Faced with one of the most daunting decisions to make, Winston Churchill found himself in a dilemma. One decision would plunge the United Kingdom into world war. The other choice would place the people of the United Kingdom under the mercy of a ruthless dictator.
Those within his own government were torn. One party wanted a peace deal that would prevent their country from what seemed to be impending doom. The other party wanted to fight and not give in to tyranny regardless of the cost.
The elected, chosen officials were supposed to represent the voice of the people. Yet it seems their conclusions were being driven more by ideologies, questions of status, and the “greater good” than by the thoughts of the people. Though they were meant to be a representation of the people, it was questionable how much actual time they spent with their people. Relying on these officials to make a decision that would impact the whole nation seemed to place too much trust in the public officials and too little trust in the nation itself.
This is when the story takes a turn. According to the narrative, Churchill turned to the public.
Churchill was notorious for seemingly disappearing. He would leave the safety of his guard to spend time alone. Some assumed that Churchill was disappearing to indulge himself in one of his many vices. Others claimed to catch him feeding pigeons. The explanation that makes for the best story is that Churchill would sneak off and ride the subway. This was his way to stay connected to the people.
“According to the narrative, Churchill turned to the public.”
This latter explanation birthed a great cinematic moment in the movie Darkest Hour. The movie depicts Churchill, portrayed by Gary Oldman, on his way to Parliament riding the tube, shortly after the retreat at Dunkirk. It is in this moment that Churchill polls the “common” men and women of Britain to ask them the question that is weighing on his soul. Should the British people sign a treaty of peace with Germany, or should they resist the Germans and go to war against the tyrant Hitler?
The resolve that seems to be missing from the elected officials is not missing on this subway cart. Not a person on the cart is willing to let the tyrant win. A resounding cry to upend the tyranny by any means possible empowers Churchill with a story to share with Parliament.
As Churchill approaches a divided room with war on the horizon, the lion sets the stage before he roars. He presents the question and speaks to the issue facing them to be voted upon that day. Amid jeers and cheers, he outlines the positions.
Then, he does something remarkable. He pulls out a notepad and begins to read. He shares the story of the workers on the subway. He shares their names and where they work. He talks about their kids and lets the congregation of Parliament experience the conversations that he had.
“He pulls out a notepad and begins to read. He shares the story of the workers on the subway.”
Though each person comes from somewhere different in London, going to somewhere different to work, they all share the same resolve. They will not give into the tyrant of Germany, they will not support peace, and they are willing and ready to resist and fight. The voice of the people outweighs the naysayers of Parliament. The nation will not become puppets of the tyrant, they will resist and fight, and, from the coal worker to Parliament dignitary, they will unite and fight.
The movie may have taken some cinematic liberties with the historical Churchill. Sometimes the myth and legend overtake the person. Yet, everyone in leadership can likely pull some helpful principles from this anecdote of Churchill. One such principle is the importance of leading from among the people. Leaders get to know the people they lead.
The most dramatic illustration of this principle is the true story of the Incarnation. Jesus, the Son of God, moves in with humanity. He is gestated in a woman, he is raised in a carpenter’s house, and he faces every tough life situation that the rest of humanity faces.
If we want to lead like Jesus, we can’t stay quarantined from real people.
“If we want to lead like Jesus, we can’t stay quarantined from real people.”
Jesus knew when he was touched by someone needing healing in a crowd. He knew the story of the woman at the well. He knew that Nathanael was an Israelite with no deceit (John 1:47). A Christlike leader knows the stories of those he/she leads.
If you’re leading people you don’t know very well, how do you fix that? It’s easier than you might think. Text them and ask them how you can pray for them in the week. Grab a coffee at their work, their school, or their neighborhood. Become incarnate in their life.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV),
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Jesus was God, yet a servant to all. The prophet Isaiah even refers to him as the “suffering servant” (e.g., Isaiah 53). Jesus walks as a carpenter’s son, not like a Zeus or Apollo. He lives with the people, he knows their stories, he knows where they live and how they live.
“He lives with the people, he knows their stories, he knows where they live and how they live.”
Jesus’ miracles are personal. He uses his fingers to heal the blind instead of snapping them to topple governmental powers. He chooses to walk with the poor instead of separating himself from the problems.
He comes into direct conflict with the powers in charge because of his authentic love and servant heart. He refers to these aloof “leaders” as whitewashed tombs because he knows that the inside is corrupt and heartless.
As leaders, it is easy to form our vision and leadership from those who have led before us by gaining platforms and status. YouTube subscriptions, book deals, and TV appearances can eclipse the wisdom we ought to draw from being with those we lead.
