Guest Blog: Brandon Donaldson
Leadership Friction Principle
There is something that hit me while reading Matthew 26:31-74. This is the infamous passage that ends with Peter’s denial of Christ. This is a dark moment in a great leader’s life, but I believe it sheds light on an important leadership principle.
Here are some quick highlights of the passage. Jesus predicts that all the disciples will fall away and that Peter will deny Him. Peter passionately declares his faithfulness to Christ, and all the other disciples follow suit and say the same thing. Peter follows Jesus when He is taken by the guards, and all the other disciples desert Jesus and flee. Peter then denies Jesus, and all the other disciples…well, they were not even there to make the mistake. There it is! I’ll call it the Leadership Friction Principle.
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Leadership Friction Principle:
- Doing what no one else would (following Jesus) put Peter in a position to make a mistake (denying Jesus) that no one else could.
But the flip-side of this principle is true as well…
- Doing what no one else would (standing to preach Jesus’ resurrection in the same place Jesus was condemned) put Peter in a position to experience results (3,000 saved) that no one else could.
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As a leader, you’ll find yourself doing what others have not done and going where others have not gone. In exchange, you must understand that you will make mistakes no else can and feel pains no one else has. Many times this will bring criticism that others don’t have to deal with. Just think of all the attention Peter’s BIG mistakes has gotten him. The great news is that you will also experience victories and joys that no else could.
Be encouraged; embrace the friction; and lead on!
Feeling some friction in leadership? What have you learned about this principle in your leadership?
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It is amazing the change that happened in Peter…
One day he is afraid to be associated with Jesus because he fears his own death… and eventually goes back to fishing… and the next he has been granted the boldness to preach to a crowd mocking him calling him a drunk, and eventually he preaches until they hang him on a cross himself (upside down)…
Now That’s grace… even though its end results for this leader were less than desirable by human terms, he had rewards awaiting him in his eternal home with the one he preached and was crucified for preaching…
what i have experienced would be a lack of leaders willing to have this friction…they do everything they can to avoid ever making a mistake…everything has to be laid out perfect before moving forward…they miss out on the flip side…the 3,000…
great stuff!
So true…its important too for leaders to create an environment in which their staff can be unafraid to own their roles and go where no one else would otherwise go.
I have made mistake after mistake. I am the first off-site campus pastor at my church. Our site is actually the building next door. There are lots of new things that I am learning. Others are making mistakes too and this blog helps me have some patience. I have to understand that we are all in this new place and mistakes are going to be made. Thanks.
B: It goes without saying I have made a ton of mistakes over my 35+ years as a pastor. Recently, my failure (or so I was told) of reacting to accusations made about our youth pastor (wrong teaching) has led a couple to say they are leaving the church. I investigated the incident and found it not true. His lack of anger management caused him to open mouth insert foot. The good thing has been the support I have seen given to me and to the youth pastor by the other leaders. Losing a couple & musician: somewhat costly. Seeing support: priceless.
Great thoughts, Brandon. Even true for a parent! ;)
Brandon, A while back there was a “House” episode where Dr. House was lecturing some med students. He set up a scenario: a dying patient, symptoms could be one of two things. Treat for the wrong thing and the patient dies. A few of the young doctors picked right, and a few picked wrong. Most never made a decision. House’s lesson? If you’re going to be a doctor you have to have the courage to make a wrong choice that could result in someone’s death. As leaders, we are the only ones who will be in the position to make those kinds of choices and must live with the consequences. God must have a lot of faith in us.
Excellent, excellent post!
For me it boils down to risk/reward ratio. Peter was willing to risk and at some points there was no reward (due to a poor risk)and at others there was a large reward (due to a good risk). Peter was a guy who was willing to risk. He got out of the boat when others were afraid too. It is true for me in the ministry in which I serve, if I risk there can be great reward or not but I will never know until I try.
Christ has taught me that putting a hairy leg over the side of the boat brings the best and the most action, through courage, testing and perseverance, which develops my faith and character as a leader. Other’s around me seeing me sweating it out and pushes them to draw out into deeper water. You get the encouraging critiques lol but you know that you can take them a mile further if you don’t get emotional, by becoming less and Him more. It forces you into the throne room of heaven for some peace and intimacy…. If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.” 2Tim2:13
Jon - I think your right. Many people try to avoid the friction.
Chad - Great point! Leader also have the responsibility of allowing and facilitating this in those they lead.
Matt - Patience was the word for me. Thanks.
Bill - thanks for your years of leadership and thanks for sharing
Robin - you are so right. Parents could learn a lot by embracing the friction :)…because they will have it.
Tim - strong picture of the power of the Leadership Friction Principle.
Although difficult, it is nice to see that many others go through this as well. The sharing and discussion are helpful!
…right on with the risk taking. But how about this. So Jesus knew Peter was going to deny Him not only because of the Holy Ghost showing Him - but because He knew the nature of man is to shoot the first thought off the top of our heads. So Peter shoots off at the mouth and ends up stuck and having to back peddle. So knowing how to keep your mouth shut, giving yourself time to think and count the cost… you know, (being slow to speak) will keep us out of some of the unnecessary time wasting jams we get ourselves into.
[...] Posted by robwhittaker on July 1, 2008 Great post on Swerve! [...]
Brandon, thanks for sharing this principle. I shared it with a couple of other pastors and they found it encouraging and true.