HELLO!

When I was a 17 year old first year student at the University of King’s College Foundation Year Program I learned an important lesson about accountability. Each weekday morning 100 students would listen to a profound lecture on the classic works of western civilization (the critique offered then, and later corrected, was these works tended to be all written by men, many old white men). I found the professors memorizing. I took notes and remembered much of what was said. Later, in the afternoon, smaller groups of students would gather in a residence room, and be guided in a tutorial, usually led by a Classics graduate student. Ken was our tutor. Every week there were two or three books to read. I had been used to high school, where you could “binge” study at the last minute. Here, I was falling behind, I did not have the study habits I have developed in graduate school. After one session, where it was obvious I had not read the book, I waited until the students had left and complained bitterly to the tutor about what I called “the bias given to students who lived in residence” (I lived off campus). Ken listened patiently, then calmly pointed out, everyone had the same materials and time to accomplish our work. He was right. Still, from an optics perspective, there was a “chumminess” to how students in residence had access and familiarity to the tutors, who also lived on campus.

Over the years, as a minister, as paid staff for a non-profit, as a volunteer, as a Board member, I have heard those who felt “on the outside” complain they are invisible. There is some merit to this, institutions are guilty of listening to familiar voices. But sometimes, it is easier to complain than offer to be involved yourself. I have witnessed many who would say, “things need to be better, YOU people need to listen to us!”. When I would ask, “what is it you would like us to change?”, the specifics were vague and when I asked if they would be willing to serve on these committees, the answer was no.

Another story. In a previous church I was leaving for home when a saw a number of cars parked outside, parents with their daughters. It was Sparks-Brownies-Guides night. When I left the church hall, the leaders, all very tired from their day jobs, were getting ready. I stopped to speak to the parents in the cars. All complained about the programming being offered. I asked, “so…would you like to be a leader?” No one said yes.

Those of us in leadership need to know how optics and preferential listening play a part in how others perceive the influence of their voices. Often, we seek new leaders who are familiar to us and pass over new faces. It is very important for all institutions to listen and recruit.

And…in the Book of Acts, they cast lots. Should we try that? Peace, Kevin