Art’s Eye for Evil
In the past several years I have reflected a lot on how I get more out of reading fiction books than non-fiction. I don’t say this just from an entertainment factor, but also from a deeper learning perspective. Interestingly, as I have in the last five years been intensively studying C. S. Lewis, GeorgeMacDonald, and Dorothy Sayers, and their appreciation for fiction, I have found fiction to be a major influencer of these author’s work and lives. Learning this has made me feel, not quite so “out there” in my thinking. In reading Dr. Richard Hughes Gibson’s just released and awesome book, The Way of Dante: Going Through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven with C.S. Lewis, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Charles Williams (2025), the influence of fiction writing was even further affirmed.
Gibson noted, “…the fact that my archival labors revealed daily how thoroughly Dante had infiltrated my trio’s [C. S. Lewis, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Charles Williams] reading and writing lives” (p. xvii). Gibson’s new book interested me on several levels, but this idea of influence really interested me. Then at the beginning of Chapter 6, The Problem of Glory, Gibson asserted that, “EVIL MAY BE A PROBLEM for philosophers and theologians, but it is no problem for artists” (page 123). I loved this because it drove home what I have been saying about narrative artists and the power of fiction for years now – we get to see all the context and all the complexity of the characters. The artist reveals everything we need to know. This doesn’t happen, at least not all the time, with non-fiction.
Dr. Gibson referenced philosopher Agnes Callard saying, “Callard, let me be clear, thinks that art’s eye for evil is a good thing. Amid our busy lives, we look at the world with a purpose, and our purposes become blinders, obscuring our recognition of the ‘irrelevant, the unhelpful, and the downright wicked.’ Artists, by contrast, ‘take a long hard look at what the rest of us can’t bring ourselves to examine; they are our eyes and ears’” (p. 124). This illuminates the distinction between everyday perception and artistic perception. Callard suggested that people generally view the world through a purpose-driven lens, focusing on what matters to us—our goals, needs, and interests. This focus acts like blinders, preventing us from noticing things that don’t directly relate to our intentions, including aspects that might be irrelevant, unhelpful, or even morally troubling.
Gibson’s appreciation is for the artist’s role in providing a deeper, more honest perspective—especially regarding the presence of evil or wickedness—something that society generally tends to shy away from confronting directly. The emphasis, according to Gibson, is the importance of art as a means of truth-telling and of gaining a more comprehensive understanding of reality, beyond our convenient but limited viewpoints.
The Problem of Glory
“Glory, simply put, is a problem” (p. 126). This statement by Dr. Richard Hughes Gibson in his just released book, The Way of Dante: Going Through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven with C. S. Lewis, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Charles Williams (2025), is such an apt view of glory. We can look at glory as problematic both from a Christian aspect and our everyday lives. Glory is very hard to define and hard to grasp. Gibson pointed out that C.S. Lewis viewed the idea of “glory” as problematic primarily because it can be misunderstood or misused.
In his writings, especially in The Problem of Pain and The Weight of Glory, C. S. Lewis emphasized that true glory is rooted in humility and is ultimately a reflection of God’s greatness, rather than something to be sought for personal pride or recognition. Lewis wrote in is 1941 sermon The Weight of Glory, “Salvation is constantly associated with palms, crowns, white robes, thrones, and splendor like the sun and stars. All this makes no immediate appeal to me at all, and in that respect I fancy I am a typical modern” (p. 35). Lewis went on to say, “Either glory means to me fame, or it means luminosity. As for the first, since to be famous means to be better known than other people, the desire for fame appears to me as a competitive passion and therefore of hell rather than heaven. As for the second, who wishes to become a kind of living electric light bulb?” (p. 36).
Lewis was warning against pursuing glory as a means to elevate oneself above others or to gain superficial honor, as this can lead to pride and spiritual downfall. Instead, he was advocating understanding glory as a gift from God, something bestowed in humility and gratitude, not a human achievement to be flaunted. We would all do well to remember this is our everyday lives today.
Thinking Before Acting: Embracing Multiple Perspectives for Better Decisions
In The Father Brown Stories, G. K. Chesterton created a conversation between Father Brown and Flambeau where it was said, “There’s a disadvantage in a stick pointing straight,” answered the other. “What is it? Why, the other end of the stick always points the opposite way. It depends whether you get hold of the stick by the right end. I saw the thing done once and I’ve never believed in it since” (p. 118). I loved this. It offers a valuable lesson and analogy about perception, perspective, and the importance of understanding context. The pointing of the stick highlights how our assumptions or initial perceptions can be misleading if we don’t consider the full picture.
The key takeaway for me was that things are often not what they seem at first glance. Just as grabbing a stick by one end reveals a different direction on the other, approaching problems, people, or situations without fully understanding their context can lead to misunderstandings or errors. Chesterton suggested the importance of perspective—seeing things from multiple angles before forming a conclusion.
Chesterton may have never intended those lines to serve as a leadership lesson encouraging us to:
- Avoid jumping to conclusions based solely on initial impressions.
- Recognize that different perspectives can reveal truths that are not immediately visible.
- Approach challenges with curiosity and an open mind, considering all sides before acting.
But, that thought of a stick pointing both directions sure made me ponder. How about you?
Leading With Rituals
I had a person recently comment that they liked that I use a lot of rituals when working with groups. I am a lover of rituals. Rituals are important whether working with students or adults. We Americans think of ourselves as not being very ritualistic, but really we are. For example, did you take those first day of school photos of your kids? We did! We took one every year k-12 and even when we were leaving to move my son in for his first year of college. That picture was by the same lamppost next to our sidewalk leading into the house every year. We have them all framed together. It was even such a ritual that my son found a lamppost on Murray State’s campus and got a photo each year. I really like the Cambridge Dictionary definition of ritual: “a way of doing something in which the same actions are done in the same way every time.” Rituals are important for organizations and leaders because they help foster a sense of identity, unity, and shared purpose among members.
When I was teaching, a ritual I did for every class, every day was standing at the door to my classroom and shaking every students’ hand. It is amazing how this builds relationships and what you can tell about a student when shaking their hand. When possible, I do this when working with adults as well. It’s a ritual I do whenever possible.
Another ritual I do for workshops is have every person make a name tent. One it helps me learn names and well as personalize the experience by using names. These rituals serve as symbols that reinforce organizational values and culture, creating a sense of stability and continuity.
Rituals also enhance morale by providing meaningful moments of celebration, recognition, or reflection, which can boost motivation and engagement. For leaders, establishing rituals helps to communicate core messages consistently, build trust, and strengthen relationships within the team.
Leading Like Buc-ee
The greatest leaders are exemplars. As leaders we must be authentic but at the same time embody the values and ideas we espouse. Successful businesses that are considered leaders in the industry must also embody what they espouse to do. I love the word “embody,” which according to the Cambridge Dictionary, means “to represent a quality or an idea exactly.” This embodiment of our values and authenticity becomes infectious.
If you don’t believe that, stop at a Buc-ee’s the next time you are traveling. They are “committed to providing a clean, friendly, and in stock experience for our customers.” The key word here is “experience.” Going to Buc-ee’s is an experience. I’ve written about this experience before in Smiles For All Your Miles.
You’ll find the cleanest and best designed restrooms, great food, any other item you might need, AND the cheapest fuel. This past weekend when traveling to Shelbyville, Tennessee I stopped at the Buc-ee’s in Smiths Grove, Kentucky. Gas was $2.89/gallon when I left home and was $2.19/gallon at Buc-ee’s with the nearest station in Smiths Grove being $2.41/gallon.
Yes, it is crowded and sometimes a little nuts, but, as I said, it is always an experience. And the experience always embodies the commitment to providing a clean, friendly, and in stock experience for customers. Lines move quickly and the Buc-ee’s employees are super friendly and helpful. I love stopping there and if Buc-ee is there, I always get my picture taken with the mascot (see the featured photo). Buc-ee’s is a reminder we must embody what we espouse as leaders. In other words, walk the talk.
Being Friendly Like Frisch’s® Big Boy®
Yesterday, I had an amazing time going to Shelbyville, Tennessee to visit my friends at Uncle Nearest Distillery (more on that it a future post). On the way we stopped at my favorite place to eat, Frisch’s Big Boy. Now, if you have never experienced a Big Boy®; you need to! It’s iconic. Frisch’s Big Boy is the original “craveable homemade foods.” After we ate and were back on the road I told my wife that I was always impressed with how friendly everyone was at Frisch’s.
That is by design. Frisch’s® brand promise is, “Good fun happens over great food served by friendly faces.” It has always interested me how much relationship building and fun happen around meals. I’m also a big believer that successful leadership involves inspiring teams to deliver memorable moments that combine quality, fun, and genuine care. It is always clear when entering a Frisch’s Big Boy that a culture where warmth and genuine friendliness are at the core of every customer interaction has been created and fostered.
As leaders, we can take away from this that we must not just deliver excellent service but also a joyful and friendly experience. We must create an ethos of enhanced customer satisfaction, building strong relationships, and cultivating a sense of community. As they say, “Frisch’s Big Boy is a place where one meal can make your entire day.” Are you creating that kind of friendly atmosphere?
Being Thankful for Sportsmanship AND We Need More of It
Happy Thanksgiving from the United States. Thanksgiving is an interesting holiday in that other countries also celebrate Thanksgiving on other days and in different ways. I love that Brazil, for example celebrates Dia de Ação de Graças (Day of Thanksgiving) on the same day as us. It is not an official holiday like ours, but celebrated by many Brazilians nonetheless. Joaquim Nabuco, who was Brazil’s ambassador to the United States in the 1940s was so impressed with Thanksgiving in the United States that he proposed celebrating Dia de Ação de Graças in Brazil.
One of our traditions here in the U.S. is watching football on Thanksgiving. As I was reflecting on Thanksgiving this morning I was reminded of something Knute Rockne wrote: “Sportsmanship is simply a corollary of the Golden Rule. You want to play your best; hence, you take no advantage that will prevent the other fellow from doing the same. You respect him, as you want him to respect you.” Today I am thankful for all those who practice value, practice, and model sportsmanship. We need even more to do so.
In that same piece, Rockne also wrote, “…what the world most needs today is a spirit of sportsmanship among nations…The world needs sportsmanship. The rules of fair play and clean play must be read into international politics and economic relations, if universal peace is to come and to stay.” Whether it is sportsmanship or the Golden Rule, I would agree that we, still today, need more of it in the world today.
As Calvin Coolidge said of Rockne, “Right living and right thinking went into his victories.” I, for one, am thankful that we have Knute Rockne’s example to follow. My Thanksgiving wish is for us all to be more sportsmanlike.
Leading With Humility
I am really loving the Father Brown Stories by G.K. Chesterton. I’m only about a quarter of the way through the book, but my favorite story so far is in Chapter 9, “The Hammer of God.” At one point in the story, Father Brown asserts, “Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.” I had seen that quote from Chesterton before, but now in the context of the story it was powerful metaphor.
We have to be very careful of letting our pride take us to high and mighty places where others begin to appear small to us. Chesterton went on to say in that story, “But he saw all men walking about like insects.” We need to be careful to not let ourselves get too comfortable on the peak and looking down on others. Think of how beautiful the view looking up at the mountain with others around us is.
I am reminded of Drybar’s seventh core value: “7. Nothing is sexier than honesty and humility!” I wrote about this in Becoming Humble. Learning from and with others, asking questions, and asking for help are hallmarks of an effective and humble leader.
Conveying More Than Literal Meaning
I have always stressed that language matters. It matters a lot! I love that G.K. Chesterton, through the character of Father Brown in the Father Brown Stories, explored themes of human nature, morality, and the importance of understanding others. Chesterton’s stories emphasize that sometimes the true understanding of a mystery or a person’s motives requires insight into their character and the use of common sense, rather than superficial judgments.
In Chapter 5 – The Invisible Man, Father Brown said, “Have you ever noticed this—that people never answer what you say? They answer what you mean—or what they think you mean.” He then went on to give this example: “Suppose one lady says to another in a country house, ‘Is anybody staying with you?’ the lady doesn’t answer ‘Yes; the butler, the three footmen, the parlourmaid, and so on,’ though the parlourmaid may be in the room, or the butler behind her chair. She says ‘There is nobody staying with us,’ meaning nobody of the sort you mean. But suppose a doctor inquiring into an epidemic asks, ‘Who is staying in the house?’ then the lady will remember the butler, the parlourmaid, and the rest.” This highlighted a common human tendency we have to focus more on interpreting the underlying meaning or intent behind what someone says rather than merely responding to the literal words.
Chesterton went on to tell us in the story that, “All language is used like that; you never get a question answered literally, even when you get it answered truly.” Chesterton was pointing out that people often listen for the implied message, assumptions, or emotions beneath the surface, rather than taking questions at their face value.
This observation encourages us to be more aware of the nuances in communication—recognizing that conversations are frequently about understanding intentions and context, not just the explicit words spoken. It also reminds us to be mindful of how our own words might be interpreted, intentionally or unintentionally conveying more than their literal meaning. Again, language matters!
Being Thankful for Leaders and Followers
One of the things I love doing in my portfolio of services is mentoring 126 first through fourth grade high ability students for Hamilton Heights Elementary School. I love doing this because it keeps me in a teaching mode with students. As a person who coaches/mentors teachers it is important for me to stay connected facilitating learning for students. Another thing I love is the inspiration that comes from working with these students. Yesterday, while working with third graders we were discussing being thankful, and gratitude. I had them reflect on what they were thankful and grateful for.
One young man in the third grade class said he was thankful for leaders and was also thankful for followers. I was blown away. This was a third grader discussing leaders and followers. How cool is that? I asked him to explain. He told the group that leaders inspire and followers support. Pretty impressive right? Most adults don’t fully understand the importance of the leader-follower relationship.
Make no mistake, I believe everyone is a leader, but we also have to fill the follower role. Both followers and leaders are important because each plays a vital role in creating a positive and productive environment. Leaders inspire, guide, and set the direction, while followers support, provide feedback, and help implement the vision. When we appreciate both, we foster mutual respect, collaboration, and a sense of shared purpose. This gratitude encourages teamwork, strengthens relationships, and helps everyone feel valued, which ultimately leads to greater success and growth for the entire group.
This all reminded me of a discussion we had in a leadership program at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School during by Scholar in Residence program with the C. S. Lewis Foundation at The Kilns. Our professor stressed that an organization’s success relies on “followership.” Followers are many times underrepresented in leadership frameworks. The relationship between leader and follower is an important part of the organization’s culture.
When an environment is created for everyone to be a leader, followers are simultaneously leaders with the capacity for independent and critical thinking. My Oxford friends stressed that there are five distinct styles of followers:
- Effective follower
- Conformist
- Passive follower
- Alienated follower
- Pragmatic survivor
Being an effective follower involves continuous learning and growth. These are key to improving our contributions and staying aligned with our team’s evolving needs. Combine this with respect and collaboration by maintaining a positive attitude, valuing others’ perspectives, and working together toward shared goals. Embracing these qualities fosters a productive, respectful, and successful environment for everyone.
Byron's Babbles 
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