The Leader’s Behaviours: Understanding and Leveraging Leadership & Risk
Ada Yu
Unit4.1LDRS3001.pptxTWU GLOBAL Ldrs 300: Leadership as service
Unit 4
Today’s Class
We will explore the idea of risk and how risk is connected with our ability to lead.
How do we view risk? How does that help or hinder our ability to lead ourselves and others?
How was Jesus a risk-taker? Why was he able to take such risks? What can we learn from Jesus’ approach to risk-taking?
In-class activity #1
In your Breakout Room.
One by one, each person takes a turn answering 1 question.
Repeat until all the questions have been answered.
Victory is only wrested by running risks. Winston Churchill
Taking Risks for all the Wrong Reasons
Taking Risks for all the wrong reasons - Group activity
What was the motivation for the risk takers in this story?
When deciding on whether to take risks or not - ‘If the risk is low enough and the rewards are high enough then do whatever it takes to get it done’. Is that true? Why or why not?
Gene Wilkes says, “We expect leaders to lead from positions of power. Leaders often elevate themselves to places bigger than life to inspire their people” (pp129). In what ways do you see this playing out in this story? What was the result or impact of “leading from power” in this story?
If you could make $550Million and all you would have to do is hurt 6billion people would you do it? Why do you think the CEO of Lehman Bros did it?
What would a servant leader have done differently in this situation?
Jesus – a Risk Taker?
Jesus’ life on earth demonstrates huge risk taking:
He left the unlimited power and perfection of heaven for the limitations and messiness of earth (John 6:38; John 3:13).
He never misused his position to bully or manipulate people (Matt 11:29; Matt 5:5).
He knew that he would be laying down his life for others, many of whom would reject him, abuse him, ridicule him and torture him (1 John 3:16; John 3:16, John 15:3).
Jesus’ life on earth demonstrates huge risk taking:
When he interacted with women, he broke all kinds of Jewish laws and customs (Luke 8:2 & 3; John 4).
When he interacted with non-Jewish people (Gentiles), he broke all kinds of Jewish laws and customs (John 4; John 10:16; Matthew 28:18-20).
When he interacts with “sinners”, he is mocked and ridiculed (Mark 2:13-17).
When he healed on the Sabbath, he broke all kinds of Jewish laws and customs (Mark 3:1-6).
How could Jesus do these things?
He knew that God was in control (p. 130)
He knew he had come from God (p. 130)
He knew that he was returning to God (p. 131)
So what does this mean to you and I
since we are not Jesus?
“Servant leaders can risk serving others when they trust that God is in control of their lives.”
IN-Class Reflection
What keeps you from taking risks?
Which of Margie Warrell’s 4 elements of assessing risk
do you struggle with:
We overestimate the probability of something going wrong.
We exaggerate the consequences of what might happen if it does go wrong.
We under estimate our ability to handle the consequences of risk.
We discount or deny the cost of inaction, and sticking with the status quo.
“All paradigm pioneers have a different spirit from the naysayers about them. They have the ability to see a new thing, to perceive a bright future, to tap into the power of God.”
SERVANT LEADERS Take riskS
#1 – God is still in control. If you follow Jesus, then God is also the one in control of your life. And we recognize that we are part of a larger story unfolding.
#2 - You are loved, you were created in love and you were created to love others.
SERVANT LEADERS Take riskS
#3 – God has a purpose in creating you the way God did and it is your life long mission to discover what you were meant to do.
#4 – As you discover you purpose, your mission, when you use what you have been given, how you have been shaped and TAKE A RISK BY LEADING & RISK LIKE JESUS because the world needs you!
By avoiding risk we really risk what’s most important in life - reaching toward growth, our full potential, and a true contribution to a common good.
~ Max DePree
For next Class
1. Reflection Paper - zappos.com due today
2. Servant Leadership Portfolio #2 due on Oct 19.
3. Readings in Wilkes – Principle 4 – Take Risks.
4. Read the articles posted in moodle and watch - “A Theology in Risk Taking”.
