Even the Archdiocese is surprised. The funds raised represent about 15 times our annual giving. But it’s not just the financial results. People stand around talking more than they did before the campaign. There is also a renewed and energized spirit among the parishioners. It’s the most exciting thing to happen in our parish in the last 100 years.”
- Gary Libs, Campaign Co-Chair - St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church

“The Covenant Group’s process involved a lot of people in our congregation doing small tasks … that built ownership. They took our vision and put it into a concrete plan. They helped us understand the importance of making our vision clear and laid out the steps to make the vision a reality. Their process built consensus and showed people how they could help. Their methods are based on a solid theological foundation that includes key documents, prayer support, and requisite training … all of which were invaluable.”
- Daniel Montgomery, Pastor - Sojourn Community Church

“Everything The Covenant Group did to help us…in the initial stages was helpful…the development of the case statement; our materials; the training of our Board members; strategies; all these steps laid the foundation for eventual success. They brought such a high level of professionalism, a wealth of experience and a strong track record of integrity and success… just being associated with The Covenant Group helped us.”
- Nancy Doctor, Development Director - Wellspring

“The structure The Covenant Group provided was excellent. It allowed our members to use their God-given talents to benefit the church community They helped us develop a plan and identify key leadership candidates to chair the effort, as well as engaging between 80 to 100 people to carry out the work of the campaign. It was truly a whole congregation effort and The Covenant Group helped facilitate that. They helped us reach our full potential as a congregation.”
- Ron Poisel, Pastor - Christ Lutheran Church

What Exactly is Leadership …Part 5

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