Home Outreach Leaders Outreach & Missions Blogs Leadership is Shaking a Hand Too Exuberantly

Leadership is Shaking a Hand Too Exuberantly

By Scott Thomas, President of Acts 29 Network

Jim Harbaugh, the first year coach of the San Francisco 49’ers created some controversy when his team beat the previously unbeaten Detroit Lions and excitedly shook the hand of the opposing coach, Jim Schwartz “too hard.” Schwartz ran after him offended at Harbaugh. The story is already old and can be seen on YouTube.

Even though his handshake was not within the “guidelines of NFL protocol,” I liked that Harbaugh, a proven winning coach, was excited about the outcome of his team. Many leaders fail to passionately celebrate the accomplished goals of their team or business or church. It seems that they are never satisfied and are focused on the minor flaws rather than exuberantly enjoying the positive advances with the team. Too many leaders lack the passion that inspires others to invest fully for the vision of the organizaton.

  1. Leadership is sometimes shaking the opposing coach’s hand too hard.
  2. Leadership is cheering every baptism.
  3. Leadership is crying at weddings.
  4. Leadership is getting donuts and coffee for the set-up team.
  5. Leadership is getting on your knees to look a child in the eyes.
  6. Leadership is celebrating a church launch.
  7. Leadership is sending a timely card of thanks for a job well done.
  8. Leadership is dying for the good of others.
  9. Leadership is running to the empty tomb to see for yourself.
  10. Leadership is restoring discouraged men back into ministry after denying Christ 3 times.
  11. Leadership is leaving your disciples with a task so compelling and so enormous that it is taking over 2,000 years to accomplish.
  12. Leadership is doing things that not everyone understands.

Lead with passion and celebrate with your team–even if you occasionally over celebrate.