Lessons from the Journey

As a good leader it is incredibly important to see the need to involve others into making things happen (mainly for me because I am sorely limited).  A quality leader MUST recognize that he/she is unable to do everything on their own... so I need to delegate and trust others to do what they say they will do.  However, if you are anything like me you find yourself incredibly frustrated when you were expecting something to be taken care of and it does not happen as it was stated it would.  So, now there must be follow up and when he/she is approached there are always reasons (some valid and others not) as to why "said commitment" was dropped.   But what do you do when there is a repeated history of excuses?  How should a leader who sees the value in being compassionate, understanding, and flexible yet experiencing the tension of responsibility for accomplishing tasks and maintaining momentum, etc. approach these repeated conversations?  In many cases, excuses are simply misplaced accountability.  In other words, the excuse gets the blame instead of the individual. Here is where I will let you in on somethings I have learned lately:

1. Consider the history of the person
2. Remind yourself leadership is both a privilege and a process
3. Pray for wisdom and discernment to see beyond the moment
4. Temper frustration of the moment with the appreciation of the person
5. Act in best interest of person and organization/church (both mercy and discipline can be in person's best interest).  Don't act until you are able to lead in a direction that you are confident is best for both.  Sometimes best thing for the person is correction.