Mentors of Ministry Article Archive

The Art of Leadership

By Sandy Ohlman

This is the time of year in Michigan for winter sports fans. My son is one of those fans. He’s a snowboarder and it amazes me how he and his friends have picked up this sport so quickly and function so well. As I have watched my son and other “boarders” on the slopes and on televised competitions, I’ve observed some of the secrets to their success. Those who do very well at the sport have similar traits. Interestingly, they apply very well to the area of leadership development as well. The parallel between the two will be used to inspire you to see yourself as having the potential to be a great leader and capable of learning the skills.

First of all, snowboarders have a love for adventure. They are wide open to it. This is a mandatory characteristic in both an athlete and a leader. It’s an adventure to be part of something that requires you to position yourself in a setting where momentum and risk are involved and where all the elements are not in your control. But it seems to add to the thrill. Great leaders are risk takers, not in a foolish sense but rather they are willing to pay the price for a trophy that is often unseen. While charting a course for others to follow they have to be willing to risk controversy and rejection, possible miscalculations and error, all the while focused forward to anticipate the next turn and the possibilities ahead. Yes, great leaders are all about adventure.

One of the most admirable traits of these athletes is their hunger for instruction. They watch each other, helping one other by demonstrating and explaining the skills over and over. When he’s not on the slopes, my son watches televised competitions, instructional videos and reads books that teach the sport. A teachable person who is willing to apply themselves to study has tremendous potential in sports and leadership. God tells us to “Study to show ourselves approved” for our position as messengers of the gospel. A person who is willing to learn from the wisdom of God and leaders is less likely to 'wipe out' on the slopes of life. They are equipped through wisdom to reach their potential.

While watching portions of the “X-games” with my son (an Olympic type of event for X-treme sports athletes) I watched one young competitor as he experienced a terrible fall. Physically, it was brutal. He had to have really hurt his back. Yet seconds later when he reached the bottom of the hill where all the Press and fans were awaiting him, he was genuinely cheerful, very up-beat, and took ownership of the error without missing a beat. He didn’t even seem that disappointed. When I made a comment to my son about this behavior he said, “Oh, he’s always like that – he’s known for it.”

I’d like to have a reputation like that young man. To be able to fail and not 'miss a beat', remaining focused on the potential ahead instead of a momentary error is a mental skill critical to great athletes and leaders. Some people have a personality that lends well to it, but we all have the potential to develop this ability. We must keep a forward focus, believing God for any redemption needed and for insight to move into the future. By remaining focused on the certainty of God’s faithfulness to help and lead us, our minds will stay alert and our emotions calm.

As you continue to venture into the great unknown commit your way to God. Let Him be your Coach and Trainer. Embrace the adventure He has for you. Be teachable and a good student of the Word and of other experienced leaders who have already blazed a trail.

Finally, keep your mind and heart set on God. Guard them well. As you do, in moments of failure when there is a temptation to take in the discouragement of disappointment, your mind and heart will be fully occupied with hope. You will be unwilling to stop and sit down on the trail. God is before you. The mountain of God is yours to discover.

– Blaze on!