I grew up the oldest of four kids. So much of my instinct is to lead…uh-hum…to be bossy. As an adult, this instinct has often butted up against my non-instinct to follow. About 14 years ago, I was hired by “XYZ Company,” and had a female boss. We’ll call her, “Loca.” If we would compare her, to my current boss, Pastor David, the two couldn’t be any more opposite. Their only common denominator was they were both leading me. I have been working for Pastor David for about two years. I worked for “Loca” for one month. Pastor David hasn’t fired me yet. “Loca” fired me after 30 days. What I didn’t do well under “Loca’s” leadership was follow well. I didn’t pray for her, I didn’t pray for our work-relationship. I didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt. I didn’t turn the other cheek. I didn’t posture myself to serve, even when she was being mean. I didn’t keep silent about her to my coworkers. Though I was fired for unmerited reasons, I can say that there was a great lesson to be learned. When it comes to our workplace strife, before we accuse anyone of bad leadership, look within, and ask ourselves if there’s any bad followship. 🙂
I had the education to be a Superintendent of schools and an administrator. I didn’t because I knew that regardless of what one did, one would be criticized. Additionally, certain types of leadership roles require such compromises that it appears to be corrupt. It may not be, but it appears to be. We are not there yet to not require leadership, but to just lead ourselves. Organizations require it and they build in the failure of their leaders…some are just better at pretending they are succeeding than other. Some do have some small successes that appear huge. But no one, no one succeeds as a leader who makes everyone happy. It’s impossible; that’s why many do not seek out those roles and why those who do seek them out do it always for money, not necessarily to make a difference. It’s a rare bird indeed who does that…to bring about reform…which is another impossibility…but at least that individual who wants to try reform, does it for more altruistic and self-aggrandizing purposes than not. Either way…it’s something not taken into easily and there is no reward except monetary.
I had the education to be a Superintendent of schools and an administrator. I didn’t because I knew that regardless of what one did, one would be criticized. Additionally, certain types of leadership roles require such compromises that it appears to be corrupt. It may not be, but it appears to be. We are not there yet to not require leadership, but to just lead ourselves. Organizations require it and they build in the failure of their leaders…some are just better at pretending they are succeeding than other. Some do have some small successes that appear huge. But no one, no one succeeds as a leader who makes everyone happy. It’s impossible; that’s why many do not seek out those roles and why those who do seek them out do it always for money, not necessarily to make a difference. It’s a rare bird indeed who does that…to bring about reform…which is another impossibility…but at least that individual who wants to try reform, does it for more altruistic and self-aggrandizing purposes than not. Either way…it’s something not taken into easily and there is no reward except monetary.
AMEN!
I know I’m guilty of being a bad follower. I’m currently praying for a friend of mine’s boss who is making life difficult. It gives us both peace to know God is working in all our lives!
Great post.
AMEN!
I know I’m guilty of being a bad follower. I’m currently praying for a friend of mine’s boss who is making life difficult. It gives us both peace to know God is working in all our lives!
Great post.
there is a great book on followership by Tony cooke called In Search of Timothy. Totally changed my perspective! In fact I made it the required reading for the Leadership class in our Bible School. Until you learn to be a good follower, you can never be a great leader! Great post!
there is a great book on followership by Tony cooke called In Search of Timothy. Totally changed my perspective! In fact I made it the required reading for the Leadership class in our Bible School. Until you learn to be a good follower, you can never be a great leader! Great post!