Leading Through Mistakes

Being a leader is tough.  We are not perfect, and as much as we don't like the fact… we will make mistakes in leading.   

Being a leader means when you make a mistake, many will see it.  Being a leader means when you mess up, everyone in your group will be affected.  Being a leader means knowing how to handle these situations.

If you are a leader in any type of group, you already know that you cannot please everyone every time, and that sometimes your group just isn't the right fit for someone.

However, you should never let those two truths become a crutch.  You will make mistakes.  You will sometimes be wrong.  How you handle your mistakes and respond to those who point out an issue is what will mark you as a leader.

When someone has a grievance against your decisions or leaves your group, you have two choices: 

hide behind the thought that your group is not a good fit for everyone and that people just like to complain 

- or - 

pray, look at your motives, and seek wise counsel to determine if there was something you could have done differently.   

Often times the issue may have been a miscommunication - one word out of place or misunderstood.  Sometimes it is just a misunderstanding.

Yet there are times when you were simply wrong.  You could have come about implementing your decision a different way.  You could have 'asked' instead of 'told.'  You may have made a decision within a vacuum.  You may have been going down the wrong path. You may have spoken out of turn.

Seek out godly counsel - not just from those who will always 'have your back,' but also from those who will tell you their honest opinions and who will speak the truth of the Word in your situation.  As leaders we all need those people who are confident enough in their roles that they will speak up and show us another side of the issue.  We need more of those who speak truth in love than the 'yes men.'  

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel." - Proverbs 12:15 (NASB)

Seek out a selection of advisors, not just one or two.  Friends make great confidants.  However, some friends will only say what makes us feel good or they will agree with our every decision.  A true friend will point out when you are wrong.

"Without consultation  plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed." - Proverbs 15:22 (NASB)

What do you do when you are wrong?  You should apologize in the same manner as you made the mistake.  If you made a mistake privately, go to the person privately to make amends.  If you publicly made a mistake, publicly admit you messed up and ask forgiveness.  If the mistake was in writing (such as a newsletter), the admission should be in writing.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also have forgiving you."  - Ephesians 4:31-32 (NASB)

No one ever wants to be wrong in their decisions, words, or actions.  However, confession and redemption are not signs of weakness… they are a sign of strength.  A sign of a true leader.

"A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them." - John C. Maxwell, author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and Developing the Leader Within You