I’m Mad!
Posted on December 28, 2010 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.
It's not uncommon to be hurt, or rubbed the wrong way by a leader you serve under. Leaders are not perfect - and how you handle a hurtful situation will speak volumes about your character. When a leader has done something that you believe is wrong, you have three options:
Remain Silent
Complain to others
Talk to your leader about it
- Lets look at these options:
OPTION #1 REMAIN SILENT - While this may seem honorable, this option is dangerous. This approach actually undermines true autenticity - and can cause you to develop a spirit of self-righteous pride (and allow resentment to build in your heart.) In addition, if a leader's actions are truly wrong, not addressing the issue allows that blind spot to persist in their "leadership character." In the long run, remaining silent only hurts you and the leader. Solomon writes in Proverbs 10:18 “He who conceals hatred is a liar.” Be careful - your silence may not be as honorable as you think.
OPTION #2 COMPLAIN – For many, this is the easist option to choose when wronged. However, complaining to others only spreads discontent and division. Even the most subtly expressed complaints can undermine the authority of your leader - and weaken the unity of the tream. In reality, when you speak negatively about others, it diminishes peoples confidence in your character... for what are you saying about them... Proverbs 16:27-28 “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and gossip separates close friends.”
OPTION #3 TALK TO THEM - This is the hardest of the three options, thus is usually avoided. Though least chosen, it is the best optinon because this leads toward true reconciliation and restoration. When an issue is addressed with a gentle and humble spirit, most often a healthy and productive discussion will result. Proverbs 27:6 “faithful are the wounds of a friend.”
* Are you hurt? Offended? What are you going to do about it?
(Adapted from MacLake online.)
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