Leading Change With Diplomacy
The following is an article, quoting the words of Andy Stanley in Ministry Today Magazine:
"Many talented leaders have 'led' themselves right out of a job because their desire to challenge the process was misunderstood, or perhaps even threatening, to those in charge. While on the other side of the spectrum, many skilled leaders have resigned themselves to conform to the status quo, squelching and squashing their natural instincts because there's no obvious opportunity to be who God made them to be.
As leaders, we must keep a sense of diplomacy without shrinking from our scrutinizing nature. When you stop challenging the process, you cease to be a leader and you become a manager.
Not that there's anything wrong with managers. The world needs those too. But it's a different job description from the leader's. And if you cease to challenge, then you have abdicated your true calling and giftedness in the world.
Successful leaders must learn how to alienate the process without alienating the people who created it, or the people who work it faithfully every day."
4 comments:
i've heard these words from you before.
even the second time around i like them.
Good post. I couldn't agree more. So, should refuse to resign ourselves, break out of the status quo, and so be accused of rebelling against our leaders?
I understand that we should "keep a sense of diplomacy," but sometimes you just have to quietly take chances and plead the "sorry, I didn't know. . . noone ever said I couldn't do that" rule.
Of course, if it works, then the Army has to make some tough decisions.
Finding balance is tough.
I'm looking forward to the chance to be myself and try some new things without constant opposition.
I have learned a lot about diplomacy and appreciate the fact that being kind opens doors, when dogmatic zeal can have the opposite effect.
I believe Andy Stanley hit the nail on the head with this article.
Forever learning,
I agree with Mr. Andy. Nobody responds to "I'm the boss" mentalities. Diplomacy makes you choose your words wisely - another thing Mr. Bob Ditter reminded me of!
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