Constructive Confrontation
One the greatest challenges for leaders is confrontation. Confrontation that leads to positive results is sadly missing among many. Let’s look at two positive approaches to confrontation.
- Confronting poor motives
- Confronting incomplete thought
Currently I am involved with a group of university students eager to learn how to lead more effectively. As such we are looking at how Jesus led.
Jesus was once approached by a group of men trying to discredit his leadership. They asked a question about heaven, a topic Jesus knew about since that was His home. These men wanted to know which husband a wife would’ve in heaven, if she had multiple husbands on earth. In reality, their question had more to do with a desire for promote themselves. Who could “stump the teacher?” Jesus responded by saying, “You are wrong!” “You do not understand scripture or God’s ways.”
As a leader, there are times when you confront a selfish motivation couched in a desire for knowledge. Leaders who avoid confrontation look for ways to side-step the conversation. Many employ a quick redirect. Yet, selfish motives must be confronted for what they are. Individuals who cannot work with a team for the good of the organization need to be called out. After all, they are wrong.
Another example: confronting incomplete thought. A wealthy man asked Jesus what to do to achieve eternal life. Together, they then discussed which commandments were noteworthy. To the man’s delight, he had kept them all. Then Jesus exposed his incomplete thoughts on achieving the lasting goal. “Sell everything you own and follow Me!” Tough for a wealthy man.
We can learn as leaders that there are times when people put limitations on the commitment they are willing to make. When this comes to your attention, confront it. When you have personnel who want to set new records, achieve greater results, make more money, they usually need to make some changes. More than showing up on time, dressing the part, and keeping the company rules. Love for leisure may be their “wealth”. You cannot keep doing what you are doing and expect greater results.
Who are you leading? How pure are their motives? How deep is their commitment? And you? How do you measure up as a model for them?
for further reading:
Matthew 22:23-33
Matthew 19:16-26