How to Lead Like John Lewis

How to Lead Like John Lewis

The Challenge:  If you were lucky enough to see or hear any of John Lewis’ services last week, it was hard not to be moved by the eulogies for the iconic civil rights leader and congressman. Born to sharecropper parents in Floyd, Alabama, the third of ten children, Lewis went on to earn bachelor’s degrees from the Baptist Theological Seminary and Fisk University, as well as joining Martin Luther King in the civil rights movement as one of the “Big Six” leaders who organized the march on Washington.

He held various political offices, culminating in serving seventeen terms in Congress, earning over 50 honorary degrees and many other honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Engaging in “Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble”: During numerous civil rights marches in the 60s, Lewis risked his life by suffering beatings from police, state troopers and angry mobs, as well as arrests and incarceration, the most famous of which occurred on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. He never hesitated to live his values, no matter the cost. Famously, he advocated a life of engaging in “good trouble, necessary trouble.” Lewis described his work as a spiritual practice, calling it “love in action.”

Famous Perseverance: While others in the movement would bring him challenges at the end of a trying day — perhaps even suggesting that they should abandon their plans — Lewis would listen attentively and then respond: “Tomorrow we march.” No matter what the problem, he never gave up or gave in. In Congress, he exhibited similar strengths, pressing endlessly for causes he believed in, including civil rights, gun control and other issues of peace and justice — even if the results were discouraging. Just before his death, he published an Op-Ed in the New York Times affirming that “we can redeem the soul of our nation.”

Civility and Respect: In Congress — throughout a polarized age — Lewis maintained friendships across the political spectrum, treating friend and foe with civility and respect. No matter how much they disagreed with his stance, the other members of the House and Senate were universal in their assessment that he served his country with the utmost conscience and dedication, always treating every one of them with his legendary listening skills and dignity. From a young age, he maintained his own moral compass, no matter the odds.

What Should You Do?

Use the Power of Models: In my book, The Power of a Good Fight, I write about how challenged we can be when sorting out conflict. What helps, I have learned, is looking for models, those who have lived lives we admire through all kinds of battles, while maintaining their own values and using outstanding conflict management skills. John Lewis’ legacy would certainly be one I would recommend. When our own situation seems hopelessly mired in unproductive conflict, we can visualize Lewis marching across challenging divides, through eighty years of challenges, with skill and grit.

Dignity No Matter What: Throughout his leadership, activism and work, Lewis modeled dignity, no matter what those who opposed, argued or even physically attacked him were doing or saying. Respect and civility will always serve you, even in the thick of conflict.

Train Hard: Make sure that you and your staff train hard to prepare for conflict and other challenges. In my work, I frequently point out how little we expect conflict, even though it is likely in our personal and professional lives. Read about managing conflict: Three Steps to Resolve Conflict Quickly!  What’s the Surprising and Most Effective Way to Resolve Conflict at Work?

I knew that Martin Luther King and his followers had trained in non-violent techniques before their marches and sit-ins, but I had no idea of the depth and detail of that training until Lewis died. In addition to understanding the history of non-violent movements by studying Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and other leaders, they studied the world’s great spiritual traditions on non-violence, practiced role-plays of likely scenarios and non-violent communication. These were not one-day events but weeks long and continual training through the movement’s history. For an excellent interview with Lewis on this training, go to the On Being podcast entitled “Love in Action“. The marchers did not go into their protests unprepared.

March On: Whatever our challenge, we can always use Lewis’ model of reminding ourselves and our associates: “Tomorrow we march.” Persistence pays in working through conflict and many other challenges.

What Do You Think?

What do you think? What is your theory about the current anger in our culture? Call or write us at: 303-216-1020 or Lynne@workplacesthatwork.com