LEADERS ARE PROBLEM-SOLVERS
- A leader can give up anything – except final responsibility.^19
- Look at the word responsibility – “response-ability” – the ability to
choose your response. Highly proactive people recognize that responsibility.
They do not blame circumstances, conditions or conditioning for their
behavior. The behavior is a product of their own conscious choice,
based on values, rather than a product of their conditions, based on
feeling...^20
- ...“We want a king over us. Th en we will be like all the other
nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fi ght
our battles.” (1 Samuel 8:19-20)...Not wanting to bear their share
of responsibility for the future of their children, they sought a king to
do all the thinking and planning and fighting for them. They didn’t
want a leader to ask them what they thought, to inspire sacrifice
and commitment in them, or to expect participation and creativity
from the ranks. They wanted a magical leader to usher in an age of
fantasy, not one of purpose and achievement. And for this, they were
prepared to offer themselves and their children upon his altar...^21
- Anytime we think the problem is “out there” that thought is the
problem.^22
- Decision-making and problem solving go hand in hand. The ability
to make good decisions and solve problems effectively is among the
most important skills a leader or manager can acquire.^23
- Throughout human history the improper handling of conflicts has
destroyed marriages and friendships, dissolved business partnerships
and corporations, caused the downfall of great leaders and political
empires, and sparked wars.
It is clear then, that conflict is a potentially dangerous phenomenon
capable of destroying the effectiveness of any organization or leader.
Scripture vividly describes the destructive potential of conflict. “If
you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you
will be destroyed by each other” (Gal. 5:15).^24
- Conflict creates divisions within the organization. Unresolved
conflict is the cause of every church split, labor strike, and divorce.
Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined,
