CORRECTING THEM WHEN NECESSARY…
’ TITUS 2:15 TLB Exemplary leadership (3)It’s hard to lead others further than you’ve gone yourself, especially when you’re more concerned about their reaction than keeping the team on course. Does that mean setting yourself up as ‘the be-all and end-all?’ No, but as a leader it’s impossible to please everybody. If you constantly need approval you’ll end up being controlled by those you’re supposed to lead. Paul recognised this, that’s why he told Timothy: ‘…teach…and encourage your people…correcting them when necessary. You have the authority to do this, so don’t let anyone…disregard what you say’ (Titus 2:15 NLT). Insecure, inexperienced leaders agonise over decisions they suspect will cause unhappiness in the ranks. They feel responsible for other people’s emotional reaction. They fail to realise that when you’re doing what you should be doing and others don’t agree, that’s their problem, unless you allow it to become yours. A mature leader deals with disappointment and keeps a good attitude; he faces the music even when he doesn’t like the tune. Think, as a parent when you warn your children about putting their hand on a hot stove, it’s not your responsibility to make them enjoy hearing it, right? Hopefully, as they mature they’ll understand. But the truth is, some people won’t like hearing ‘no’ regardless of how old they get! However, we all need to hear it from time to time, otherwise we’ll never be happy with anything other than getting our own way. Which means – getting nowhere, or getting into trouble!