Do I see myself as a leader?
Yes, though I would describe my leadership differently from the way many might picture it. I have led churches and not-for-profits for the best part of forty years, but I am not the loudest voice in the room nor am I constantly chasing the next opportunity. My style is quieter, more reflective, more enduring.
I think of myself as a lighthouse keeper. A lighthouse doesn’t shout. It doesn’t chase storms or reposition itself every few years. It stands in one place for a long time, holding steady, built for endurance. Its task is simple but vital: to shine consistently, especially when visibility is poor, and to give others a point of reference so they can navigate their own course.
That’s how I’ve understood leadership. I don’t change roles quickly. My last three jobs have spanned 16 years, 12 years, and 10 years respectively. Some leaders jump from one post to another every few years, chasing new challenges or climbing ladders. That has never been my way. I stay. I endure. I think in decades, sometimes even in half-centuries.
You can’t always predict what society will look like in fifty years, but you can prepare for it. My focus has been on establishing the kind of foundations that will last: communities that are resilient, organisations that remain true to their purpose, people who can flourish in uncertain futures.
Like a lighthouse, my leadership has combined steadiness with risk. Keeping a light burning on a rocky headland in wild seas is never without danger. I am willing to take bold steps but the risks I take are considered ones—creative, imaginative steps toward a future not yet seen, but one I believe is worth preparing for.
So yes, I see myself as a leader. But not the kind who rushes ahead. More the kind who keeps watch, holds the light steady, and helps others find their way.
The Afterword 
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