How does a Leader Pay Closer Attention to God's Presence? With Guest, D'Metri Mattocks

Real Life With Pamela Lau

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, D'Metri relocated to southeast Tennessee in 2012 to attend Lee University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degrees in both psychology and music with a vocal emphasis. D’Metri went on to work professionally at his alma mater within student development between 2016 and 2021. During this time, he had a chance to serve in various capacities within residential life and housing and student life, including stints as a program coordinator, resident director, and area coordinator. Motivated by helping students come to understand the inherent value and worth they possess as image bearers of God, D’Metri relocated to Newberg, Oregon, to serve the George Fox University campus as director of intercultural life. In his current role, D’Metri hopes to invest in the lives of those he encounters through relationships and opportunities for genuine connection. Outside of work, D’Metri is a passionate worship leader and can often be found helping lead worship at the Downtown campus of his church, Mannahouse, in Portland, Oregon.

In today's episode, DMetri and I cover the wide range of unspoken pressures young, emerging leaders face and what we can do to pay closer attention to one another and the Presence of God in our lives. We talk about how even small children can learn to become leaders in simple ways as parents teach well. How does one develop God-given self-confidence? What does that look like and how does a leader serve humbly? How does God lead young and upcoming leaders when the path is unknown? Even unplanned? We cover the hard conversation of the difficulties of being a person of color. Why it's so important (profoundly so) for people of color to see representation at professional gatherings, on LinkedIn, in director positions. We talk about the power of seeing someone who looks like you, ahead of you in a position. We dive deep into what culture is pressuring leaders to look and sound like. What happens when you are called to lead but you don't want to be the loudest person in the room? When do you shut down the voices that shout, "Take Charge!"? How is Jesus' example of being fully present to individuals a role for leaders? How might the example of Moses whose hands were held up until the battle was won work for us in today's individualistic culture? Where does support come from for a leader? How does a supervisor show genuine support and how might a peer be supportive? When do family and friends need to step in? What am I valuing as a Christian leader? In order for an organization to flourish, one voice is valued but how do we value the institutional mission? What's the role of mission and vision while still maintaining value for the individual? When an organization and an individual work together, it's a form of flourishing. Why is struggling and suffering over important issues an opportunity for leaders to come to the table for clarity? Why does "shutting down" the conversation back-fire? We end our conversation talking through how leaders can help keep going the most difficult conversations. How might our perceived "failures" or the "failures" of leaders ahead of us teach us about what we can do differently?

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pamela-havey-lau/message