Leadership series: Handling Bad Leadership

It is not the position that makes the leader, it’s the leader that makes the position – Stanley Huffty

This year we have focused upon what it takes for us to become good and godly leaders. We have learned together what characteristics we need in our lives to make us effective at leading others in whatever capacity we have been assigned. John Maxwell says that leadership is influence and, the fact is, we can be influenced by good leaders as well as by “bad” ones.
 
There may be important lessons to be learned by considering how we deal with those who are not good leaders. We have all been there. We have all had to work alongside someone who lacks the capacity, compassion, and competence to lead. How well we handle these types of leaders says just as much about our leadership strength and ability as our own skills.
 
I polled the members of our Wednesday Night Small Group and here are some of the ways that we have handled “bad” leaders:

• Always extend grace and try to understand the individual leader
• Go around the person and just get the job done
• Wait for the right moment and confront the person
• Focus on how to respect the leader despite their deficiencies
• Step out on faith and know when it’s time to move on

 These are not perfect solutions, but they have worked for others. Have you tried any of them? Do you have other suggestions? Ultimately, we must prayerfully seek Holy Spirit for guidance and grace about how to lead and how to handle “bad” leaders. Remember, but for the grace of God, we could be on that other side. If you cannot do anything else, take a moment to pray for the leaders around you. Prayer goes a long way.
 
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

Loving and praying for you,
Pastor Danielle