One of the privileges I have is getting to meet with and pour into the staff that God has given me the privilege of leading. About once a week I assemble a group of people who do not directly report to me for a time where we discuss leadership issues…they ask questions and I try my best to answer them. (God has placed some REALLY sharp people on this staff!)
One of the questions that often arises is, “What are some the biggest mistakes you would say you’ve made is a leader?” I thought I would take a shot at answering that one on this site…
#1 - Not Listening To The Holy Spirit
There are times that God will give a leader insight that He gives to no one else—THUS the reason for making him the leader. And, in my opinion, THE toughest time to lead is when you KNOW what God has said…but no one else is quite seeing it the way you do.
David faced this in I Samuel 24:1-7 when Saul was “delivered” into his hands. The “leaders” around him were pressing him to make a decision—THEY EVEN HAD BIBLE VERSES to back up their desires…but David just KNEW in His heart what God had said…and he was unwilling to violate that.
THE biggest mistakes I’ve ever made is when God clearly said to do (or not to do) something and I went against His command because I could not get everyone to agree…or because it just didn’t make sense.
#2 - Not Being Who God Called Me To Be
When I first began in ministry I really struggled with being the unique creation that God called me to be. I wasted a ton of time trying to be other people because I was convinced that I could never be the man who I felt was trapped inside of me and was desperate to come out.
God didn’t call me to be anyone but me…and when I try to imitate others rather than gravitate towards the character of Christ uniquely displayed in me…I dishonor my Creator!