If we take leadership at its core, everyone at some point is a leader. You become a leader by position, power, age, experience, etc. Someone at some point is going to follow you. There is so much that goes into the making of a great leader. I want to offer these five principles as something to remember along that journey.
1. Nobody’s Perfect
Isn’t it interesting how we can say “nobody’s perfect” over and over, but treat people as if they should be perfect? We get so upset when someone does something wrong, but when we do it, we want immediate forgiveness. Take driving for instance; if we unknowingly cut someone off in traffic, we are so sorry when we realize what we did. We try to apologize. We mouth the words and exaggerate the facial expressions hoping they know we are sorry. However, when we get cut off, we are immediately upset, honking the horn. We cannot believe that someone has just endangered our life and everyone in the car. They should be paying more attention to their driving.
In leadership, we will find that those we are leading will make mistakes. We must assume the best. Assume that their intentions were good, and they will learn from this mistake. It does not mean that we ignore the mistake. It is all about the attitude, or heart, in which we address the mistake.
2. Including Me
Sometimes it is easier to see the speck in someone else’s eye and miss the plank in our eye. We too will make mistakes and must not go around as if we are perfect. We must be willing to acknowledge those mistakes. People are drawn to those who admit and carry themselves as imperfect people.
Of course, when we make mistakes, we cannot beat ourselves up for those mistakes. Mistakes may be seen as failures, but failures help get us one step closer to success.
3. Everyone Needs Forgiveness
Realizing people make mistakes and forgiving those mistake are two different things. Forgiveness is not ignoring the mistake. It is bending down, lending a hand, and helping someone who made the mistake back up. A leader has to be willing to help those who make mistakes. It may mean helping them personally or providing the additional resources they may need to be successful. Those resources may mean more personnel or different personnel, it may mean a providing a resource or someone from the outside, or it may simply mean more education. They need to know that you are there for them. People who work in environments where they know they will still have support when they make mistakes will take more risks and be more productive.
4. Including Me
Again, it is one thing to acknowledge a mistake, but seeking forgiveness from the people you have offended takes it to another level. Yes, we begin by admitting we have made a mistake. Then we must say we are sorry and seek forgiveness. When we truly humble ourselves like this, people will be willing to follow you anywhere.
5. Remember the Moses and David Effect
The leadership of Moses and David has always intrigued me. Both men are considered two of the greatest leaders in Israel’s history. Moses led over a million people from slavery in Egypt back to their homeland. David rose to power from a simple shepherd boy to become King of Israel, one of the greatest nations in that time of history. However, both David and Moses faced opposition during some their most influential times. We see multiple times during the Israelites journey from Egypt that they grumbled against Moses. Despite the amazing miracles, Moses organization of the families, the established justice system, and the protection they had received, they continued to find things to complain what Moses was doing. In fact, his own family members, Miriam and Aaron, spoke out against him. David also did some incredible things for the Israelites. While he was running from Saul, he gathered a group of men in which the numbers continued to grow, helped the people in the areas they stayed, and increase his followers own personal wealth. These men would do anything for David. They would even lay down their lives for him. Even in all this greatness, there was a point where his men wanted to kill him (I Samuel 30:6).
The Moses and David effect is a reminder to us that even in our best days and possibly at the height of our leadership, we will have times where our closest associates, friends, colleagues, and/or family will question our leadership. They may even want us out of the leadership position we hold. It happens to the best leaders.
(As a side, when Moses and David found themselves in these dark leadership positions, you will find that both of them turn to God and found comfort in him.)
In life, work, and leadership, we will all make mistakes. The only way we won’t is if we are not growing. That in itself is a mistake. As a leader, it is important to handle these times properly with forgiveness. By creating a climate where mistakes are okay and forgiven, you will find that those who follow you will be more committed to you and your cause. However, don’t be surprised if, during the greatest of times, you find individuals closest to you who do not support you. Keep in mind it has happened to the best and turn toward God.
Thank you.
