CHAPTER 21
Leading with Love
Whom you would change,
you must first love.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.Our first interview for this book was with John Corts, a key
employee of Billy’s organization for thirty-five years, ten of them
as its president. After a dinner conversation that ranged over the
decades, we asked, “John, what would you say is the bottom line
distinctive of Billy’s leadership?”
John paused a long while. Finally he said, emphatically, “Love.
The difference between him and so many other leaders is that
whatever the circumstances, Billy always led with love.”
As we continued interviewing and researching, John’s asser-
tion has been confirmed throughout the process. Billy led with
love.
Yet some would ask: What’s love got to do with it? Aren’t the
essential requirements of leadership to be results oriented and to
personify authenticity and employ a variety of techniques and
emphases?
Not according to Hudson Armerding, former president of
Wheaton College. In his book on leadership he says, “When the
characteristics of leaders are enumerated, love is not usually
included. Yet this quality is central.”
Billy Graham often quoted the Bible’s familiar words, “For God
so loved the world that he gave his only Son,” as well as Scripture’s
profound assertion, “God is love.” Yet how did this belief permeate