Just thought I’d share

I had an interesting thought/insight… well I’m not completely sure what to call it just yet. Regardless, I’ll share with you the 2 people who read this. I have heard many times this leadership quote, “If you need them, you can’t lead them.” I have always interrupted this as if you need their resources or what they have, then you can’t lead them. Always making the “need” and tangible thing. You may have heard stories of pastors doing or not doing some thing so not to upset the congregation, thus them not giving in tithes. But tonight I caught on to the fact that quote goes deeper than face value. After a rough interaction with one of our students, I realized that many times in the past I have excused bad behavior because I wanted to be the nice guy. I wanted all our students to be my friend and like me. I needed their acceptance! Bam-o it hit me… I can’t lead them! I think a lot of leaders fall into this trap. We often try to soften the blow of a bad or wrong situation and excuse poor behavior in hopes that we’ll still be friends. If you need their acceptance or friendship so much that your willing to try and soften the truth your in a lose situation. And what makes me laugh at myself and this mind set is the Bible even says, the wounds of a true friend are better than a kisses from an enemy. Proverbs 27:6 If we are to be true friends then there will be times you will wound the other person, and the bible says that’s better than kissing them! It’s the kiss, or the softening of a bad choice that makes you the enemy. That’s exactly what I was trying not to be. We do no good by not holding those around us accountable for their actions and choices. No gray area and no softening the truth. It’s a hard lesson to learn, however it’s necessary. So it’s true, If you need them, you can’t lead them.

p.thad