I’ve been doing this leadership thing for as long as I can remember. I’ve discovered how making and implementing difficult decisions is one of the hardest and most painful things we do.
Whether it’s church discipline, trying to help people experiencing financial hardship, or identifying and addressing unacceptable behavior, making and implementing difficult decisions is, well, “difficult” and not much fun.
It’s just plain hard. It’s hard to tell someone the decisions they’ve made in their life have resulted in their predicament. Or, repeated bad behavior and poor judgment have consequences that are unpleasant for everyone involved.
But, the challenge and difficulty of a decision is no excuse for avoiding or ignoring it. It’s got to be done, and as a leader, it’s your responsibility.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind …
- The Long-Term Health Of The Church – Remember that the decision you are making or the action you’re taking is in the church’s best interest. If issues aren’t identified and addressed promptly, the church can be affected. As a leader, you must make and implement the decisions that will protect the church.
- The Long-Term Health Of The Individual(s) – Most often, although painful at the time, the decision you’re making is in the best interest of the individual(s) involved. It may not “feel” like it at the time, but the individual(s) will be better off due to your honest and open communication and action-taking. You know … it’s like a pill that’s hard to swallow.
- The Long-Term Health Of You – Yes. It’s important to keep this one in mind. Chances are, the decision you are making and implementing as a leader will help you in the long run. Whether it be a staff member that needs to move on or some other unpleasant circumstance, once it’s done, your life will be a lot easier.