And humble yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:21)
A gentle-tempered man reads a book on how to be assertive. Then he decided to start practicing it at home. So he burst into the house, pointed at his wife's face, and said, "I'm the boss here from now on, so you have to do what I say. I want you to prepare good food and bath water for me. Then, when I'm done eat and shower, guess who will dress and comb my hair." "Funeral clerk," replied his wife.
King Rehoboam tried a similar assertiveness. However, it actually made the Israelites turn against him.
When he ascended the throne, the people demanded a reduction in the tax burden. The older advisers urged him to meet the demands of the people, but his younger friends advised him to be more assertive than his father. Because he followed the advice of his friends, as a result ten of the twelve tribes of Israel separated and formed a new kingdom (2 Chronicles 10: 16,17).
Good leaders don't rely on assertiveness to dominate -- whether at home, at church, or at work. Instead, they balance that assertiveness (which isn't really wrong) with the principle of humbling one another (Ephesians 5:21). They listen with respect, admit their mistakes, show a willingness to change, and combine gentleness with firmness. That's humble leadership, and it works! --Herb Vander Lugt
LEADERS WHO DESERVE TO LEAD
ARE THOSE WHO HAVE LEARNED TO SERVE
ARE THOSE WHO HAVE LEARNED TO SERVE
*) Take from Daily Meditation