Leading Out Of Weakness
Most people see leadership as a position of superiority; not only in their placement in the chain of command, but also in their capabilities and effectiveness. The expectation to be better than those they lead, has caused many leaders to deny their weaknesses and to hide behind a mirage of confidence. The reality is that leadership doesn’t exempt one from the stresses, temptations and trails of life. Dan B. Allender, in his book, “Leading With A Limp”, said: “The most effective leaders don’t rise to power in spite of their weaknesses; they lead with power because of their weaknesses.”
Weakness is normally seen as negative. It can refer to physical disablement, social or racial stigmatic classification, emotional instability, financial lack, etc. In short, weakness means that we just don’t have what it takes. Because of a self-awareness of one’s weaknesses, many have not aspired to leadership. They have chosen to live in a comfort zone, where everything is predictable and controlled. The fear of uncertainty, pain, loss, failure and rejection, has caused many to try to opt for a life in an artificial, climate-controlled box where they feel safe. But this is not real life. We all must battle with sin, die to “people pleasing” and selfish ambitions and confront fear. Real life is unpredictable and we are fragile beings.
Thomas A. Edison said that our greatest weakness is in giving up. He said that the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. Nelson Mandela said: “I have learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”How does one conquer fear? You don’t wait until you have no fear. You just do it afraid. The impossible only exists until it is done. A child sitting at the top of a slide may feel fear and may sit there for a long time, but the moment he goes down the slide, his fear is gone and he wants to repeat the experience over and over again.
When was the last time you felt excited about not knowing what would happen next? If you are locked into your comfort zone, it may be a long time. It is ok to be weak, but it isn’t ok to settle for mediocrity. God has called us to be leaders. To influence others to greatness. Our weakness shows us that we are neither sovereign, omniscient nor invincible. In other words, we are not in control, we don’t know everything, and we can be stopped. Being weak means that we desperately need God. And that is not a bad place to be.
To lead out of a place of weakness, you must get out of your comfort zone. Daniel was out of his comfort zone as a slave in Babylon and yet he rose to being second only to the king. Esther was out of her comfort zone in Persia, being of a race that was despised and persecuted, yet she rose to be queen. Joseph was sold as a slave in Egypt and spent years in jail on false charges, yet rose to become the Prime Minister of the entire kingdom. I am sure they all would have preferred an easier way to the top. But they learned that in their weakest hour God showed His strength. Your weakness can be your testimony. Don’t let your past hold you back. Don’t let fear stop you from going forward. Do it afraid. Say “yes” more often. Volunteer. Be spontaneous. Get out of that comfort zone and be the leader God has called you to be. If you fall, then get back up again. Tomorrow is a new day.
Scriptures to meditate on:
II Cor. 12.5, 9-10; Eph. 4.1-2; Prov. 24.16; I Tim. 4.12; 6.11-12; II Tim. 1.7