Leadership below the Radar

Mick Daly (Elder, Purpose Leader: Leader Development)
July/August 2007

Ten years ago on August 30^th, Diana Princess of Wales died tragically in Paris. The world mourned the loss – she was glamorous and idolized (mostly for the wrong reasons), yet is still admired for her compassion and her commitment to making a difference in the world, especially amongst the forgotten in society.

Just days afterwards Mother Theresa died, to much less mourning and little fanfare; I am sure this would have been her wish! Both women were famous and admirable in different, yet similar ways. By our definition they were both servant leaders.

On June 14th another woman of faith died – Ruth Graham Bell. Best known as Billy Graham’s wife, she was a true leader of the servant variety, demonstrating “leadership below the radar”.

Articles in WORLD magazine gave some remarkable insights which I am honored to share here; the full articles are well worth reading at www.worldmag.com/articles/13094.

At her funeral the Grahams' pastor, Richard White, warned: "If you leave here today thinking Ruth Graham was a great woman, then you will have missed the main point of her life. Ruth Graham knew herself to be a sinner who needed the grace of a great God." Now that’s interesting! How many ‘leaders’ want to be recognized as ‘great’?

Apparently Mrs. Graham had a serious aversion to riding with her husband in the lead car in any big event. "He was often driven in limousines, especially in other countries," one associate recalled, "usually accompanied by a church leader or two, an aide or two, and sometimes a state official. Ruth insisted on riding in the bus or van with the rest of the party. She didn't want to take up space in the car that could be used by a national leader or other VIP. Ruth enjoyed being with us common people." She sounds like someone who led from the middle.

An anecdote from Stephen Griffith, a book editor who worked with Ruth Graham for more than 20 years, reveals more: “Her often hilarious take on life was never at the expense of someone else. Her humor was self-deprecating and according to her, the material was endless. Putting the car in forward instead of reverse and careening off a cliff into a tree would be something many of us would rather not be circulated. It was a story she delighted in and she insisted we tell in several books. In fact, today if you look down the cliff in front of the Graham house, you will see a stop sign attached to a tree at the bottom of the hill.”  Humorous humility – an excellent gift in a leader!

Griffith continues: “Also Christ-like was her compassion. She would give someone the dress off her back. In fact, she did. Once an African pastor at a world evangelism conference felt he could not return home without something for his wife. Ruth, hearing the distress in his voice, found something to change into and gave him the dress she was wearing to give to his spouse. “ Compassion is another great attribute of leadership.

Griffith again: “Ruth was the most well-read person I've ever met. Her knowledge was vast—biblical knowledge, Puritan writings, current non-fiction, and some popular fiction … Although I tried hard to keep up with her reading, I never had her unique alchemy of turning knowledge into wisdom.” True leaders never stop learning.

Finally “When I study the attributes and character of Jesus, it is Ruth that illustrates His love, faith, meekness, compassion, forgiveness, peace, gentleness, and goodness.” A leader who leads like Jesus.

Behind every successful male leader there is a wonderful woman who leads below the radar, often invisible except to those closest to them. I think of many women such as Rebecca Self and Jenny, my wife. However, but comparisons of Doug to Billy Graham and myself to Doug would be ‘odious’ (!); still, I hope you get the point.

Servant Leaders like Ruth Graham Bell need no recognition; indeed, because of their lack of ‘fame’, they may be far more effective in influencing people from below the radar.

Would that we could all lead that way!

More next month ...                                        ~ Leadership ~