Over the course of the last few months, something has become apparent to me: every leader has great battles. After reading blogs and articles, it appears that those battles are very broad. This week we are going to explore the battles that leaders face.
Battle #1: PRIDE
I’ve yet to meet a great leader that has not or does not struggle with pride. It creeps in almost unnoticed as we go about our daily lives. We’re leaders, and leaders have successes. Those successes lead to feelings that we can do it alone – that we’ve been doing it alone. We forget about the other leaders around us. We forget about the support that we’ve received along the way.
We begin to focus on other things. We focus on the number of people we’re getting there on the weekend, instead of the God who’s drawing them. We focus on the number of people that are reading our blog, instead of the way that God can use us to help those people. We focus on the “opportunities” that come our way instead of the God who sent them or the people who requested them. We just get messed up about ourselves!
But the Bible deals with pride and a few verses in Proverbs will show us how to fight it.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Proverbs 16:18-19
Some thoughts on pride:
- Get it under control or it will lead to your disgrace. Humility brings wisdom but pride will allow others to see you for who you really are. If you are humble, “you will be exalted.” If you are full of pride, you are on the way down.
- You have a problem with pride if you are arguing with others a lot. You can’t see it, so start by asking your spouse. You have a need to always be right. Develop the ability to listen. Seriously, just shut up every once and a while (advice for me). Other people are right….often!
- In the long-run, you are better off to be a nobody than full of pride. If you never lead a “great” ministry or write a blockbuster book, you may be better off. If God cannot entrust you with His successes, you will believe they are about you and take a great fall. Just be nobody – God doesn’t do well with those who steal His glory.
If you do not struggle with pride, what do you attribute it to? If you struggle with pride, how do you attempt to contain it?
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Another thought is that if you are the leader and you intentionally segregate yourself from your staff, and try to make it a one person show there may be some pride there as well. Being able to include part of your staff in some or all of a decision is a strength, ultimately the choice is the leaders, but allowing others to be a part of the process in making that choice is empowering and wise.
[...] Pride. Fear. Every leader battles with them. And if those two did not beat you up, welcome to Battle #3. I’ve written on it before here. [...]