by Gerry Wakeland

The world needs radical leadership, right now, today!

But what is radical leadership? If asked, I would respond, “Radical leadership is leadership that is way out, far out, out of the box.” Of course those catch phrases date me, but you get my drift.

What is radical leadership, really? By definition, radical means extreme. That’s much easier to understand, or is it?

As I prepare for the year that lies ahead, I have been thinking about leadership. After all, this is my responsibility as the leader of the CLASS organization. I have concluded that radical leadership is transformational leadership, leading to change lives. Changing lives is about as extreme as you can get, if you ask me.

Radical leadership is not new. Was it not radical when Oswald Chambers suggested that we abandon ourselves to Christ? But what does radical leadership look like? A radical leader is one who:

• Relies on God, not the world, for direction
• Is willing to take risks
• Puts people first
• Doesn’t take the easy road
• Gives their all

This is all good, but what does a radical leader really look like?  Let me share a few examples.

• A radical leader makes time to spend with the Father, listening and then following His guidance even when others question the direction she is heading.
• A radical leader speaks truth in love and then acts on that truth knowing there will be consequences.
• A radical leader serves those around him equally, no matter their position or past.

• A radical leader carries the burden for us all, whether it’s the challenges of ministry or personal lives, or a cross.
• A radical leader is willing to vote with his life for his purpose.

These are the teachings of Jesus Christ, the most radical leader of all time, who gave His life so that we may live forever. They have but one purpose, to change lives for the better, no for the best!

Are you ready and willing to do what it takes to follow in His footsteps to become a radical leader?

At CLASS we take this very seriously and we strive to practice radical leadership – transformational leadership – knowing that if we want to communicate to transform lives, we must first experience transformation ourselves.

My prayer is that we all model radical leadership for the entire world to see, because right now our world needs more radical leaders!