March 8 Leadership Includes Considering Other Perspectives.

The business world is fast paced, and things are changing all the time. Fads come and go, advertising and slogans are constantly moving, and we are always looking for the next move. Think of how many products and services have become new and improved.

They make promises to get the whites whiter and the brights brighter seemingly. But sometimes our motions forward are just wrong. They do not fit our why of our business. We can miss the messages or warning signals that we might encounter before we move down that path.

When we make those errors, we wind up paying the price for them. They can cost profits, reputation and sometimes cause personal damage to people and relationships. If there was an area where you might be going down a path you suspect to be wrong, how would you know?

Could it be in the technology field? Maybe it is in your accounting or your relationships with your team. Being able to discern if you are adjusting while still staying true to purpose is critical.  Sometimes an independent perspective can help the discerning process.

What is the first thing you can do today to audit your purpose and adjustments that need evaluated? Who might you be able to reach out for a discussion?

In our walk to follow Christ we can be tempted in the same way. We think that we know our way to be the correct way. It is like we believe that our interpretation of the facts and history must be right and so we begin acting out according to our interpretation.

It is challenging to consider where our actions and beliefs might not be as loving as Christ wants us to be. Where do you know you are right? Think how your light might not be exhibiting love? If your light shines into a darkroom that is developing film, the light is not being loving. 

If that is the case, how can you show more love? We read in the Bible, that the nation of Israel was on the march and moving toward the land flowing with milk and honey. God had promised them the land. Twelve men were sent to scout the land.

They brought their knowledge back and told the people what they believed to be right. Only two of the twelve were reminding the people what God had said about the land and encouraged them to take it. The crowd chooses the peoples way, the way of the majority.

In the New Testament, Jesus told Peter that he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed twice. Peter said no way. But we know that Jesus was correct. How confident do you think Peter was? Where in your faith walk do you know you are right?

Leadership can require us to take a different perspective. We might ask ourselves if we are using an attitude of love. What is the first thing you can do about it before the rooster crows twice today?

Let us pray, Jesus, you showed so many miracles while you were on the earth.

You shared parables and taught us how to love. But here we are, continuing to act like the generations before us. When our actions are not bringing us closer to you, we know that they cannot be right. Help us to bring you close.

May our thoughts of what is right be measured through your example and by your measuring stick, not ours. Help us to measure twice and cut once, your way. Help us to heal the broken relationships where we have not drawn close to you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,