Here are three values that have become critically important to people in the 21st century:
Authenticity: The messenger is also the message. The messenger needs to walk their talk. Nothing is more off-putting in the 21st century than the feeling that someone is ‘performing’. This leads to them being seen as a fake, a hypocrite, a deceiver. Definitely someone not to be trusted. People are crying out for authenticity from their leaders, preachers, politicians, even their celebrities.
Excellence: It’s no longer good enough to get by with things that are good enough. People expect and demand excellence. Incidentally, as a Christian I think this is a good thing. As the church, if we believe something is important, we should go all out to do it with excellence. Why would we tolerate half-hearted attempts at good enough in the service of our King?
Humility: Titles are not impressive. Letters after your name are not impressive. Two things are impressive – experience that means you know what you are talking about (see again Authenticity), and then an accompanying humility that allows you to laugh at yourself, genuinely care about other people rather than your own reputation, and work in partnership with others to achieve more.
Since these are three of the values of the age, how are you living them out? You need to do so to be a credible leader in the 21st century. As a follower of Jesus, you should already care about them intrinsically.
Mark Williamson is a founding director of One Rock International. He’s a lay preacher and leader within the Methodist Church, author of a biography on John Wesley, and is currently researching for a biography on William Wilberforce. He enjoys good films, good food, praying for London, and going for long walks with his wife Joanna.