A Self-Assessment: Are You Leading in Honesty?
One of the most powerful books I’ve read for pastors lately is the book “Replenish: Leading from a Healthy Soul” by Lance Witt. I highly recommend it for any leader, but especially for pastors.
In Chapter 38, Witt gives some questions for leaders to self-assess whether we are leading in honesty or leading in fear. It’s a sobering assessment.
A few times, I added the words in parenthesis. The last three are my additions.
Take a few minutes and answer these questions. Honestly:
- How many times have I held back in a meeting because I was afraid of what others would think?
- How often have I found myself saying things I don’t believe just to be polite (or popular)?
- How often have I seen something that isn’t right but didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to cause trouble (or face conflict)?
- How often have I seen someone about to make a bad decision and said nothing?
- How many times have I sat silent while the big elephant in the room is ignored?
- How many times have I participated in gossip about a team member rather than having the hard, honest conversation with him or her?
- How many times have I tolerated inappropriate and hurtful behavior because I wasn’t willing to have the hard conversation?
- How often do I stretch the truth to make me look better than I really am?
- How many times do I pretend to be someone I’m really not just so I can feel more popular?
- How often do I hide my hurt and pain to appear strong?
Wow! Hard questions.
How’d you do?
