At the risk of this blog becoming a public romance, (especially in light of the nice surprise she cooked up for me on my birthday), I have decided to feature my incredible wife, Terri Brady, as the next leader in this series of noteworthy contemporary leaders.
Many women ask what the proper role of a woman should be in leadership. The best answer I can give of this is for people to simply observe Terri Brady in action. And regarding Terri I have a great perspective for this – I am married to her! I get to see her on a daily basis, living and carrying out the principles she teaches from stage.
I believe one of Terri’s biggest strengths as a leader is how Christ-centered she is. It has been this way since I met her. She loves the Lord Jesus Christ and is desperately concerned to do His will and to serve His purposes.
Another area in which Terri shines as a leader is in her incredible personal discipline. Each day she rises early and does her Bible study, then does one of her many workouts. No matter how much we have been traveling, working, or whatever, she rarely misses an early morning of her routine. She is very disciplined in the areas of self-denial, waiting on purchases or food splurges or whatever she has determined must come under her powerful force of self-discipline.
Terri is also incredibly "other focused." This can readily be seen in her surprise to me on this blog where she wanted to honor me and include all of you in the game! It can be seen in the way she takes time with her children to educate them, enjoy them, train them, discipline them, and guide them. It can be seen in how she treats me: always quick to apologize and to give me the benefit of the doubt. And, probably the most striking: the amazing amount of time and energy she spends thinking about others and what they might need. Terri is ALWAYS asking me about someone else, Did they get out of the hospital? Did they mention if so-and-so had the baby? Did they need anything from her? Would it be okay to send her a card? Do you think I should call her? Do you think we could pray for them? These are the questions Terri asks me tirelessly in her concern for others.
Terri is also quick to forgive and slow to be offended. I have seen her take shots most men couldn’t handle. She has been as mistreated and harshly dealt with as any leader who dares to stand for something and make a public stand, and she handles it with strength, poise, and grace. Usually, if something goes wrong, she is quick to assume she is the one to blame and that she must have done something wrong.
Terri is also hungry for personal change. Of all the leaders I have been privileged to work with over the years, she has grown personally more than all of them. She reads, prays, asks me about how she can improve, and holds herself accountable without mercy.
Courage also comes to mind. Terri is an old-fashioned "scrapper," and is not afraid of confronting injustice. Reminiscent of Abigail Adams, she does not shy away from a fight and she doesn’t have a cowardly bone in her body. I don’t mean this in a bad way, as if she is contentious, but rather that she is valiant and willing to push through her fears for the right reasons no matter what.
One last area, although I could literally fill pages about her, is that when I mess up, forget to inform her about something, change her schedule without notice, have to change something I promised, or have to push her considerations to the side because of some pressing business matter, she NEVER makes me pay a price for it! I mean never!! I have broken off dinner dates with her, flat cancelled others, changed the plan, then changed it back, then changed it again so many times I cannot count. And incredibly: she doesn’t count them either! I am never hit with a guilt trip, pouting, or "wharehousing" of offenses stored up for a later fight.
Each of these Terri Brady strengths are great examples for anyone on the leadership journey to emulate. I know I certainly appreciate the up-close example of someone who is truly a great leader, and an incredible wife to a crazy man! If Terri has been a great example to you, encouraged you, or inspired you in some way, feel free to share it!
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