Leadership is leadership. Whether it's in a church, in a school or multinational corporation. Simply put, leadership is the ability to influence human behavior. But we all know it's not that simple. All of us have different leadership styles. Different approaches. And varying leadership abilities.
Influencing behavior in a positive unified way has never been easy and takes the right people with the right attitude to move people.
However, when leadership involves someone's religion or faith, leadership can take on whole new dimension. Or does it? Or do we assume that because someone professed to be of a particular religious faith, they will run a business or manage differently than anyone else. Perhaps they will but bottom line they have to lead so that an organization or business runs smoothly and at a profit.
Out of all the leaders I can remember, three professed leaders come to mind. All were hugely successful and were respected for acknowledging their faith. And of course all the leaders were sports leaders.
One was Tom Landry. The other Tony Dungy and of course Tim Tebow.
Tom Landry coached the Dallas Cowboys for 29 years. He compiled a record of 270-178-6 while winning two superbowls, 5 NFC titles and 13 Divisional Titles. He's the third winningest coach of all time. Coach Landry is also credited for inventing the flex defense, the shotgun or the modern day spread offense and the 4-3 defense. Landry's long tenure and success proves that his belief in God can work! If a Christian can be successful on the football field with people from all walks of life, Christian leadership can work anywhere.
Tony Dungy coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts. Tampa Bay was mildly successful and was know for the Tampa Two Defense. The Buccaneers consistently went to the playoffs but Coach Dungy was eventually fired because of the team's losses in the playoffs. However, Dungy would go on to coach the Indianapolis Colts and would become the first African American coach to win the superbowl. And he did it God's way.
The most famous of all Christian athletes has to be Tim Tebow. Tebow made a name for himself while at the University of Florida where he won two national championships and become the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He openly professed his belief in Christianity and is wildly famous and popular for it. At the same time, one could argue that he is the most watched and criticized athlete of all time.
That comes with the territory with being widely known and a Christian. Ridicule and persecution come with the territory.
Leadership is leadership. Whether you're a Christian or not, you have to be able to command respect and be able to influence people. And bottom line. You have to win.
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