Leadership occurs around us. Effective leaders and ineffective attempts at leadership are part of everyday life. It is fascinating to me to observe people in meetings and watch how they influence conversations; how they input into the thinking of others; how they interact around the table. Some use humor and rapport as their major form of impact; others utilize a more serious, analytical discourse; others listen with quiet attention until they have formulated a well thought-out opinion; others maintain their soapbox ready to be into action at any given time.
As I watch a movie or a TV show or when I read a book, I am intrigued by the character’s approach to life and his/her leadership role in the plot of the narrative. Media is such a great training ground for leadership recognition. Even commercials have quick lessons about leadership – sometime take note of those car dealership commercials (as obnoxious as some of them can be) and evaluate the leadership style being portrayed on the screen.
A well written novel often provides outstanding examples of positive and negative leaders. The author, if skillful and effective, will paint a great picture of leadership qualities in the life of the major characters in his/her story. In my opinion, the better the writer, the easier these leadership threads can be followed. I have recently completed a John Grisham novel, The Confession, in which the author compares and contrasts some classic leadership paradigms. Grisham places the coercive, authoritarian leadership style that attempts to intimidate others through power and position in juxtaposition with a soft spoken pastor whose main motivation is to do the right thing in the face of a difficult situation. The drive and the need to be right blinds the eyes of the authorities in the book. The drive and need to do what is right leads the pastor into civil disobedience. Ignoring evidence and rationalizing away any last minute appeals as smoke-and-mirror deception, law enforcement continues to move toward punishment. Following his heart and the conviction of God in his life, the pastor moves to revealing what he believes to be truth that has been hidden for almost a decade.
The authorities are determined to administer the death penalty to a convicted murderer nine years after his initial time in court and several lost appeals. They are convinced that Donte Drumm is guilty and his time on death row needs to conclude with his execution. Donte, a black high school football star, allegedly killed Nikki Yarber, a white cheerleader in Slone, Texas. Racial tensions filled this novel as the accused consistently declares his innocence to the deaf ears of the family and friends of the victim as well as the legal authorities in the state of Texas.
Travis Boyette enters the narrative through church doors in Kansas as he visits the counseling office of a Lutheran pastor, Keith Schroeder. Travis is a lifetime criminal, recently released on parole and just as recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. His confession to the pastor indicates Drumm’s innocence and Boyette’s guilt.
Robbie Flak, Donte Drumm’s lawyer, has been passionately and tirelessly working over the nine years of Donte’s incarceration to prove his client’s innocence. Robbie thoroughly believes in his client and in the injustice done to this young man. Robbie is a flamboyant charismatic type of leader that says what he believes and articulates it with confidence and boldness. His rather rough exterior only partially hides his heart of compassion and zeal for justice. Robbie thrives on the hunt for truth and finds his motivation in defending the powerless. He leads with passion and enthusiasm.
Pastor Keith has the heart of a counselor and yet the stubborn will of a donkey. When faced with the decision of helping Travis Boyette break parole by leaving the state of Kansas and traveling to Texas, he is willing to risk his pastorate, his reputation, and possibly face criminal charges in order to bring truth to light. The pastor’s courage and faith are so evident in his leadership style. His combines compassion and confrontation; obedience to God and integrity to man; truthfulness and honesty in the midst of lies, slander, manipulation, and anger. Pastor Keith is willing to go against the advice of friends, his wife, and legal counsel in order to do what he feels God is calling him to accomplish.
I won’t spoil the story or give away the plot of the novel. The book is a typical Grisham story – the language is sometimes profane and the some of the topics require adult maturity, but the religious nature of the novel is portrayed as a powerful source of truth and redemption. I am not recommending this book for high school students and even adult readers may not desire an exposure to such topics/language, but it is an interesting study in leadership, the depravity of man, and the soul’s driving need for forgiveness.
Grisham, J. (2010). The confession: A novel. New York: Doubleday
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