Leadership

It is funny, we all strive to raise children that grow into leaders. I remember being groomed and trained for leadership my whole school career. I was labeled a leader and great things were expected of me. It is only in the past, oh 5 years maybe, that I have realized the most essential element of leadership. Wanting what is best for all involved, even if that means I don't get my way. As a matter of fact, leaders seldom get their way. Why wasn't I trained about that?

Since serving on the PATCH board this year, I have really learned alot about serving/leading people on a corporate level. It is an education that is painful. Here are the highlights:

• You really can't please everyone.
• The blame game is alive and well.
• There are no *perks*.
• Some people are best ignored.
• Some people enjoy keeping the sh*t pot stirred. (They are known as turds.)
• There is that one person who could do everything so much better than anyone else...if they had the time. However, they have no time.
• Enforcing rules delicately is an oxymoron.

I could go on and on, but I won't-it's depressing!!

Things I am thankful for:

• Friends who encourage me to be the best me that I can.
• There are still people who step up into leadership positions, knowing what they are in for.
• To mentor and to have been mentored.
• I am thankful for having a very sensitive nature coupled with brassy boldness even though it gets me into trouble daily.
• The guidelines God gives us for dealing with conflict. How much easier the world would be if we all followed these guidelines!!

Matthew 18:15-17

15. If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 17. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector.

I wish I could say that I always follow these guidelines. I don't. But I try. After this learning season, I try even harder. Gossip kills but grace and compassion give new life, abundantly.