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A compelling force.
HowDoYouGrowYourCOGNITIVELeaderTraits?
Fair-minded- sees and respects differing points of view.
Leadership Moments From
Real Life: What leader traits
did you see in action this
week?
SLTA Reflection: From your
reading of the leader traits or
reflecting on them, what
conclusions or ‘ah hahs’ came
your way?
Question: What does the quote by C.S. Lewis, below, have to do with being fairminded?
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.
Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours
as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with,
marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This
does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our
merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which
exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously
– no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.
C.S. Lewis
Question: Describe the essence of Fair-minded found in these two
Scriptures. I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and
the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism
to anyone. (1 Timothy 5:21, NLT)
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This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those
who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do
not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!
(Jeremiah 22:3, NLT)
Discussion Exercise:
Each group takes a form of decision making and then applies that form to one or
two of the situations below. Are you satisfied with the outcome? Why? Why not? Are
there Scriptures that re-enforce your position?
Decision Making Options:





Group 1 -- Fair (all are treated equally) Group 2 -- Ethical (we will do what we
said we would do)
Group 3 -- Virtuous (decisions are based on individual issues and needs)
Group 4. -- Just (based on who has been the best contributor, the most
valued/talented/producer)
Group 5. -- Functional (how critical each position is in providing essential
core services)
Group 6. -- Fair-minded (a choice between obligations and responsibilities)
Situation #1. You are a committee of the church board. The church owns a building
separate from the main church where office rentals are available to help pay the
mortgage. We also have our community outreach caring program housed there. One
of our offices is vacant and the local Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual Support Group has
applied to rent it. And your recommendation based on the assigned decision making
option is…….
Situation #2. We are an organization/enterprise and we are seriously out of budget
alignment. Everyone here is an employee. Some have been with us for 20+ years and
some have come on board in the last two years. Some are exceptionally talented.
Others, marginally contributing. Two people have to be let go. Make your decision
on your assigned method (Fair, Ethics, Functional, etc.). Defend the correctness of
your decision. What seemed not right about it? What made a Fair-minded decision
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different? How would you explain that to the employees who were retained. How
would you explain it to the employees who were let go?
Discussion Question 1: How does a leader demonstrate Fair-mindedness and still stay
true to the mission and values of the organization they serve?
Discussion Question 2: Describe why the following leader traits are essential to
counter-balance the trait of Fair-minded
Determined
Independent
Discussion Question 3: Describe what is happening when the following leader traits are
paired.
Wise
Supportive
Insightful
Flexible/Cooperative
Next Session: Read in your resource book, LEADER: Who Are You?, on the trait
__________________________________________ I
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Fair-minded
©Ronald D Kuest, ISLT 2013, All Rights Reserved