Avoiding Negative Leadership
You’ve probably encountered a leader before, and perhaps even a religious one, who is controlling in a negative sense. By this, I mean a person who might have some of the following traits:
- Does not focus on, or actively prevents, creating future leaders.
- Avoids or quashes questions he does not like.
- Prevents free association of others.
- Does not encourage gatherings.
- Is not involved in the lives of his charges, or is otherwise aloof.
- Shows favoritism based on subservience and/or controls who may be heard.
- Is not able to or refuses to explain his belief set and actively prevents anyone from doing so.
- Prefers that others leave or be ejected from the organization rather than trying to improve dynamics.
- Is ok that his organization die because “all organizations eventually die.”
- Tightly controls information. As an example, tables discussions he does not like and then brings them up in emails he creates, perhaps even with all other members of the organization BCCd.
- Backs down and is kind enough when required, but only until full control is re-established.
In such cases, you have actually not encountered a leader, but rather a dictator. In opposition to this, I am reminded of God’s leadership (and being much more than a leader), who said, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) Or perhaps more saliently, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
The best leaders offer insight; they do not incite. They push people to grow up; they do not beat them down. They help those around them actualize themselves and have a ready response to those who confuse or accuse, and they are upright in their ways. They understand that assault is not leadership, and that exerting pure force eventually ends in destruction.
It’s easy to dislike people who are more dictator than leader, but we have to watch ourselves very carefully to make sure that we don’t become just what we dislike. In my experience, people often develop such leadership styles not when they are the most knowledgeable, but rather when they are filled with uncertainty. Their character is a reflection of that. When one has a firm foundation and is excited for one’s convictions, every question becomes a blast to answer, and you want people to know. One’s heart burns within oneself!
But when one is filled with uncertainty, it can be tempting to simply avoid questions. To prevent discussions. Yet there is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is a proof against all argument, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance – that principle is condemnation before investigation. Instead, we should seek the truth, which does not fear examination. We should be curious. We should be interested in answering questions, even if we have to research the answer first, rather than being fearful.
After all, if you cannot question your own beliefs, then you do not possess them; they possess you.
