Lead Like a Saint

 

Issue No. 675 of Your Weekly Staff Meeting (March 17, 2026) wishes you a Happy Saint Patrick's Day—but wait! Was Patrick really a saint? Carson Pue, with Irish blood and wisdom, weighs in. Plus, click here for recent issues posted at the new location for John Pearson’s Buckets Blog, including my recent review of Storytelling for Leadership & Influence, by Jeff Evans. Also, check out the 20 management buckets (core competencies) and more book reviews at the Pails in Comparison Blog. Asking for a friend: Does Carson Pue’s book, Lead Like a Saint (about Saint Patrick), recommend raising a glass (I mean…a Shamrock Shake) to leaders everywhere—including on the Chicago River today?   “Going Irish” on the Annoying Passenger! Oops! Carson Pue was on a cross-country flight with work to be done—but the guy across the aisle continued to pester him with questions—and simultaneously annoy other passengers. “Argh…I was on the verge of telling him (in a not-so-nice manner) to leave me alone.”  He resolved this dilemma creatively—offered grace (see Chapter 12)—but then this: “When the plane landed and we were leaving the aircraft, a man and his wife approached me, saying they had recognized me from a leadership conference I had spoken at. They had watched how I had handled the difficult situation and thanked me for showing leadership and practicing what I taught.” Carson’s reflection: “Oh, my gosh! They were watching me, and I had no idea. I was so close to not modelling a good response and going Irish on the guy.” That’s the big idea from Chapter 12 of this inspiring and immensely practical book of 15 leadership lessons, including how to know when you should move on.   Lead Like a Saint: Lessons and Values from the Life of Saint Patrick  by Carson Pue (Jan. 15, 2025) TRUE OR FALSE: A Saint Patrick’s Day Quiz! Whether you’re wearing green today, or celebrating with Irish friends on the Chicago River, raising a glass or a Shamrock Shake to all-things-Ireland, here’s a quick quiz for your office or family party this evening: [   ] #1. TRUE OR FALSE? Saint? Summoning his Irish roots, leadership guru Carson Pue takes us on a remarkable journey through Ireland with Saint Patrick in Lead Like a Saint. But…the Catholic Church never officially recognized Patrick as a saint. [   ] #2. TRUE OR FALSE? Holiday? The author and his wife “would pull our sons, Jason, Jeremy, and Jonathan, out of school on March 17th. I wrote to their teachers explaining they would be absent as it was a religious holiday for our family. That was my way of making religious pluralism in Canada work for us.”  [   ] #3. T or F? Strategy? In Lesson 7, “Be a Good Strategist or Get One,” the author notes that “Patrick didn’t have models to emulate his new missionary approach, but he has become a role model for many. During his time as bishop, he introduced a completely new approach to Christian missionary work.” And this: “Leadership research by the American Management Association has shown that the most important competency for a leader to possess is the ability to develop strategy.” [   ] #4. T or F? Big Deal? Pue mentions the Will Ferrell line in the movie, Anchorman, “I’m kind of a big deal”—and reminds us in Lesson 10, “Never Believe Your Own Press Releases.” Fascinating: Carson then bounces from Saint Patrick’s values (hungry, humble, and intelligent) to similar values by another Patrick: Patrick Lencioni and his book, The Ideal Team Player. [Read more about the three values: humble, hungry, and smart.] [   ] #5. T or F? Quiet? “Use Times of Quiet to Hear” is the message in Lesson 11—and you’ll be prompted to go deep; to look in the mirror. Think you’re on the mountain top in your work or career? Stop and listen. This reminded me of Leighton Ford’s foreword to Ruth Haley Barton’s book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. And wow—Leighton Ford also writes the foreword to Carson Pue’s book, and notes that Lead Like a Saint "is not just another book on leadership; it is a transformative guide that allows leaders to see Patrick as a mentor.” [For more on listening, read Leighton Ford’s masterpiece, A Life of Listening.] [   ] #6. T or F? Stupid? Carson Pue’s family “affectionately dubbed” his 15-year project of writing this book, “The Stupid Patrick Book.” [   ] #7. T or F? A What? The author, who also co-hosts The Mentored Podcast, coaches leaders to ask questions and then listen—don’t talk (see Lesson 11). He urged one leader to “Have a glass of water near you and take a long sip while you wait for them to respond.” He requires his mentees to actually practice this with him! [   ] #8. T or F? Courage? Must-read: Chapter 8, “Never Go Where Angels Fear to Tread.” The author explains why—and gives a stunning example from the years he lead Arrow Leadership—and why he says “courage is overrated.” [   ] #9. T or F? Competitors? Each chapter includes takeaways and questions you’ll use with your team. In Chapter 4, we learn how Patrick learned the lay of the land—and why that’s an essential discipline for leaders. Mentoring Question #1: “Consider holding a staff meeting called ‘Lay of the Land’ and ask each of them to come prepared to make a brief three- to five-minute presentation on something they have observed about the field of business you are in and who they think is competing for your client’s time and dollars.” (Bonus question: “How do you think your competitors view you?”) [   ] #10. T or F? Singing? Patrick and his team “…were known to sing as they traveled from one village to another, and The Lorica is one of the songs that survived from this time, helping to calm fears of spiritual or physical harm.” When Carson was on a writing retreat for this book, his morning alarm played Gayle Salmond’s rendition of The Lorica. Other versions here. [Question: Does your team have a favorite “whistle while you work” song or hymn?] [   ] #11. T or F? Pouting? Carson Pue lists 12 “guiding values” in the last half of the book, including these:    • Prophetic Instead of Popular    • Timeless Instead of Trendy    • Quiet Instead of Attention-Seeking    • Prayerful Instead of Pouting    • Inviting Instead of Isolating Listen to the podcast, “Being a Non-Anxious Presence,” and/or read Chapter 13 in Steve Brown’s book, Finding Courage. [Note: for more on values, read Patrick Lencioni’s HBR article, “Make Your Values Mean Something.”] TRUE OR FALSE ANSWERS:  Read the book or email me—or call the author! (You’ll love this book.) TO ORDER FROM AMAZON, click on the title for Lead Like a Saint: Lessons and Values from the Life of Saint Patrick, by Carson Pue. YOUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETING QUESTIONS: 1) Lead Like a Saint is one of 12 “inspirational” books I’m reading this year. (See my list here and read my review of Finding Courage.) What books (note: plural!) are you reading this year to become a more competent and God-honoring leader? 2) In Lesson 13 of  Lead Like a Saint, “Remember You Have Your Own Shortcomings,” Carson Pue writes that “Leaders should also strive to create an environment in which people feel safe and comfortable enough to share their innermost thoughts without fear of being judged or having those thoughts exploited.” BUT…he adds, “Sadly, there are not a lot of executive leadership teams that create such an environment.” He lists five main reason. Question: Share one or two reasons why teams often don’t enjoy “safe and comfortable” environments.       SECOND READS: Fresh Solutions From Classic Books You have changed—and your problems have changed—since you read this the first time! Book #43 of 99: Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works For your team meeting this week, inspire a team member to lead your “10 Minutes for Lifelong Learning” session by featuring Book #43 of 99 in our series, “Second Reads.” The big idea: REREAD TO LEAD! Discover how your favorite books still have more to teach you and the people you’re coaching and mentoring. Playing to Win:  How Strategy Really Works  by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin (updated: 9/30/2025) For many years, when I facilitated workshops on strategic planning, I brought along a roll of Bounty paper towels—and this book by Prof. Martin and A.G. Lafley, the former CEO of P&G. It’s fascinating! (See also my review of Martin’s book, A New Way to Think.) Based on consumer research, Bounty discerned there were three market segments, not just one. So at stores across North America today, you’ll find at least three choices: Bounty, Bounty Extra Soft, and Bounty Basic.    • Read my review in Issue No. 334 (Dec. 3, 2015).    • Order from Amazon.    • Management Bucket #3 of 20: The Strategy Bucket. The big idea? One size doesn’t fit all. You already knew that, but when is the last time you did a careful, detailed analysis of every program, product, or service you offer? Have you hit a sales plateau? Are you forcing one program down the throats of three or more very diverse customer segments? (Memo to nonprofit CEOs and fundraisers! Stop sending me mail and emails thanking me for my faithful support—if I’ve never given you any money. Start with two segments: current donors and non-donors. For more insight, read the book, Development 101.)    CLICK HERE FOR BOOKS BY JOHN      Peter Drucker famously preached, “If you have more than five goals, you have none.” That’s just one of the takeaways in the 13-page section of the Strategy Bucket chapter in the Mastering the Management Buckets Workbook. See page 43 for a “Rolling 3-Year Strategic Plan” template, with thanks to consultant David Schmidt. MORE RESOURCES: • BLOG: Pails in Comparison • SUBSCRIBE: Your Weekly Staff Meeting eNews • JOHN'S BOOK REVIEWS: on Amazon  • WEBSITE:  Management Buckets • BLOG: Governance of Christ-Centered Organizations IMPORTANT NOTICE! Effective Oct. 1, 2025, all 657 eNews issues, previously archived on Typepad.com are slowly (!) being moved to a new website here. New book reviews will also be archived at John Pearson’s Buckets Blog. Or, click here for John’s recent book reviews on Amazon. Does Your CEO Need a Coach? BOARD BLOG. John Pearson (and guest bloggers) address key issues at ECFA’s Governance of Christ-Centered Organizations Blog. Example: Boards must inspire even new CEOs to begin succession planning in their first year on the job. Read the 11-part blog series on succession planning, including: “Does Your CEO Need a Coach?” According to Soderquist Leadership, “92% of executives who received coaching said they would be willing to be coached again.” POP QUIZ:  “Cliché Swap-Out” Try this with your team! After our new intern, gives us a 10-minute summary of Chapter 6 in the book, Speak, Memorably, your assignment is to rewrite 10 clichés, with a new-and-improved “Cliché Swap-Out” phrase. You’ll learn that the author, Bill McGowan, hates clichés with a passion. (Is that a cliché?) And yes, Helena has 10 Starbucks cards for the winners. Visit here. See more staff hoopla! ideas at the Pails in Comparison blog.

A Life of Listening

 

Issue No. 435 of Your Weekly Staff Meeting (April 22, 2020) suggests you leverage the slower pace during COVID-19 to discern God’s voice in the stillness. Leighton Ford, now 88, shares his transparent journey. Perfect timing! And this reminder: click here to download free resources from the 20 management buckets (core competencies).   The Cosmic Loom “Lord, what book should I read and review next?” is my on-going prayer. Many times I sense the Holy Spirit’s nudge about a specific book. So perhaps for you also—while hunkered down during this COVID-19 crisis—it may be God’s timing for us to read Leighton Ford’s masterful memoir of his very personal journey, A Life of Listening: Discerning God's Voice and Discovering Our Own. When Leighton Ford reflects on calling and vocation, he notes that “we spend the first part of our lives finding a role—professional or parent, executive or explorer, solider or artist.” But then (quoting Thomas Keating), “the paradox is that we can never fully fulfill our role until we are ready to let it go.” So who is Leighton Ford? One global title is noteworthy: Honorary Lifetime Executive Chair of the Lausanne Movement. But is he a preacher, or a proclaimer, or a prophet, or a painter, or a poet? Yes—all of the above. He’s also a listener. And his life has impacted mine across the years. I’m so grateful. Coaching a young leader—early thirties—who was second-guessing his pastoral call, Leighton encouraged him. “Remember God is an artist. He doesn’t do copies. He does originals. And if you are called here, God will do something new through you.” Thus, at age 88, when asked to declare his mission statement, Leighton Ford now says “To be an artist of the soul. And a friend on the journey.” What’s your mission statement—and has it changed over the decades? But let me back up a bit—with a LOL story that will provide some context. At age 14 (because he was tall!), Leighton was named the president of his local Youth for Christ club in Ontario, Canada. In the late 1940s, Billy Graham—the emerging evangelist—was invited to speak at the YFC rally in Chatham, Leighton’s hometown. So with this God-planned connection—fast forward—Billy Graham tells his sister, Jeanie, about this young Canadian and Leighton and Jeanie meet at Wheaton College and eventually marry. Then, as part of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team, Leighton formed a team to focus on Canada and other parts of the world. Once, when Leighton’s team was conducting a two-week crusade in Nova Scotia, Billy Graham was invited to preach on the final weekend. Billy arrived a day early and sat quietly in the back of the crowd. During the invitation—when seekers would go forward to place their trust in Christ—Billy noticed an older man who perhaps needed encouragement. So Billy “tapped the man on the shoulder, and asked if he wanted to go down and give his life to Christ.” “The old fellow turned, and, not recognizing Billy, who was wearing dark glasses, thought a moment, then said, ‘Nah, I think I’ll wait until the big gun comes tomorrow night!’” So…you’re Billy Graham’s brother-in-law. Life is good. Bed of roses. Opportunities. Acclaim. Success. God’s blessings. (Eh?) Hardly—and maybe you’ve hit a rough patch also along the way. So that’s why now would be the perfect time to listen, to go deep, and to discern God’s voice with the help of an experienced guide, Leighton Ford. Here’s a taste of the guidance: • “As you read my story, perhaps it will stir a remembering of the voices you have heard in your life…” • Following the tragic loss of their 21-year-old son, Sandy: “It’s been said that there are places in our hearts we don’t even know are there until our hearts are broken.” He then discovered: “My preaching was more from the heart, but what I sought was not so much more places to preach as more still places to listen. Silence and solitude, which I had often avoided, became more welcome and compelling.” • The endnotes deliver readings for a graduate course in discernment: Leonard Cohen, Henri Nouwen, N.T. Wright, Mary Oliver, Parker Palmer, Richard Rohr, E. Stanley Jones, Amy Carmichael, Oswald Chambers, and dozens of others. • On his birth parents and his adoptive parents: “It has also taught me that I cannot be a rescuer in unhealthy ways of those who carry deep wounds from life. To discern the difference calls for a lifetime of listening.” • On recognizing God’s call to launch Arrow Leadership, a ministry to younger leaders: “For some time I had been keeping what I called my GGTW List—Guys and Gals to Watch. These were younger men and women in whom I observed strong potential for leadership.” • In the chapter, “When We Lose Our Way,” he transparently describes his own angst during a devastating conflict: “Motives are misunderstood, and those involved project onto leaders their own needs. Reason shuts down, and emotions rule. We get wrapped in the ‘fog of war.’ The desire for power and control take over. And when those we have trusted let us down, the sense of betrayal is acute.” On a country path walk through farm fields in northern England, Leighton remembered the discerning words from his “spiritual father,” an Anglican bishop, who tenderly said to him, “You just need to find a way to let the pain and hurt go. Hold it loosely even if you can’t fix it.” So Leighton “picked up a stick and drew a line on the dirt.” He stepped across the line and breathed this prayer: “Lord, as best as I can, I let go of the hurt, the resentment, the anger. I don’t know if the breach will ever be repaired. But as much as is in me I leave it behind. Help me to do so.” • He quotes Frederick Buechner: “The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” And Leighton adds, “…where the Spirit’s deepest promptings bring a deepening conviction of being in the right place.” • Looking for a deeper leadership model than the ones many believers adapt from secular models, Leighton notes how Jesus led: “the leadership of a son, a storyteller, a servant, and a shepherd-maker.” (Four S’s: that will preach!) • Noting how E. Stanley Jones pictured a “Cosmic Loom” metaphor emanating from the unshakeable kingdom in Hebrews 12:28, Leighton writes, “As I respond to his calling, I may make mistakes. But he does not. And even my mistakes he can weave into his pattern.” • An editor’s advice to Leighton and Jeanie’s son, Kevin (also an author), on making college decisions—discernment counsel from A.W. Tozer: “When you have to make a decision, concentrate on loving God from your heart. If there are several doors open, some will likely close. Then if more than one is open, go through the door you want to go, and trust God to make it right.” • And this from a Quaker woman when asked how “to discern God’s way in her life.” Her answer: “Way has not often opened before me, but way has often closed behind me.” (Prophetic words during COVID-19?) • Don’t miss Leighton’s exposition on the three-step process for discerning your calling: Observe, Reflect, Act. He notes John Wesley’s encouragement that we should “second the motions of the Holy Spirit.” He quotes Mary Oliver’s instructions for living a life:    --Pay attention    --Be astonished    --Tell about it. • How might God get your attention? Study the great characters of the Bible and reflect on the diversity of attention-getting moments (see Moses, Samuel, Mary, Peter, and others). • Leighton punctuates this powerful memoir with a probing question: “If right now the Lord walked up the back steps to where I am sitting on my porch, I wonder, how might his voice sound?” He answers his own question with 19 bullet-point phrases (arresting insights)—the strongest and most meaningful final two pages of a book I’ve ever read. Stunning. A Life of Listening is rich. I read it slowly and I’m still discerning and discussing the book with my favorite listener—my wife, Joanne. I never aspired to be a Billy Graham or a Leighton Ford (not my calling)—but the book prompted me to think ahead to 2034, when I’m 88 (Lord willing). Will I have been a faithful lifelong learner and listener over the previous 15 years—so I might have something to write home about? Yikes. Or even this, as Leighton notes: Inscribed on Ruth Graham’s memorial plaque at the Billy Graham Library, “Construction complete. Thanks for your patience.” To order from Amazon, click on the title for A Life of Listening: Discerning God's Voice and Discovering Our Own, A Memoir by Leighton Ford. YOUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETING QUESTIONS: 1) In Ruth Haley Barton’s book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (my 2009 book-of-the-year), Leighton Ford’s foreword pulls you into the richness of the text. The 10th anniversary expanded edition (2018), includes a new “afterword” also by Leighton Ford. He writes about the book’s impact: “My own soul responds both with ‘Ouch!’ and ‘Yes!’” Mention a book you’ve read or listened to recently that prompted an “Ouch!” response! 2) “Most of us need some kind of spiritual jolt to start us on the second journey, to make us stop and listen long enough to pay attention to what God is saying to us,” writes Leighton Ford in The Attentive Life: Discerning God's Presence in All Things. Describe a “spiritual jolt” you’ve experienced—and the result.    Bullet Point Your Life! Insights from Mastering the Management Buckets Workbook  One of the big ideas in the Team Bucket is that “…we leverage the unique set of talents and strengths given to each person by God. Thus we serve with more fulfillment and joy.”  Have you ever “bullet pointed” your life’s journey? During this unique COVID-19 period, in addition to reading A Life of Listening, by Leighton Ford (above), select a second book from the list below—and use another person’s journey to reflect on your own journey.  #1. The Joseph Road: Choices That Determine Your Destiny, by Jerry White. The author’s bullet point summary of Joseph’s life is fascinating and so he convinced me to “bullet point” my major life events—to see what I could learn from those forks-in-the-Joseph Road. Jerry illustrates how to do this exercise with bullet points of his own life.   #2. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, by Parker J. Palmer #3. Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson. Warning! You’ll weep as you journey with John Ames, the 76-year-old still-in-the-pulpit Congregational minister in Gilead, Iowa. It’s 1956 and Pastor Ames is journaling a life letter to his seven-year-old son, an extraordinary blessing from his second and younger wife.   #4. Listen to My Life: Maps for Recognizing and Responding to God in My Story, is a unique visual tool that helps you invite God into the process of reviewing your past, assessing your present, and enriching your walk with God into your future. Created by Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing. #5. Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You, by John Ortberg #6. Leading Me: Eight Practices for a Christian Leader's Most Important Assignment, by Steve A. Brown (president of Arrow Leadership) #7. The Prince of Darkness: 50 Years Reporting in Washington, by Robert D. Novak #8. Myself and Other More Important Matters, by Charles Handy #9. Eisenhower 1956: The President’s Year of Crisis—Suez and the Brink of War, by David A. Nichols. After a heart attack in 1955, the “doctors told him to take it easy—and in that we get a humorous picture of Ike. He wrote a friend that he had been ordered ‘to avoid all situations that tend to bring about such reactions as irritation, frustration, anxiety, fear and, above all anger.’ So he had snapped at the doctors, ‘Just what do you think the presidency is?’” #10. Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to the Well-Ordered Way, by Stephen A. Macchia. Note: Click here to download PDFs of three lists from the Book Bucket, including more biographies, autobiographies, and other resources for the journey.                   JASON PEARSON: UNEXPECTED CREATIVE. Your organization is also on a journey. How effectively are you painting your past, your present, and your future? Check out the innovative work from Jason Pearson at Pearpod Media (branding, digital, print, and video). And while in your bunker this month, it’s the perfect time to invest in your family by completing the fun and meaningful journal by Jason Pearson and Doug Fields, THIS. 52 Ways to Share Your World With Those You Love. (Read John’s review here.) Note: This is the NEW location for John Pearson's Buckets Blog. Slowly (!), the previous 650+ blogs posted (between 2006 and 2025) will gradually populate this blogsite, along with new book reviews each month. MORE LESSONS: Effectiveness, Excellence, Elephants! Click here to order More Lessons From the Nonprofit Boardroom, by Dan Busby and John Pearson. Click here to follow the new blog with 40 guest bloggers. Pop Quiz! Click here to take the boardroom pop quiz and then read John's short thoughts on five ways to bless your board: 1) Memo to Self: Shut Up! 2) Help our CEO discern “The ONE Thing.” 3) Don’t make the problem worse. 4) Consult outside wisdom. 5) Delegate!