requires different roles at different times. Count It All Joy, the title
of his autobiography, is the phrase that captures his spirit. These
men of high capacity saw the larger picture, and when Billy Gra-
ham spoke of his dreams, the dreams were theirs as well. Strong
team members have strong egos, and playing second fiddle can
feel unnatural. But team players know the greatest glory is the
entire team’s victory.
It helped that Billy’s team knew beyond the shadow of a doubt
that he was not in it for his own glory. They sensed his humility,
and they also understood the price he paid for playing his role on
the team day after day, year after year. At times Grady would have
to step in for Billy at the last minute to preach or hold a press con-
ference. Knowing how the press could spin anything, and how the
slightest misstep could wound Billy’s ministry, Grady felt the pres-
sure. Once, after standing in for him, he told Billy, “I never real-
ized what you go through night after night, standing before large
crowds in these great auditoriums and stadiums. I’m a nervous and
physical wreck after each time I’ve had to substitute for you.”
Billy had many opportunities to meet with the powerful and
to walk with royalty. But leadership always comes with a price. A
team understands that each player contributes, each has burdens
to bear and challenges to confront, and each must follow.
Dwight Eisenhower knew how to follow George C. Marshall
and President Franklin Roosevelt; in contrast, Douglas MacArthur
found it very difficult to follow anyone, and eventually President
Truman had to fire him. Even U.S. presidents must relate up as
well as down in that they must listen to the people as the ulti-
mate authority.
Billy found the balance, both leading and following. For
instance, at a CTI (Christianity Today International) board meet-
ing, in responding to a suggestion, he commented, “I don’t think
my board would allow me to do that.” He led his board, and the
trustees looked to him for leadership. He deferred to them, for “in
the multitude of counselors there is wisdom.” He sought account-
ability as protection, as a source of wisdom, as creating clear para-
meters for decision making.
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham