David Lutes:

A Calling Reconstructed

What starts as a setback in ministry for David Lutes evolves into a transformative calling, blending faith and leadership. His journey spans continents, touching nations like Lithuania and reshaping his understanding of purpose in a post-Soviet world.

Bio

David M. Lutes is an American-British dual national with an extensive career in leadership development, organizational consulting, and training. He has over 25 years of global experience working in senior roles with Fortune 100/250/500 companies and various organizations across more than 30 countries, including the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

Key highlights include:

Diverse Roles:

  • Senior consultant for NATO, advising on military downsizing and re-skilling post-Soviet Union.
  • Former Global Program Director for leadership development with World Vision International.
  • Director and consultant for numerous companies in talent management, organizational effectiveness, and strategic workforce planning.


Ministry and Coaching:

  • Ordained minister and lay co-pastor with pastoral experience in South Africa, the UK, the US, and the UAE.
  • Specializes in servant leadership, blending business ethics with biblical values.


Educational and Thought Leadership:

  • A former intern of Dr. W. Edwards Deming, integrating Total Quality Management (TQM) and LEAN methodologies.
  • Published author and conference speaker, addressing topics like succession planning, cultural diversity, and emotional intelligence.


Personal Background:

  • Played semi-professional baseball in South Africa.
  • Passionate about developing leaders with servant hearts, emphasizing faith-driven management and leadership principles.


David is known for his engaging and transformative approach to coaching, leadership, and organizational change, rooted in his commitment to making a meaningful difference in people’s lives and careers.

Topics

  • The principles of servant leadership and their practical applications.
  • The role of faith in navigating career transitions.
  • Insights into rebuilding organizations in post-Soviet countries.
  • The intersection of spiritual calling and corporate leadership.
  • Lessons learned from working with leaders across 43 countries.
  • How servant leadership can transform toxic workplace cultures.
  • Challenges and opportunities of bridging Eastern and Western leadership philosophies.
  • The importance of pushing people up and fostering authentic teamwork.
  • Dr. Deming’s influence on leadership strategies.
  • Balancing professional excellence with a personal commitment to faith.

Guiding Questions

  • Can you describe the moment when you realized you needed to pivot from ministry to leadership development?
  • What is servant leadership, and why is it so central to your work?
  • How did your experiences in Prague and Lithuania shape your understanding of leadership?
  • What was the most surprising lesson you learned from Dr. Deming?
  • How do you balance your Christian values with working in secular environments?
  • Can you share a story about a challenging moment in your leadership journey and how you overcame it?
  • What advice would you give to organizations looking to embrace servant leadership?
  • How has your global work influenced your approach to cultural sensitivity in leadership?
  • What’s the one principle you believe every leader should practice?
  • How do you see the concept of servant leadership evolving in today’s world?

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