The True Nature of Leadership 2 with Christopher Swing

Summary

In this episode, Christopher Swing explores the multifaceted nature of leadership, emphasizing that it is more than just a position; it is a responsibility to serve, grow, and inspire others. He discusses the importance of influence in leadership, core leadership qualities, and practical steps to become a better leader, including self-reflection and mentorship. The conversation also touches on the intersection of leadership and faith, highlighting the significance of humility and transparency in effective leadership.

Takeaways

• Leadership is more than a position; it's a responsibility.
• Influence is the essence of leadership.
• Core leadership qualities include integrity, communication, and commitment.
• Creativity and innovation are essential for problem-solving.
• Self-reflection helps identify personal leadership strengths and weaknesses.
• Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional growth.
• Daily habits can significantly improve leadership skills.
• Faith impacts leadership decisions and interactions.
• Transparency is vital but must be balanced with clarity.
• Leadership is a continuous journey of improvement.

Sound Bites

• "You can be a leader."
• "We do what we say we're gonna do."
• "We need to find someone to learn from."

Chapters

00:00 The Essence of Leadership
08:38 Core Leadership Qualities
11:41 Becoming a Better Leader
15:10 Engaging with Leadership Experiences

Faithful - https://faithful.buzzsprout.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571226598690

Please feel free to check out the organizations that support us:

Vantage Surgical Solutions - https://vantage.healthcare/
Vantage Surgical Solutions Careers - https://vantage.healthcare/careers/
Chris Contact Info - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherswing/

And the ones we support:

Missions:
Developing Kids Ghana - https://developingkidsghana.com/
Eastern Dominican Christian Mission - https://easterndominican.org/
Broadway Christian Church - https://broadwaycc.churchcenter.com/home/
57/70 Task Force: https://5770taskforce.org/

Chapters

• 0:00 The Essence of Leadership
• 8:38 Core Leadership Qualities
• 11:41 Becoming a Better Leader
• 15:10 Engaging with Leadership Experiences

Transcript

Christopher Swing (00:00)
Welcome to Faithful, the podcast where we explore the intersection of leadership, faith, and impact. I'm your host, Christopher Swing, president and CEO of Vantage Surgical Solutions. Through thoughtful conversations with business leaders, missionaries, and change makers, we uncover the principles that guide their work and connect them to timeless wisdom. In season one, we're diving into the foundational organizations and experiences that shape my own leadership journey. Whether you're a leader in business,

faith or your community, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical wisdom. Thank you for joining me on this journey of discovering how faith and leadership intersect in meaningful ways. Let's dive into the episode.

Christopher Swing (00:44)
Welcome to Faithful. In this episode, we're gonna explore leadership through the lens of faith, wisdom, and experience. I'm your host, Christopher Swing. And today I wanna talk about some of the most crucial, yet often overlooked elements of leadership. Consistency, servant leadership, resilience, integrity, vision, and courage. These are the foundations that shape lasting influence

and impact.

Chris (01:16)
Faithful is proudly sponsored by Vantage Surgical Solutions, where excellence meets innovation in advanced healthcare solutions. With a foundation built on integrity, creativity, and commitment, Vantage empowers leaders to shape the future, just as we explore leadership through faith on the podcast. Vantage Surgical Solutions, standing for excellence, leading advanced healthcare solutions.

Christopher Swing (01:46)
Let's start with the importance of consistency. Consistency is the bridge between vision and results. It's what turns great ideas into lasting impact. Leaders who are steady, dependable, and unwavering in their values build trust within their teams, organizations, and communities. Proverbs 10, nine reminds us,

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Integrity and consistency go hand in hand. People will follow those who trust and trust is built through steady, principled leadership. You know, I always think about my staff and they both love and hate my insane level of consistency. The benefit that it provides to them is many times they've already asked me a question.

and they know how I answer it. And I answer the same question the same way over and over again. It can be frustrating though, if they want to do something that goes against that standard answer. And the key to it is the people who figure out how to get around that, collect more data and provide a better argument for a different outcome. But in the instance of the exact same information,

I'm gonna make the same decision over and over and over again, frustrating or not. Servant leadership, great leaders serve others rather than seek power.

I mentioned this in the last episode.

where I talked about Jesus modeling this when he washed the disciples feet. And the best place to find that in scripture is John 13, 12 through 17.

The true leadership isn't about authority, it's about responsibility. The best leaders lift others up, empower their teams and ensure their success isn't just personal, but collective. In my opinion,

There's nothing better than enabling one of our coworkers to be successful. I'm just going to read John 13, 12 through 17 for you. says, when he had washed their feet and taken his garments and reclined at the table, he said to them, do you know what I have done to you? You call me teacher and Lord and you are right for so I am. If I then the Lord and teacher washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

servant leadership. There's nothing better than helping someone else to be successful, in my opinion.

Chris (04:43)
Faithful is brought to you by Vantage Surgical Solutions, where we believe in progress through passion. If you're inspired by innovation and excellence in healthcare, we invite you to join our team. At Vantage, we're not just shaping the future of healthcare. We're empowering individuals to make a difference. Visit our careers page to explore opportunities and see if your journey aligns with ours. Vantage Surgical Solutions, where passion meets purpose.

Christopher Swing (05:15)
resilience in leadership.

The road to success isn't without obstacles. And if you have ever read Genesis, especially in Joseph's story, which is Genesis chapter 37 through chapter 50, Joseph shows how faith and resilience transform challenges into opportunities. Whether in business or personal life, resilient leaders rely on their faith to persevere through adversity.

The ability to rise after setbacks defines true leadership. If you're a leader and you haven't had any setbacks, then you better buckle your seatbelt and be ready for anything. I'm sure some leaders careers are always up and to the right, but for the rest of us, there are plenty of trials and tribulations. And the difference between those who are successful and those who aren't are those who are resilient.

Decision making with integrity.

If you have ever read Daniel 1 and Daniel chapter 6, we see that Daniel refuses to compromise his values, even in the face of danger. As leaders, our choices define our character. Making ethical decisions under pressure isn't easy, but it's essential for long-term success and trustworthiness. Every detail, big or small, should align with our values and faith.

At some point, your decision to have integrity will come at a significant cost and everyone around you will watch to determine who you truly are when no one is looking. Don't compromise.

Vision and purpose-driven leadership. Nehemiah's leadership in rebuilding Jerusalem's wall in Nehemiah chapter two, 17 through 20, teaches us that a clear vision fuels action. Leaders need a purpose that guides their decisions, whether in business, ministry, or personal leadership, a compelling vision, one rooted in faith.

keeps us moving forward despite challenges.

Do your team a favor. Cast a clear vision. This will help them make decisions when you're not around or they're in a tight spot.

Courageous leadership. Joshua 1.9 reminds us, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Bold leadership means making difficult decisions, standing firm in convictions and trusting God even when the path isn't clear. Courageous leaders embrace uncertainty with faith. These are the decisions we get paid to make.

Use good judgment and make the best decision with the information you have. Don't be afraid to make decisions and don't be afraid to admit you are wrong if more information becomes available. Correct quickly and keep moving.

So how do we cultivate these leadership traits? I'm gonna give you six takeaways that I think will help you directionally align with these leadership objectives. The first one is set clear values. Know what you stand for and make sure your actions reflect it.

Number two, serve others. Leadership is about lifting others up, not self promotion.

Number three, embrace resilience. Expect challenges and face them with faith.

4. Make decisions with integrity. Even when it's hard, do the right thing. People are watching. 5. Stay focused on your vision. A leader without vision is like a ship without a

Number six, lead with courage. Bold decisions require faith, but they shape the future.

So in closing, consistency, service, resilience, integrity, vision, and courage. These are hallmarks of great leadership. Faithful leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about being steadfast. Thanks for joining me today. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend. Leave a review.

and let's continue the conversation. Connect with me on LinkedIn. Until next time, stay faithful.