I have always been amazed at the leaders who are willing to look foolish in order to get things done within their company. The best example I can think of was Herb Kelleher the founder and long-time CEO of Southwest Airlines. Mr. Kelleher became famous for dressing up in costumes, playing along with jokes and becoming the symbol of good, clean-loving fun for his airline. Later, another airline executive has tried to do the same as Sir. Richard Branson brought his own style of foolishness to his company. I had the opportunity to work with David Novak, the current (and only) CEO of Yum! restaurants. David was not a prankster or one who would don a costume, but he was not afraid to put on a Green Bay Packers (congrats by the way) cheesehead as he was rewarding and recognizing Pizza Hut employees or carry rubber chickens in his briefcase for recognition to KFC restaurant workers. What strikes me about these leaders is that they so love their work and are so passionate about their companies and their employees that they let down their guard and allow themselves to be human and yes, sometimes foolish for the sake of relating and being proud of their companies. Too many leaders get caught up in their own position and lose their humanness and the special touch with those around them. Our own King David was one who was not afraid to be foolish in his leadership and love for the Lord. We read in 2 Samuel, “He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord. I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord.” Maybe what we need to do is allow ourselves to fall back in love with what we do and then let our joy and love show through in real emotions and maybe even what we once would have thought as “foolishness”.

Reference: 2 Samuel 6:21 (New Living Testament)