Multiplying Leaders: Breaking down Barriers and Biases

Ross Naylor-Tatterson
September 24th 2024

As we strive to multiply leaders, we must first confront the biases that limit our perception of potential candidates. Do we automatically dismiss individuals based on gender, age, experience, tenure, or ethnicity? In global missions, do we require leaders to be fluent in English? The "similar to me" bias pervades many organizations, hindering the growth and creativity that diverse leadership brings.

The Importance of Healthy Leaders

To multiply healthy leaders, we must first assess the health of our existing leaders. The biotic principle reminds us that healthy things grow and reproduce. Therefore, we must prioritize the development of liberating leaders who empower others. As Jeremie Kubicek so aptly puts it:

“The world is crying out for leaders of integrity; leaders who are willing to make difficult decisions, to get themselves as healthy as they can, and then to be prepared to sacrificially multiply that into the lives of others.”

Embracing the Jesus Leadership Style

The life of Jesus offers a powerful model for leadership. He demonstrated a liberating leadership style, empowering others to reach their full potential. By centering our conduct around bringing freedom to those we interact with, we can create an environment where growth and multiplication thrive. Jesus' leadership style was marked by self-awareness, humility, and a willingness to challenge and support others. He asked questions that revealed the heart and provoked deeper thinking, and He treated everyone with dignity and respect.

Characteristics of Liberating Leaders

Liberating leaders possess self-awareness, recognizing how self-preservation can hinder their ability to multiply leaders. They ask themselves:

1. What am I trying to hide?
2. What am I afraid of losing?
3. What am I trying to prove, and to whom?

These leaders know when to support and challenge others, fostering growth and potential. They understand the power of asking questions that reveal the heart and provoke deeper thinking. By describing problems without assigning blame, they invite others to take responsibility for their actions.

Cultivating a Liberating Presence

To become liberating leaders, we must learn to balance support and challenge. Those who naturally support others must grow in their ability to challenge, and vice versa. By treating everyone as thinking adults, we create an environment where growth and multiplication thrive.

Multiplying leaders requires us to confront our biases, prioritize leader health, and cultivate liberating leadership. By embracing the Jesus leadership style and prioritizing integrity, self-awareness, and empowerment, we can create a ripple effect of growth, empowerment, and transformation that resonates with the world's cry for leaders of integrity.