Christian Leadership Alliance
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In Times Like These
Reflections from the Life and Ministry of Fred Smith
Editor's Note: One of the great mentors and executive coaches of the 20th century was Fred Smith. Like Ted Engstrom, Fred was a wise and caring friend to a generation of Christian leaders now approaching retirement. Recently we asked his daughter Brenda Smith to help us reflect on what her father and our dear friend might have said to this generation of leaders in such different times as these were he still with us. We trust you will find her thoughts on his insights and wisdom timeless, convicting and encouraging.
"If conditions don't change dramatically, many of your ministries will be out of money, talking merger, or disappearing." The faith-based audience responded with nods, stares, and dismay at the words carefully spoken by a major funder. "These are difficult times. Don't hide, and don't assume your supporters are aware of your work—let them know what you are doing." He finished his admonishment with words of hope. "Do the right things in the right way. Your work is needed more than ever."
As President of a faith-based non-profit, I listened to his targeted counsel. Then, I felt a smile creep across my face. What would Dad have to say? More pointedly, what would Dad say to me? Quite an intriguing exercise.
My Dad, Fred Smith, Sr. mentored high achievers as an operation of his giftedness, not as a vocational pursuit. His business career, writing, speaking, and love of stimulating conversations created a strong platform. Men and women sought his thinking for most of his 92 years. His final book, Breakfast with Fred is subtitled, "Mentor to a generation of leaders."
He refused to "give advice." Instead, he asked questions…great, probing questions. Commanding executives cowered as he simply and expertly identified core issues. I still laugh as I think of the time he asked a seemingly benign question and evoked a yelp, "Fred, you dun dug up a snake with that one!"
His genius was distillation. His mind was a vast funnel into which data poured. A punchy "one-liner" flowed from the bottom. He sorted and summed. He always spoke of providing handles for ideas to make them transferable. "Wait to worry" and "Be the pipe, not the pump" are vintage Smith.
With this in mind, I began an abstract conversation with him.
"Dad, times are tough. The economy is in free-fall. Fear is pervasive. How should I be thinking?"
He didn't speak back, of course. But years of working, living, and talking together built a robust collection of Fred-think I could research.
Soon, a series of questions emerged. They were helpful to me in assessing the condition and direction of the BWF Project (www.breakfastwithfred.com). I share them, hoping you will be encouraged.
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