The eCrozier

Watching what is happening in Wisconsin right now is instructive on many levels, but for me it is a good case study in leadership. Governor Scott Walker has precipitated a showdown with his proposal to reduce the state deficit. He wants state teachers and some other state employees to take salary cuts, health care benefit reductions, as well as end their collective bargaining rights (some state employees, such as police and firefighters get to keep their collective bargaining rights under this proposal).

Governor Walker says he is taking a principled stand and will not compromise on his proposal. The state employees responded by agreeing to the salary and benefit cuts proposed by the Governor, but so far they have refused to give up their collective bargaining rights. They claim those rights are fundamental to all workers. They will accept salary and benefit reductions to help cut the budget deficit, but they will not give up their collective bargaining rights. They, too, are taking a principled stand.

So, there are two parties in Wisconsin standing on principle with neither side, it seems, willing to budge from their position. I’m not interested here in the merits or demerits of the particular positions, although I do find it odd that the Governor isn’t asking the police and firefighters to give up their collective bargaining rights. Those groups endorsed him in his election while others, like the teacher’s union, did not. It seems to me that a principled stand would have to consistently include all state employees and not just those who did not endorse him.

I’m interested rather in how we exercise leadership when opposing sides both claim they are standing on principle. This often happens in our church life, both parochially and beyond. So what might be the qualities of good leadership in such situations?

1. Empathy. This is the ability to place ourselves in another’s context and to try to see and feel things from his/her perspective. If we’re standing on principle then the stakes are raised. Empathy alone doesn’t solve anything, but it does humanize everyone involved and that may create space for a way forward.
2. Humility. It’s the virtue that reminds us that even when we’re standing on principle we’re never completely pure in our motives or actions because as sinful human beings we’re inherently incapable of such purity. Humility will keep us honest about ourselves as we make choices in a conflict.
3. Perspective. This is about understanding the larger context, history, and possibilities. It helps us avoid rushing too quickly into problem solving or seeking a quick fix to a conflict. It helps us lower our own anxiety and it invites others into sharing the same stance, even though they’re on an opposing side.

None of the three above qualities offers solutions, techniques, or strategies to getting one’s way or prevailing in a conflict. In truth, trying to prevail is counter-productive to this type of leadership stance. Still, I believe the above qualities help us maintain the greatest Christian integrity.

+Scott