I came to leadership reluctantly. In fact, I have never thought of myself as a "leader." Yet for the past 10 years, I have found myself in various positions of leadership, first as provost and now as a college president. I've had to learn about leadership as I go. My thoughts on the topic, then, are very much lessons of the road.

Community

I've observed that the call to leadership is often closely linked to particular communities and particular tasks. It does not just come to people who think of themselves as leaders, or to those who have taken classes in "leadership training." Each of us should be prepared for moments when the needs of our communities invite us to consider stepping into leadership roles for certain seasons.

Leadership is never about us, or at least it is never only about us. It is about being willing to step up and serve when our communities' needs intersect with our own abilities and gifts. God may call some people to be leaders and to think of themselves as such. But Scripture ...