It doesn’t matter, skeptic, doubter, or believer, the Christmas Story contains useful leadership lessons.
Connect:
Leaders connect. Who can’t connect with a baby?
If leadership is all about people then connecting is essential. When I asked Henry Mintzberg for his favorite word of advice, he said one word, “Connect.”
Vulnerability:
Vulnerability is dangerous but necessary to connect. Vulnerability welcomes in.
I’m often tempted to pull away and protect myself. Isolation and silence are my preferred protection-strategies. Have you seen isolated leaders?
But, protection-mode slows everything and blocks relationship. Jettison protection – embrace vulnerability. Of course it’s dangerous. Leading is risky.
Control:
Control creates artificial, stagnant, imitation relationships. Run to the mess. Go so far as making the mess.
Messy:
The arrival of Jesus was messy. Animals and a stable aren’t optimal.
Embrace the mess; don’t wait for perfection. Every path forward has reasons it won’t work, reasons to wait.
All you’ll do is mess with ducks, if you wait till all your ducks are in a row.
Anger:
The arrival of Jesus infuriated some. Do something that ticks someone off.
If everyone loves what you do, you aren’t doing much.
First and toward:
Christmas is Jesus moving first and leaning toward. Jump in and do something. Step toward challenges not away.
What leadership lessons do you learn from religious holidays you celebrate?