E46: From Chaos to Clarity: A Biblical Approach to Leadership with Gary Harpst

As leaders, it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed and lose your way during challenging times. Join today’s discussion as Eric Scovill continues the conversation with Gary Harpst of LeadFirst. Gary encourages leaders to view challenges with people as part of the job, and outlines a simple process for building unity in your team that actually works. Learn how to diagnose issues, get employees back on track, and view problems as opportunities. 

Here are some topics from today’s discussion:

• Defining the four parts of human architecture
• Diagnosing problems at the heart, mind, imagination and action levels
• Embracing chaos as God-ordained and our purpose to bring order
• Caring for people to build trust and shared purpose

Episode Highlights:

[02:57] A Biblical Framework for Diagnosing Team Issues

Gary outlines a biblical framework for understanding human nature and how it can help leaders diagnose problems within a team. He explains that Scripture depicts human architecture as consisting of four main components: the heart, mind, imagination, and actions.

The heart represents our deepest desires and purposes. The mind is where we use reason and principles to form ideas. The imagination then takes those ideas and makes them more tangible or visible. Finally, our actions flow out of what we imagine.

Gary says that when a team member is struggling or not fitting in well, a leader should consider which of these four areas may be the root issue - is it a heart/purpose problem, a mental reasoning problem, a lack of clear vision/imagination, or a disconnect between imagined goals and actions? Understanding this human architecture provides a starting point for diagnosis that addresses the real problem, not just surface symptoms.

[07:40] The Power of Casting the Vision

It’s important that leaders clearly articulate a shared vision for the organization. By explaining the vision in a way that engages both the mind and imagination, a leader can use their own imagination to bring the envisioned goals to life in a compelling manner. This process of casting the vision draws people into adopting the same purpose and direction, effectively motivating the team towards unified goals.

[22:31] The Messy Reality of Leadership

Gary uses a farming analogy to illustrate that dealing with difficulties is an inevitable part of leading people. While machines are predictable, organizations consist of humans with complex lives outside of work. Gary encourages leaders to accept that relational problems and "piles of crap" will arise, as handling challenges with employees is as much a job responsibility as dealing with manure is for cattle farmers.

[27:23] The Bond of Love

While physical objects are held together by electrons, an organization is comprised of human beings whose connection is formed by caring for one another through love. Gary states that authentic care, concern and love for each other as fellow image-bearers of God is what truly unites people and allows them to work well as a cohesive team.

Resources Mentioned:

LeadFirst

Built to Beat Chaos: Biblical Wisdom for Leading Yourself and Others