My boss for a few years was a woman I would call a servant leader.  She directed our organization with high expectations and was firm, but was very compassionate.

I recall a meeting one afternoon in which someone confronted her about major changes that had been recently rolled out.  It was a touchy subject that many were in disagreement with, and she was put on the spot. I held my breath for her response.

She gracefully answered the difficult question by acknowledging what information she knew, then reassured us that she was doing the best she could to prevent any significant impact to our organization.

I was impressed with how she dealt with the question on the table. Her facial expression was calm and she spoke kindly, with resolution.

Second Chronicles 10 takes us to the palace of Rehoboam, King Solomon’s son, who has taken over his father’s kingdom.  He is faced with a challenging situation in which the people are crying out for mercy. He needs to decide whether or not to continue the harsh labor that his father imposed on the people.  

The young king turns to two groups of people for advice:

Older and wiser group:  Be kind, please them, give the people a favorable answer.  The reward: they will always be your servants

Younger peer group:  Tell the people that their labor be even heavier and the punishment harsher.

The Bible says that young King Rehoboam rejected the advice of older men even BEFORE he asked his friends their thoughts.  Sounds like he already knew what he wanted to do.

When the people came to realize that their cry for help fell on deaf ears, they revolted. It was at this time, Israel was divided into two: Kingdom of Judah and Kingdom of Israel. Rehoboam’s unjust ruling led to division.

At the end of his life, the Bible says of Rehoboam that God was not important to him; his heart neither cared for nor sought after God.

Working under a harsh boss makes life difficult for everyone.  

But, there is something attractive about kindness. When are you are in a leadership role, and you display an attitude of confidence mixed in kindness, you’ve got yourself some willing followers.    

Regardless of your personality type, compassion will not cost you anything.  The grace that exudes will make you a more powerful and effective leader and will draw people into unity.

~Betsy

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