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Leadership Principles of the Warrior - Series One – An Introduction

By Randy Gonzalez

From a project, originally entitled, “Leadership Principles of the Christian Warrior”,

the words lead, leader and leadership have various connotations in both the secular and
religious world. We tend to conjure all kinds of notions about what a leader is, or what a
leader ought to be. Yet, few really appreciate, from a biblical perspective, the meaning of
true Judeo-Christian centered leadership. All our worldly conceptions about leadership
have become greatly disturbed by mundane mediocrity in the past few decades.
But, since the beginning of recorded history, Judeo-Christian conceptions have had
special designations as to what a leader should be, know and do in service to himself or
herself, family, community and country Kingdom. Yet, often, misguided perceptions of
leadership come from the Judeo-Christian realm itself, as well as the humanistic pop
cultural dominion. Judeo-Christian leadership and the leadership principles of the
Christian Warrior are truly unique concepts of human existence. Yet, some would
ascribe misdirected ideas in their definition of what "leadership" is about. For example,
you might think, as many assert, leadership is about the following kinds of concepts that
include control, power, influence and cleverness.
In moving toward a more distinct and differentiated definition of leadership, a leader
is called to lead by example and dedication, in obedience to a set of higher standards. He
or she accepts a calling of noble quality, uniquely felt from within, by virtue of personal
characteristics. Reflected by one’s unique personality, leaders set the example for others
to follow. Her or his conduct provides the basis for a code of behavior that anciently has
been expressed in the Code of Bushido, or the way of the samurai.
This suggests an ascended state of self-transformation, beyond lower level fixations
on personal needs, with a high degree of individual self-discipline. Leaders must exert
effort to be impeccable in all actions and decisions. They must possess the capacity for
influencing others by virtue of their sensitivity to another’s dysfunctions. And, she or he
must be honest in matters of heartfelt intentions, peacemakers of authenticity, and
creators who withstand the attacks of their detractors and misguided critics.
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Leaders diligently strive to walk in the “way of the warrior”, while their humility
prevents them are thinking they’re perfect by any arrogant stretch of their imagination.
Sometimes they may falter, but always they are trying to rise above and strengthen their
skills. Their leadership ability shines upon others, as they focus on inner maturity, as
opposed to external deterministic excuses. To them, causality and subsequent effects are
driven at the hands of the leader. Ideation is from within, as free will stimulates the
consciousness to action of a proactive nature. Competent leaders must be a woman or
man of his or her word. A “written contract” for getting things done should not be
needed. Others must be able to trust what he or she says and relies on his or her
commitment to do the right thing at the right time.
Leaders must be cautious of hypocrisy, deception and foolish notions that concocted
fallacies for subjective validation. They must be credible in both word and deed and they
must be authentic. As a leader, you do what is correct because it is true, regardless of
what other may say or do, or what might be politically expedient. Uh huh, sure, wishful
thinking, especially when a promotion is on the line, right? None the less, your actions
are not based on appearance, symbolism over substance, or any other notion. What you
do is done not for the sake of personal gain or honor, but because you are in service to the
greater cause of excellence in leadership and service.
In what might be called the Judeo-Christian tradition, one might be mindful of the
example of the biblical portrayal of the centurion. A warrior of great authority and
power, the centurion acknowledged the authority of a higher morality, and was
recognized for his "great faith". The centurion expressed humility in spite of his power
and ability to carry out extreme measures against others. It is a picture of a warrior
submitting himself to the greater cosmic spectrum in humility and devotion.
To be an effective leader, the choice of such a state of being, is far different from the
worldly notions of fixated self-satiations for success, power, political influence and
materialistic gainfulness. Differentiated leadership is one in which the woman or the man
of such character gazes upon the social landscape. In so doing, he or she asserts one does
not need the things valued by so highly by the abjectness of gluttonous materiality.
Spartan simplicity suffices the essence of self-evolution.
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It is not an orientation toward materialistic self-promotion, or self-centered focus, or

arrogance of one-upmanship. A bigger castle, larger chariot and lofty title, another
vassal, each is but a hassle distracting the true measure of one’s creative mettle.
Competition is in the quest for success by solving the necessary problems at hand through
imaginative ingenuities. As leaders, we must come to know, recognize and understand
the wisdom of self-evolved maturity. For Judeo-Christian adherent, the leader has a role
to play that involves strenuous virtues, impeccable character qualities, and a warrior
mindset, with teacher-philosopher abilities to guide others.
A worldly grotesque concept of commercialism, in the profane overindulgence at any
cost, is not the kind of credible leadership suggested here. In Judeo-Christian
conceptualization of leadership, it is offered that you to give something of yourself for
the evolving nature of your true self. By contrast, in humanistic leadership, perception is
self-focused in an adversarial sense for self-gratification regardless of others. For the
warrior leader, first he or she gets his or her “house” in order (matters of self-
actualization, self-evolving, differentiated mindset). Secondly, the leader or leader to be,
seeks nothing from others, needs nothing, and simply nothing.
You don’t need constant attention, self-validation, or the perverse belongingness of
frequent recognition, adulation or special attentiveness from “self-healing” gurus. Who
cares? In the end, when the curtain closes and the lights go out, and the body become
dust, who remembers and what does it matter? Over time, people move on and all things
come and go. You journey to substantiate a better version of your previous self for the
necessity of you. Thirdly, you remain content with who you are and what you have,
where you are going. Here resides the mystery of the mountaintop for the realm of the
true leader. It is the summit of his or her strength and hers or his to command.
If we examine leadership definitions, we can uncover some interesting ideas about the
concept of leadership. For instance, in regard to the idea of "lead", the first expression
given is to become a guide and show the way. That is, a leader must understand the
seriousness of such responsibility, become a competent guide and to know the right way
to go. Leaders must examine relationships with others every minute of every day and
ensure the appropriateness of those interactions. To guide the way, a true leader must
understand the nature of the mission and the goals to achieve.
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The authentic leader must have confidence and competence to guide others along the
right paths within the organization, even when they resist. Leaders must accept their
calling to lead, and then do it by virtue of their special talents and psychological gifts.
She or he must consider the delicate balance of human forces at play around him or her.
If you’re different and independent minded, then there will be opposition. And, that is a
narrow gate by which you enter. Such boldness of command requires you take charge and
work diligently in the capacity for which you have been chosen.
We are all on the mission field of some endeavor in some walk of life. Wherever we
are in our journey, we must be leaders in whatsoever we do. Leadership is an expression
of a vision that people will be willing to follow. It is a challenging fine line upon which
they are being led. You will be exposed to criticism, deception, and backstabbing all the
way. You must be vigilant but not vindictive, corrective but not vengeful. The objective
is to accomplish the mission. To which, leaders must guide others on this common
purpose by the quality of the standards they have set.
Thus, once again, the basis of which is the necessity for an effective leader to be
willing to demonstrate behavior by exemplary conduct. Although far from perfect, the
leader endeavors to be impeccable in his or her conduct and treatment of others. No
matter what their status in the organization or lives outside the operations, everyone is
treated with dignity and respectful empathy. However, there will be times, when you
must simply walk away from the divisiveness and negativity others create around you.
There’s no requirement you subject yourself to the foolish, the stupid or the hateful
manifestations of human devolution in devolving self-gratifications.
By contrast, you must endeavor to exercise effective leadership, by demonstrating the
capacity of well-reasoned proficiency. By going first, the leader will not ask those who
follow to do anything he or she would not do. Leaders readily accept and acknowledge
the challenge of leadership, and know they must work hard to develop their abilities.
Leadership in a metaphorical sense is a "warrior-hood". As in the Code of Bushido, for
example, the adherent understands the affinity between being a warrior and being a
skilled leader. For the leader-warrior construct there is by correlation with the "bushido”
carried out within the organizational framework. In its uncomplicated straightforward
precepts, this means "military-knight-ways" for the discipline of duty.
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Akin to the traditions of Judeo-Christian precepts, "bushido" is a chivalric code. Of

which, one’s conduct engenders a mind-set and character that is unique, in terms of the
past, the present and the future for personal transformation. As the samurai code speaks
of courage, daring, devotion, discipline, justice and honor, so does the way of the leader.
Reflective of "warrior spirit", it is that which directs a full-scale attack on adverse
oppositional forces, unproductivity and incompetence. Such a framework invokes
personal accountability and responsibility for one's actions. So, you have to grow up and
act like an adult and repent from the foolishness of inferior thinking.
None of this should be construed to suggest a doctrinaire or dogmatic attitude about
anything except changing oneself. It must be remembered that you have been called to a
higher level of service. It’s called leadership. We are not to be driven by this call, but to
be challenged in our responsibilities. A leader, as a warrior in the Judeo-Christian
tradition, practices correctness in mindful compassion for others. You strive to treat all
persons, when possible and humanly feasible, in a just and humane manner.
It is interesting to historical note, that the samurai of ancient Japan were also
considered servants. What an interesting contrast between the ancient warrior class, and
the service modern day leadership. Once that choice was made, the process begins in
productive self-revolution. It is not an easy direction, but it is the only route to follow.
We must be willing to endure much in our service and be prepared for the hardships that
come. Being a leader is a process that influences others to accomplish the organization’s
undertakings. You have to carry out these tasks by applying your attributes, which
include beliefs, values, ethics, character, knowledge and skills and so forth. Although you
come to know these things, followers watch what you do.
They sense if you are an honorable leader or a self-serving phony, who misuses
authority to look good and get promoted. That means your leadership is everything you
do that affects associational accomplishments and the well-being of subordinates. If you
want to be a respected leader, believed and trusted, concentrate on who you are, what you
know, and how you do things effectively. Leadership quality and how it is defined in the
real world is a human mirror of those who lead as well as those who follow. A leader's
appearance, spirit, bearing, demeanor, words and actions give feeling, meaning and life to
what a leader really is. You have to be willing to stand alone if necessary.
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