Motives
Motives
If you’ve followed me for very long, you know I tend to write hopeful things. I’d much rather encourage than warn.
But every now and then, a lesson is too important to ignore.
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned as a leader is that everyone has motives. Every opinion, recommendation, criticism, and piece of advice is being driven by something. Sometimes that motive is noble. Sometimes it comes from genuine concern, wisdom, or love.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
The challenge is that motives are almost never announced. People tell you what they think. They rarely tell you what is driving those thoughts.
As leaders, we should seek feedback. In fact, I believe the best leaders actively pursue it. But I’ve also learned that one of the quickest ways to make a poor decision is to build it on a single perspective.
One person may genuinely want what is best for the organization. Another may want what is best for themselves. Someone else may only see one small part of a much larger picture.
Then there is another layer.
Sometimes the person giving you advice has completely honorable intentions. They honestly believe what they’re saying. Yet the perspective they’re sharing didn’t begin with them. It was planted by someone else whose motives were very different.
Motives have a way of traveling from person to person.
That is why discernment is so important.
Proverbs reminds us, “The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.”
Over the years, I’ve watched good leaders make costly decisions because they heard one voice instead of many. They weren’t misled by lies as much as they were limited by perspective.
The answer isn’t to become cynical. It’s to become discerning.
Listen carefully. Invite different viewpoints. Ask good questions. And before making an important decision, ask one more:
What might be driving this perspective?
The answer may have far more influence on your decision than the words themselves.
If this made you think, share it with someone who leads others.
#FirstLight #Leadership #Wisdom #Discernment #Character #Perspective #Faith