This past week I was talking with one of our staff and mentioned the thought that true leaders know when to lose. As a leader, there is a temptation to always be right. I mean, you are the leader and everyone expects you to have the best ideas, thoughts and vision. However, there are times when as the leader, your idea may need to take second place to build the team. You losing when you can promotes confidence within the team and values the team as a whole. Leaders who lose strategically allow followers to buy-in. It’s not manipulation – it’s humbling yourself and recognizing that other people and their ideas matter as much as yours do.
Jesus said in Matthew, “The first will be last and the last first.” Often times we spend all of our time trying to be first when the competition for Jesus is last place. Imagine what might happen on your team if you began to listen to others and value their ideas, even if they are less complete or complex than your ideas. They may even get you to the same place ultimately. God would be honored and you would grow in your ability to lead others.
Sometimes leaders need to lose.
Great post, and so true.
I think the discernment of knowing when to lose and when not to lose is one of the most important abilities of a leader. Too far either way (losing on issues that should not be compromised, or winning on issues that build mistrust from the followers), and you’re sunk.
Amen! I agree with Kyle, there is a very delicate balance that has to be weighted..
I heard a short segment on the radio about leaders. They said it is also not easy being a leader. Lots of pressure and scrutiny that your average person does not have to deal with. Also, they are subjected to a lot of stuff that is negative. For example, high level government officials probably know things that would cause most people to lose a lot of sleep. Pastor’s often are subjected to seeing the results of people’s sin because we all run to God when there is trouble brewing!
I was in Kroger’s in Farragut before Christmas and saw mayor Ragsdale and he had a dozen people come up to him in the store! I was surprised to see him in there actually just because of that.
I would say a lot of leader’s jobs are not nearly as glamorous as people might imagine. Everything comes with a price.
Dead on Josh-this is one of the qualities that separates good leaders from great leaders.