...................................................................................................................................................................
Learning to lead in
crisis
If there was ever a time for your life to make a lasting contribution,
it is now. Will you rise to the challenge?
by Richard Blackaby
I
love history. My children believe that proves I am as boring as the color
beige. It’s not that I get worked up about dates, meetings and documents.
What
fascinate me are people who made a difference. Their world was one way when
they entered the scene and it is another, better way, when they exit.
Some
people leave their world in worse shape. Many leave it in the same condition.
But true leaders leave the premises knowing they made the lives of others
better.
In
recent years, the role of a leader has been tarnished.
Today
many people seek such roles because they pay the most money, or carry the
greatest prestige, or so they can prove a point about their sex, race or sexual
orientation.
Because
people have clutched leadership positions in order to better themselves,
society has witnessed some horrific scandals.
We
are no longer shocked when high-ranking officials fall from power due to moral
or ethical failings.
When
self-centered people hold office, it is only a matter of time until they are
seduced.
The
truth about leadership is that it does not exist for the leader, but for the
led.
Leaders
are largely unnecessary in times of peace and tranquility. In those cases, a
manager will suffice.
But
when people face a seemingly insurmountable problem or crisis, they
instinctively look for a leader.
That’s
the leader’s specialty: moving people from where they are to where they need to
be.
Leaders
solve problems. They help people gain a higher view of life than self-interest.
Society’s
current dilemma is not the problems it is facing, but the leaders at its
disposal with which to address them.
Business
leaders may be more focused on retirement plans than organizational health.
Pastors
are often driven by numerical growth rather than the spiritual growth of their
members.
Leaders
are not being taught that leadership is a sacred trust between them and their
people. As a result, self-promoting people are searching for leadership roles
that cost little and pay much.
Historians
love to evaluate what happened in the past (My kids would suggest they need to
get a life!).
One
of the interesting speculations indulged in each year is evaluating American
presidents.
The
perennial “top five” presidents in these polls are: Lincoln, Franklin
Roosevelt, Washington, Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman.
What’s
interesting about these people is that they all led in times of crisis.
Lincoln
is generally rated as the best leader, but he also led during America’s
greatest crisis.
Franklin
Roosevelt served during the Great Depression and World War II.
Washington
guided the Revolutionary army against the world’s superpower.
Theodore
Roosevelt fought in the Spanish-American War and built the American navy into a
major force.
Truman
led at the close of World War II, decided to use the atomic bomb and presided
over the war in Korea.
These
men faced enormous decisions with no easy answers.
Other
presidents who have traditionally been valued highly have been Reagan, Kennedy
and Jackson.
Reagan
faced down Gorbachev and ended the Cold War. Kennedy stared down Khrushchev at
the brink of nuclear war. Jackson was a celebrated general.
In
each case, conflict and crisis enabled leaders to rise to the occasion.
Of
course, crises don’t compel people to become great leaders. James Buchanan
preceded Lincoln. He could have addressed the problems that Abe did, but he
refused.
As
a result, Buchanan is ranked as one of America’s worst presidents.
Hoover
could have tackled the Great Depression before Roosevelt. These men were given
an invitation to greatness, but they failed to accept.
We
live in an age desperate for leadership.
Government,
business, churches, families and non-profits are all facing herculean problems
that only leadership can fix.
If
there was ever a time for your life to make a lasting contribution, it is now.
Will
you rise to the challenge?
Richard Blackaby. Richard is the president of Blackaby Ministries
International and lives in Jonesboro, Georgia. Richard travels internationally
speaking on spiritual leadership in the home, church, and marketplace as well
as on spiritual awakening, experiencing God, and the Christian life. Richard
regularly ministers to Christian CEOs and business leaders. He has written or
co-authored 33 books including Experiencing God: Revised Edition; Spiritual
Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda;and Experiencing God: Day by Day.
This article was first
published on RichardBlackaby.com. Used with permission from Blackaby Ministries
International.
No comments:
Post a Comment