EP 108: Speaking Truth to Power: Taking a Stand Guided by Faith and Love with Dee Kelley

The Unburdened Leader

What do you want to be known for? And what actions do you take to be seen in that light?

What lengths do you go to to avoid being misunderstood and viewed differently than what you want to be known for?

What drives what you want to be known for, and what are your choices to uphold your desired image or reputation?

Most of us have multiple internal agendas that shape our decisions and how we show up and are seen by others and ourselves. Our values, fears, and burdens, internally and externally, drive us.

When we place our worth and safety solely in the hands of others, we go to great lengths to hold on to how we want to be perceived. Lengths that too often leave a wake of chaos, abuse of power, manipulation, and betrayal–all to maintain the illusion of control.

We need more leaders who give us hope and reverence for humanity and others. These leaders do the work to build their capacity for discomfort so that they can lead with conviction, humility, and a deep sense of connectedness bigger than their personal ambitions or fears.

Joining us today is a guest who embodies the principles we discuss on this podcast. Dee Kelley is a leader who leads with love and compassion, demonstrating the power of these qualities in leadership. Our conversation with Dee is a reminder that compassion and empathy are not signs of weakness, but rather, tools for personal growth and resilience.

Selden “Dee” Kelley is a lifelong learner and a beacon of knowledge. With five degrees, his academic prowess is unmatched. He served 18 years as the Pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in San Diego, demonstrating his deep understanding of faith and its intersection with personal development.

A driving force in his life is to help others discover the rich guidance that dream work can provide for their journey toward health and wholeness. He now helps people connect with the power of their dreams as a pathway toward new insight, better decision-making and improved creative thinking.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• Why Dee wanted to open a conversation about the relationship between the LGTBQIA+ community and the church, and why he has no regrets despite the consequences
• How Dee came to realize that the things he feared in others were invitations for learning and growth
• Why we need to commit to having hard conversations even when we don’t know the outcome
• How a strong sense of values and identity apart from his position in the church softened the loss of his role and credentials
• How Dee’s case sits in the larger context of faith communities grappling with and declaring how they will relate to LGBTQIA+ communities

Learn more about Dee Kelley:

• Website
• Instagram: @drdeedreamscoach

Learn more about Rebecca:

• rebeccaching.com
• Work With Rebecca
• Sign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader Email.

Resources:

• The Daring Way™
• EP 02: How Self-Leadership Saves You From The Relentless Drive To Succeed with Dr. Richard Schwartz
• A Hope For Change
• Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, Matthew Walker
• Astrid
• Women Talking