The Inspired Leader: 101 Biblical Reflections for Becoming a Person of Influence (45 page)

Clarence Otis

Chairman and CEO, Darden Restaurants, Inc.

WE LIVE IN a time of increasing division and contention. It is a time when, more and more, we see people disparaging (and even demonizing) those of different circumstances and points of view—whether the similarities and differences in perspective have to do with personal temperament, cultural and social background, vocational and professional training, or some combination of these. People seem more deeply wedded to their own opinions about today’s social, political, and moral issues and more angrily hostile toward those who hold a different viewpoint, even on complicated matters that are far from black and white.

In his letter to the Church at Corinth, Paul addressed a group of believers who were struggling with petty disagreements and offenses. These too were based, to a large degree, on differences in personality and background, and echo the disunity we have today. Paul challenged the Corinthians to refrain from placing too much stock in their own opinions or in the views of people generally, saying, “
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”
(1 Corinthians 1:20).

Paul disavowed his own opinions as well, glorifying instead the wisdom of God, telling the Corinthians, “
My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God,
” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). He admonished those in the church at Corinth who had aligned themselves with this apostle or that, telling them, “
For when one says ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor is he who waters, but God who gives the increase
” (1 Corinthians 3:4-7).

Paul pointed out that each Christian is, in fact, unique, with different gifts. He explained that these disparate gifts were intended to work together for God’s purpose: “
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body
” (1 Corinthians 12:8-13).

Paul gloried in the fact that God created people uniquely. Each person has unique gifts, strengths, insights, perspectives, and concerns. When God brings people together, it is so He can allow people to work together for His purpose. If God delights in diversity, why do we make our differences a source of such discord? Why do we hold fast to our own opinions and remain unwilling to subject them to constructive criticism and, perhaps, improvement by others—even when those others are fellow Christians? Is it because we have too much love for ourselves and not enough for others? Does Paul capture us and the self-righteous, close-mindedness we can exhibit when he says, “
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal”
(1 Corinthians 13:1).

There’s no doubt that important matters are at issue today. Is that sufficient reason, though, for us to retreat into our own viewpoint and reject those with different perspectives that may reflect their unique positioning in the Body of Christ? Is such rejection not a sign of too much self-love and too little love for thy neighbor? Through Paul, God teaches that we stand a better chance of discerning His will when we love others and respect and take their perspectives and concerns seriously. If we’re alienated from one another because of our differences, don’t we fail to take advantage of the diversity with which God has blessed us? And with such failure, aren’t we further from, not closer to, discerning God’s will? As believers, we must take care to avoid the social, political, and moral anger percolating around us. We must remember “
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up”
(1 Corinthians 13:4).

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. Are you more concerned with people or with being right? Are you willing to be gracious with people to maintain unity, rather than offending someone in your effort to win an argument?
   

2. Are you an argumentative person? If so, why do you feel the need to always win a debate or get the best of others? Is it difficult for you to build up others, even if it means yielding ground to them in a discussion?
   

3. Do you always distinguish clearly between matters that cannot be compromised and issues that are merely matters of personal opinion? Some issues should be died for. Many matters can be compromised for the sake of harmony. Have you been good at distinguishing between the two?
   

David Fagin

CEO (Ret) Golden Star Mining

UPON ENTERING THE Holy Land which had been promised to Moses, in Joshua 1:6, Joshua instructed the people: “
Be strong, courageous, be careful to obey Moses law, not turning to the right or to the left that you may be successful wherever you go
.” How it must grieve Jesus’ heart that leaders so often fall short of these simple instructions. News stories have recently reported many leaders that have committed great sins, including church leaders, politicians, businessmen, and sports stars, many of whom claim to follow Jesus. Society has become so numbed by such failures, that it is no longer embarrassed or shocked. However, rather than dwelling on these shortcomings, Christian business leaders should redouble their efforts to demonstrate self-control to protect the reputations of both Jesus and themselves from such weakness in character.

In Joshua 1:8, we are told to meditate on God’s word day and night and to obey everything written in it so we will be prosperous and successful ambassadors for Christ. In order to do this, we must walk closely with Jesus daily, absorbing his love, compassion, and strength, and using the same tools that He used to ward off the world’s temptations. Jesus faced the same ones (and more) than we have. Unlike Jesus, we are not perfect and we will fail, some of us often. But because of our love for Him, our faith in the Gospel, and His sacrifice for us, we know we will be forgiven. Those around us can be forgiven too, if they will only repent and follow Him.

In Romans 13:12, we are told to put on the “armor of light” and to behave decently. The apostle Paul provided further instruction to protect us in Ephesians 6:10-17. Paul describes the “full armor of God” in word pictures and encourages us (1) to live in truth, (2) to strive for righteousness, (3) to remain vigilant to maintain peace, (4) to remain faithful to ward off the evil one, (5) to seek salvation in every thought, (6) to listen to the Spirit through the Word, and (7) to remain in prayer at all times while praying that every person and situation will be conformed to the will of God.

As business leaders, we have a unique opportunity to influence the lives of many people. We must choose whether to impact them for good, or for ill. This includes our employees, shareholders, regulators, advisors, suppliers, customers, and competitors. Because of our leadership status, we may also influence those unrelated to our work because of our leadership status such as our family, friends, neighbors, those we meet in industrial or professional associations, and others. How do they view our behavior? What do they think of our character? If they know we claim to be Christian, and yet see attitudes of arrogance, pride, thoughtlessness, and selfishness…they will know us only as hypocrites.

By these passages and many others, it is clear that leaders have a much greater responsibility to God than most of those around us. Luke 12:48 says,
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded
”(NIV). Because it was His plan, God granted and enabled us to attain the positions we hold or have held. We should be grateful for His mercy and generosity and share God’s full blessings with those in our lives. If we don’t, we may unwittingly drive others away from His kingdom.

REFLECT FOR A MOMENT

1. How do you feel about having “responsibility”? Do you see that word as negative or positive? Do you tend to embrace responsibility or to resent it? Why?
   

2. The more God gives us, the more He expects. As you have been given positions of leadership, how have you experienced this truth? Why do you think God does this? Why have so many leaders proven to be irresponsible? What can you do to continue being trustworthy as God increases your responsibility?
   

3. God told Joshua to meditate on His word day and night so he could obey everything God commanded. How is that possible for you to do? What would meditating day and night look like in your life? Why is it important that you do so?
   

Terry Noetzel

Deloitte Consulting LLP

RECALL, IF YOU
would, a recent business trip. Perhaps it was extended…and had its share of challenges. What was it like to be away from home? What was it like to return home, to gather round the dinner table and share that first meal back with your family?

Recently, God has had me camped out in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Certainly, all three characters have much to teach us, but God has focused my attention on the Prodigal.

Notice the Prodigal’s departure: he said to his father
“give me my share of the estate”(NIV);
then the Prodigal gathered all that he had and set off for a distant country. It’s remarkable that a son would demand his inheritance. In reality, he was saying, “Father, I wish you were dead! Since I can’t wait for you to die, just give me all that I have coming after your death, as well as what you need to live on, so I can get out of here.” This is a radical
rejection of the Father. Of course, I would never do that.