If we believe in Jesus (even if we don't), we have to admit that His understanding of good leadership is quite different from what we usually see and experience. For example, He focused on discipling 12 men instead of recruiting a huge team or ruling over armies of people. He, the Son of Man, did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life as the ransom price in exchange for the salvation of many (Mark 10,45 (TPT)). He, in the same context, is called both 'the Lion and the Lamb':
Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals. And there between the throne and among the elders I saw a Lamb (Christ) standing, as though it had been slain. - Rev. 5,5-6 (AMP)
It seems to be a real antagonism. As Lion of Judah and son of David, Jesus represents what the Jews expected in the Messiah who was supposed to come and defeat their enemies. As the Lamb (which is His predominant name in Revelation), He is the overcomer and the ultimate sacrifice for sin. He is both powerful and innocent, mighty and sacrificial. Doesn't this sound like a really paradox leadership model?
Paradoxical combination of being both humble and willful
I've always been fascinated by Jim Collins' description of great leadership which he calls 'Level-5 leadership'. Level-5 leaders 'build enduring greatness through a paradoxical combination of personal humility plus professional will (for something bigger than themselves)'. They are ambitious and determined to make their organizations and their people succeed without necessarily being in the center of attention themselves. Level-5 leaders are an example of duality: modest, ambitious, insistent, persevering, fearless on the one hand; and humble, considered, self-controlled, vulnerable on the other hand.
Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart.
Brené Brown, a research professor studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, has a similar illustration of this phenomenon. She describes it as 'Strong back. Soft front. Wild heart':
The mark of a wild heart is living out the paradox of love in our lives. It's the ability to be tough and tender, excited and scared, brave and afraid – all in the same moment. It's showing up in our vulnerability and our courage, being both fierce and kind. - Brené Brown
'Lion and Lamb' Leadership
I've met many leaders who pay attention only to the lion. They want to be strong and aim to get power over companies, systems and people. But 'a lion without a lamb’s heart is only voice without substance', says Henri Nouwen. Mature leadership is the ability to let the lion and the lamb within us lie down together, metaphorically speaking. It's about strengthening our lion, i.e. our initiative-taking, decision-making, ambitious self; and about nurturing our lamb, i.e. the humble and vulnerable part of our self. It's about 'strengthening our back, softening our front, and trying to listen to the whispers of our wild heart' (Brené Brown). And about practicing a leadership style that is able to deal with the paradoxical blend of being:
- Mighty and innocent.
- Courageous and vulnerable.
- Shy and fearless.
- Ambitious and self-effacing.
- Modest and willful.
- Humble and fearless.
- Lion and lamb.
