Day: November 17, 2016
Leaders Maximize Potential by Forgiving Mistakes
Leadership Failures
It’s interesting when leaders fail. Commentary seems to come from all corners. In fact, a Google search on leadership failure yielded 1,170,000 results. Much of the commentary boils down to relational failures like a toxic culture, a lack of teamwork, no flexibility and too much control.
What’s interesting is that leadership failure does not discriminate by industry. There are as many failed pastors as there are corporate CEOs. In fact, hundreds of pastors are terminated each month. At least part of that failure is due to conflicts, disappointment and even bitterness towards people who have failed them in some way.
A Lesson from Les Miserables
It reminds me of Victor Hugo’s classic, Les Miserables, a moving story about the healing power of forgiveness and destructive nature of vengeance. Valjean is released after a 19-year sentence for stealing bread. He’s homeless and bitter until a kindly bishop provides food and lodging. But Valjean hasn’t changed, so he steals his silverware and flees. Caught by the police, the Bishop covers for him and tells them it was a gift.
The Bishop’s grace transformed this hardened criminal. Valjean gives up his bitterness, moves away and begins to lead a transformed life. Unfortunately, a police oversight alleges that he violated parole, and vengeful inspector Javert pursues and finds him. To escape, Valjean flees to Paris. To his dismay, Javert follows. The story takes an interesting twist as Valjean helps Javert escape from some revolutionaries.
Contrast Between Grace and Vengeance
The story shows the stark contrast between a man transformed by grace and one controlled by vengeance. Eventually Valjean’s kindness overcomes the inspector’s lack of forgiveness and Javert commits suicide rather than respond in kind. In this sense, forgiveness is as much about leaders giving up their right to vengeance as it is about forgiveness. Javert could not forgive, and it eventually destroyed him.
Today when mistakes are made inside organizations, CEOs, Pastors or key managers sometimes act like Javert. They refuse to give up their right to vengeance. Instead of forgiving, they get angry, demand justice and make the offenders pay. Of course, payment can be extracted in many ways including hurting careers, assaulting character or even excluding people in a spiteful way. But that’s not leading.
Forgiving Leaders Help Maximize Success
Leadership success demands that leaders recognize that people have flaws and sooner or later they will make mistakes. Modern day Javerts who fix blame and not problems are incapable of inspiring others to greatness. They may wield power and control, but how long can fear and intimidation incentivize employees or motivate church members?
In our church leadership consulting, we convey to pastors that leadership is about maximizing the potential of followers. That requires leaders to give those followers freedom to take risks and make mistakes. They shouldn’t have to pay every time they try something that fails. Like the Bishop, leaders transform followers and maximize their potential, by forgiving and having at least some tolerance for mistakes. It is only when they do so, that people feel safe enough to trust them and take risks in ways that advance the organization. Forgiving and empowering leadership styles are key church growth tools.
Forgiveness Distinguishes True Leadership
Forgiveness builds trust and cohesion because it draws people together. Leaders who understand this can move past mistakes and focus on using the combined talents of their people. And after all, that’s really what advances organizations and distinguishes leaders from power wielders.
