What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There, Part 3

July 11, 2011

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on this issue of insecurity in pastor and leaders. Recently, I read something that Mark Batterson (pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC) wrote about the topic:

He wrote:

I think influence and insecurity are opposites.  Insecure leaders don’t hire high competence people thereby limiting their influence.  Their insecurity manifests itself by surrounding themselves with people that will prop up their ego instead of taking things to the next level. It’s the Saul complex. David was his greatest asset, but Saul perceived him as his greatest threat.  If you’re insecure, assets are perceived as threats.

I think this is so true, or at least it’s been my experience. Sometimes the largest barriers to moving to further levels in your leadership have to do with how much you’re willing to release others to THEIR fullest potential, even if it outmeasures YOURS.

Thoughts?

Posted by Paul | Filed Under Anxiety, Emotional health, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Expectations, influence, Insecurity, Leadership, Relationships, success 

Comments

4 Responses to “What Got Us Here Won’t Get Us There, Part 3”

  1. stephen gomez on July 11th, 2011 8:28 am

    so true Paul! I had a conversation and prayer time with someone recently on that very topic. We are somehow afraid of others being “greater” than us by releasing them in our ministries or that somehow we won’t be “the best” we can be if someone else is better! It’s a scary thought process to follow. But when we flush it out and find our true identity and strength in God…..our ministries and others will flourish the way God intended them to be, and that has to be beyond our own strengths and capabilities.

  2. Paul on July 11th, 2011 8:40 am

    I agree Stephen! Thanks for adding to the conversation!

  3. Lisa G Fiedler on July 11th, 2011 2:34 pm

    I agree with the statemen: “If you’re insecure, assets are perceived as threats.” I have experienced that on a personal level within a couple of different jobs. Because of my high work standards and ethics, I’ve had bosses that perceived I was trying to “take their jobs”. When the fact of the matter is usually that, yes, I want your job, but I want to push you on to your bosses job. My goal is never to succeed at the expense of another person.

    It’s difficult to be in that situation, because I can’t succeed in the job when the boss is threatened by me. At that point, it’s time to just take my ball and go home. :-)

  4. Paul on July 13th, 2011 5:45 pm

    Great insight Lisa! Thanks for sharing!

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