LEADERSHIP
LESSONS | Love
Applying the Principles
So what more can be said about applying this principle? Not
much. When we consider Billy’s love toward Debbie, Cliff, Jim,
and the poor of Appalachia—and his colleagues’ frequent asser-
tions that it was Billy’s spirit of love that bonded them to him and
radiated out to others—we understand how essential love was to
his leadership.
Yet what about us? Can we—should we—apply this to our
own leadership? The implications may feel overwhelming. Lead-
ers must get things done. Communities and organizations are
massively needy, and unless we’re chaplains, we can’t spend all
our time lifting the broken and encouraging the stricken. Besides,
some employees need to be fired, competition must be faced
head-on, deadlines met. Stretching ourselves beyond our limits
benefits no one.
Those realities will always be with us, and a wealth of leader-
ship and biographical resources can help us meet our obligations.
Yet this dynamic of love in leadership intrigues. Wherever we
might be on the spiritual spectrum, we may well profit by con-
sidering this compelling phenomenon shown in the Graham
team.
With all the pressures and urgencies thrust upon him, Billy
knew that leading with love was beyond his human capacities.
But that was the point. He could in weakness become a conduit
for a greater force.
How did he become a conduit? By regularly opening himself
to that greater force of love. “Every day the Psalms give me
strength for the day and a realization of the power of God’s love,”
Billy has said. “His love has seen me through sickness, discour-
agement, and frustration. His love has sustained me during times
of disappointment and bewilderment.”
“God is love,” says the Bible. “And I have come that you might
have joy.” The fruit of the Spirit, say the Scriptures, are “love, joy,
Leading with Love