Five Temptations All Wounded Leaders Face

Oct 10, 2022

${currentTime}

${durationTime}

Episode Description

As leaders, at some point, we are all going to find ourselves wounded. In that moment, the question is, how do we heal and stay in the game, rather than falling into the temptations which distract us from our purpose as leaders?

1) THE TEMPTATION TO HIDE

Instead of owning our mistakes, we are tempted to want to run away. Running away leads to isolation. Isolation always leads to (further) destruction.

2) SELF DOUBT

At one point or another, we will all make bad decisions. We have two options on how to handle the result of our bad decision – use them as a tool to become better, or let it steal our calling. If we continue to doubt ourselves because of bad decisions we’ve made in the past or fear making future decisions, we will cease seeking God.

3) SEEKING AFFIRMATION IN THE WRONG PLACES

If we are not careful, we can start to seek out only instant affirmation and gratification (think, social media). We can get in a toxic cycle without realizing it, by overestimating the value of outsiders and underestimating the value of those around us.

4) ACCEPTING LESS THAN THE BEST (FROM YOURSELF AND OTHERS)

When you make a bad decision, question your calling, the temptation is to begin to think, "Why even try? Just make something up and go with it" We will start to question our quality of leadership because of a bad decision we’ve made in the past. As a leader, you cannot challenge your team to do their best if you’re not challenging yourself to do your best.

5) TO STOP TRUSTING PEOPLE

When we are wounded, we tend to withdraw ourselves form others. We try to proactively prevent enduring any further pain, by shutting out anyone we think could hurt us.
There is not a leader on the planet that can accomplish the vision God gave them without other people. If you can accomplish it by yourself, it is not a God given vision.

Instead of choosing to shut yourself off to others, we have got to accept that people WILL hurt us. Getting wounded comes with the territory of leadership. When this happens, you have got to work and lead through it.

Episode Resources

Show Notes Download