Go Deep. See Wide.

Proverbs 25:3“Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth, the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.”Years ago, I was speaking at some schools near South Dakota and had one whole day off between engagements.Just enough time to drive up into the Black Hills and finally see Mount Rushmore.I was geeked! Everybody’s always asking, “Who’s on your Mount Rushmore?”—rappers, athletes, preachers, all kinds of people. Now I was about to see the actual mountain for myself.I drove all that way expecting to see some “Dead Presidents” like Rakim said.The only face I met was a CLOSED sign.The government was shut down over a budget fight—which meant the park was shut down, too. Dang!Four giant faces were somewhere behind that gate, and I couldn’t see none of ‘em.August 25th 2026 the National Park Service turns 110. It was created to preserve America’s natural and cultural treasures for future generations.And that birthday brings me right back to the mountain—and to Proverbs 25:3:“Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth, the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.”Proverbs doesn’t compare leadership to a résumé, a title or a platform. It compares leadership to the horizon and the ocean.Wide and deep.Mount Rushmore has four faces. Paul, in Ephesians, gives us four dimensions of the Love of God: width, length, height and depth.I remember Dr. Cornel West once saying that in order to lead well, you must learn to love well. Love and Leadership.Yep…good leadership is rooted in good love in all four dimensions.Width asks, “Who am I still not seeing yet?”Depth asks, “What’s happening underneath the surface?”Height asks, “What larger good is calling me to go higher?”Length asks, “What will this decision produce farther down the road?”You know that leadership’s not only what happens on the big stage. You love and lead everywhere, in your home, on your job, in your church. And sometimes the hardest person you’ll ever have to love and lead…is yourself.Width without depth becomes shallow reaction.Depth without width becomes private wisdom that can’t see the whole landscape.And high visibility without deep character? That’s how leaders become monuments before they become mature.The park being closed taught me something, too: you can be standing near something enormous and still miss what it has to show you.So before your next important decision today, don’t just ask what’s right in front of you.Go deep.See wide.Love well.🔥 REMEMBERA larger platform requires a deeper interior life.🙏🏽 PRAYERGod, deepen my wisdom and widen my vision for others.🎯 TODAY’S CHALLENGEBefore one decision today, ask: “What am I not seeing?” Then ask: “What’s happening beneath what I can see?”About the AuthorFred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch📱 Experience Proverbs Daily by Subscribing!Ready to receive daily wisdom directly on your phone?Go to proverbsdaily.org for the app or just click that Subscribe button right now! Get full access to Hey Fred Lynch! at heyfredlynch.substack.com/subscribe