Leading Without Giving Way To Pride
It has been an incredible journey studying C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. One of the influential pieces of literature for both Lewis and Tolkien was Beowulf. I just finished reading Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf. I can see why this narrative length poem influenced them. I’ve already blogged about parts of Beowulf that caused me to pause and reflect in Beowulf: No Ordinary Leader, Unveiling Power: Exploring the Themes and Legacy of Beowulf, Humility and Integrity: The Path to True Strength and Lasting Honor. Both Lewis and Tolkien wrote a lot about “pride” and that is also a recurring theme in Beowulf.
One of the leadership traits that Lewis and Tolkien bring forward in their works is “humility.” Lewis taught us the difference between good pride and pride as a vice. We should be proud of our own work and accomplishments, but never at the expense of making ourselves out to be better than someone else. In line 1760, Beowulf is exhorted to be mindful of the fragility of life. Beowulf is told: “Choose, dear Beowulf, the better part, [line 1760] eternal rewards. Do not give way to pride. For a brief while your strength is in bloom…” Being told not to give way to pride means that Beowulf should avoid letting arrogance or excessive self-confidence cloud his judgment and actions.
Pride can lead to recklessness or losing sight of humility and moral integrity. The story emphasizes the importance of humility in leadership and heroism, suggesting that true greatness comes from virtues like humility and respect, rather than boastfulness or overconfidence. By remaining humble, Beowulf can uphold his honor and ensure that his strength and achievements are used wisely and ethically. There is a lot we can learn from Beowulf’s example.
Don’t Freak Out Till You Leave The Room!
I get to work in a lot of spaces where different technology is used for projection and audio. For the most part I pride myself in being pretty low maintenance. I always try to get myself up and running and do my own troubleshooting. This past week for facilitating the National FFA Teacher Ambassador training we start the week with one screen and progress to four screens. Our tech person, Andy, for that event is the greatest. He always remembers me (relationship) and he knows the little quirks (personalized) that my computer has. When we move to multi-screens my adapter does not work. It works everywhere around the world (literally) except our four screen setup. The day I walked in to hook up for four screens system Andy was there. He said, “I marked this adapter and know it is the one that works for you.” Now, if that is not individualized service, I don’t know what is! That’s also the power of relationships.
Andy has never said, “Well Byron, the problem is you have a Mac.” If you want to make me mad that is what you say. Stupidest comment ever. Like I’m going to Amazon and instantly get a PC! Anyway, Andy is always super calm and is always able to make adjustments to make everything work. I shared with him that there are some places I walk into and am stressed till everything works. We I walk into an event with him I am stress free, set everything up, and if it works, great; if it doesn’t work, Andy’s immediately got my back.
It is truly about how we show up. Do we show up looking at the problem? Or, do we show up looking for the solution? This reminds me of MacGyver. Remember him? He didn’t freak out; he looked for solutions. This all reminded me of a post I did in 2019, MacGyver Intersectional Leadership. I asked Andy what the key was to his success as a technology specialist. What he said was awesome: “Don’t freak out till you leave the room!” Good advice!
The Impact of the Two-Way Street of Influence
One of the sessions I did while facilitating alongside the incredible National FFA team at this past week’s National FFA Teacher Ambassador training was titled “Who Do I Influence”. In that session we discussed that influence starts with relationships and is about impact not status. Our legacy is the sum total of the influence we’ve had on others. That legacy is important. It is what is left behind after conversations, after we hit send on texts and emails, how we show up, being available, and how we include and help others belong.
We are influencing and being influenced every moment of every day.
Every year when I cover this topic with ambassadors I also remember how important those who have influenced me are. Great leaders not only embrace the opportunity to influence, but also accept responsibility for who is influencing them. I get the incredible opportunity to be influenced by a great leader with National FFA who has been influencing me for over twenty years.
Ambra Tennery, now director of educational programs in the program and events division of the National FFA Organization, and I were together for her entire teaching career. I had the opportunity to see her in action when she was student teaching and from that moment on I was in recruitment (stalking) mode. I wanted to teach with her! A close friendship and professional bond was forged that still exists today; a bond over two decades old. This relationship taught me that influence is a two-way street. Ambra came into our agriculture program with fresh ideas, incredible teaching skills and strategies, and a natural talent for forming relationships with students. I was learning from her every day!
This two-way street of influence is about growth and learning for everyone involved. Ambra and I were open to influence, we gained new insights from each other and challenged each other’s assumptions, which helped us both expand our horizons. Today, we continue to stay receptive to each other’s feedback, adapting our approaches if needed. Ambra is a great leader and I am so fortunate to have a front seat to continue to witness and experience that leadership. This bidirectional process has cultivated a deep sense of partnership, empowering each of us to evolve and grow. Ultimately, a healthy exchange of influence nurtures collaboration, innovation, and even deeper connections.
Influence really is a two-way street. Let’s make sure we are impacting others like those who have impacted us along the way. Also, let’s make sure we don’t miss the opportunity to be influenced by someone else. We need to travel the two-way street of influence.
Stretching The Moments
This week I did a week-long facilitation and the “vibe” was incredible. Usually, I am not a night owl in the hotel bar, because I want to be fresh and recharged for each day of being “on”. But as I said, the vibe was incredible. I found myself having a tough time making it through the lobby and bar without stopping every three feet to talk to another group of participants. It was so great to be connecting and building relationships. These are important moments at an event.
As time went on, people kept commenting, “I thought you were going to bed two hours ago.” I thought I was too, but there was so much warmth and enjoyment being shared. It signified that the individuals were engaging and memorable enough to make time seem like it flew by. Instead of feeling pressured to leave quickly, I allowed myself to savor the moment, deepen relationships, and create lasting memories. This lingering atmosphere was fostering stronger connections, making the event more meaningful for everyone involved.
Moreover, such moments highlight a sense of comfort and genuine camaraderie. We all valued each other’s presence and the fun or meaningful conversations we shared. It transformed the experience from a simple social obligation into an enjoyable ritual, where the focus is on connection rather than deadlines. In a way, stretching out these moments showcases that quality time is worth cherishing, even if it means delaying bedtime for a little while longer.
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