Some leaders cling to the phrase, “We’ve always done it this way.” However, being a Christlike leader means being willing to be countercultural. In my book A Leader Worth Imitating, I wrote that being countercultural isn’t about breaking rules for the sake of breaking rules. It’s about not letting cultural norms dictate how you fulfill your purpose.
In John 4:1-42, when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, He broke two cultural norms: men weren’t supposed to speak to women in public, and Jews weren’t supposed to associate with Samaritans. Yet Jesus chose purpose over tradition. His countercultural leadership not only changed one woman’s life but also impacted her entire community.
For us, being countercultural doesn’t mean breaking rules for the sake of it. It means refusing to let harmful cultural norms dictate how we lead.
Application Question: What is one cultural norm in your circle of influence that you may need to challenge or break in order to lead with purpose?
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Nick Chellsen 