A Weekly Leadership Memo from
The Reverend Canon Durrell Watkins, M.A., M.Div.
May 13, 2008
“For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with the simplicity and sincerity of God…” — St. Paul (2 Corinthians 1.12)
Honesty. Transparency. Integrity. Goodwill. Direct dealing. Fair play. These are words that need to be not only in the vocabulary of every leader, but in the heart of every leader. We know that we are “as sick as our secrets”. So, as leaders, we learn to tell the truth, to honor our shared processes, and support the shared vision above any personal agendas. The work, frankly, is sometimes difficult; and the rewards show up a bit slower than we would like. But by committing to honesty, transparency, integrity, goodwill, direct dealing, and fair play, we find we enjoy the work more! We trust the process more! We feel better about what we are doing, and when the rewards do come, we enjoy them more because we know we deserve them.
As a leader, St. Paul tells his community, “our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with the simplicity and sincerity of God…” Simplicity, sincerity, conscience — those words fit with goodwill, integrity, honesty, etc. By simply supporting the shared vision, the common goal, and by giving our best and being honest, sincere, and fair in all our dealings, we will be certain of not only accomplishing our noble desires, but of feeling good about how we achieved our accomplishments together.
Let’s always work together, in joy, so that “the testimony of our conscience [will be] that we have conducted ourselves… with the simplicity and sincerity of God.” That’s how we will continue “sharing the light with the world!” Thank you for your best efforts and your best wishes as we move forward together.
Durrell+
© Durrell Watkins, Sunshine Cathedral, 2008
The Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its rays… [Malachi 4.2]