5 SIGNS OF BAD LEADERSHIP: You can’t ignore them!

It is said that ignorance is bliss. Though this may be true in some aspects of life, it is certainly not desirable in church leadership, nor your business leadership. Bad leadership will create unneeded chaos organizationally, unwanted competition between staff and departments, and undesirable effects on health and morale of the staff and volunteers.

We can all agree that no one wants to be detrimental to the church’s growth and development. And if it easy to spot in another church or ministry, it becomes almost impossible to spot in yours! Jesus was onto something when he said, “How can you think of saying to your friend “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,” when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:4 NLT). It may be easy to overlook your own mishaps when you perceive others are living out disasters.

But since you’re the leader, you will unearth these unsolicited bad signs of leadership you have noticed in your church, ministry or environment. You will bring health to your teams bybringing change and being the catalyst of movement away from these symptoms.

1. Issues with “isms”

The apostle Peter was commanded by the Lord to enter a Gentile’s home, more, a Roman army officer, which was totally forbidden in his mindset. Even if Cornelius was a God-fearingman, Peter wanted nothing to do with him. You can read the story here in Acts 10. Finally, Peter agrees to meet Cornelius and asserts a new belief, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality (Acts 10:34 NASB), favoritism (NIV), to one group of people over another (CEB).” 

Peter had an issue with racism. Arguably, not even willingly. He believed, from the teachings of his upbringing that God’s favor was for him, certainly not for a pagan roman. The Spirit was teaching the early church, and us for that matter, that race should never be an issue. Color of skin is not a problem to be solved or a tension to be managed, it is meant to be celebrated. In this racial tense era we live in, let diversity be a model to live by.

Some have an issue with sexism. When you hear “This is a man’s/woman’s job” or “A man/woman can’t do this”, there is an underlying concern that needs to be dealt with. God shows no favoritism. Biblical history proves that God and the Holy Spirit have worked through man and woman alike. It’s not a matter of being egalitarian or complementarian, it is a question of the heart.

Ageism cannot be ignored either. Ageism is prejudice based on age. As if age matters to our Lord. Abraham was old when he received the promise. God choose a teenager to fight a giant and let him become king. Anna, the first prophet of the new covenant was an elderly woman (Luke 2:36). Joshua was still battle-fit when he was 85 (Joshua 14:11) and Josiah was 7 when he began renewal and revival in Judah (2 Kings 22). Age is not even close to be a factor when God wants to minister to people.

Knowing this, take an honest look at your team. Is it diverse in race, gender and age? Does it represent the community you live in? You do not want to ignore the signs of rampant “isms” on your team. The Holy Spirit wants to channel His gifts through men and women, of all ages and of all cultural backgrounds.

2. There is manipulation instead of inspiration

The line is very fine between the two concepts. Hebrews 10:24 makes such a distinction when it says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” (NLT) Inspiration will spur you into action. Manipulation will guilt you into serving. Inspired people will make a difference by fulfilling their role while manipulated ones may volunteer to fill a hole that was made apparent. Inspiration calls us higher while manipulation shames us lower.

Are you hearing “We need you in our children’s ministry or else,we’ll need to close the environment” or “We are looking for God-loving people who believe raising and teaching the next generation for Christ will impact our church forever”? One is using people, the other is offering opportunity. One fatigues, one strengthens. While one empties the other one fills up.

Take time to read some communications that are sent in your church and look for the language, look for hints of lack of inspiration. Watch some videos your leaders are sending their teammates. Ask around how people are feeling. Are they tired, exhausted or worn out? Manipulation may be present. However, if morale is up, people are energized or even pepped up, your church is inspiring. Ignoring the bad signs would only make matters worse.

3. The players win

There is a moment when brothers John and James told Jesus “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” (Mark 10:37 NLT). Wow, that’s quite the demand if you think a little about it. They played ministry. They wanted the benefits and rewards without the bonds and responsibilities that come with the reality of ministry.

A fine player, male or female, says what you want to hear, does what you want him to do even at his own expense, at least for a season. He seeks to sit beside you at mealtime and makes sure to have eye contact with you. He is a fine politician if you want.Though there is nothing wrong with being honoring, nice and kind to the leader, there is problem when it is for the prospect of obtaining something from leadership.

You then find yourself surrounded by “yes-men” that always agree, even with bad ideas that would normally be discussed. When loyalty, though very important, supersedes godly character and vital competencies, players get promotions and accolades over competent teammates.

When you start hearing some of your trusted, reserved and gifted leaders complain about some other teammates, perhaps the player is winning the game. At others expense. Ignoring this fact would worsen morale of your best teammates.

4. Misguided communication

The Latin word rumorem has been translated in English to rumor and means a murmur, something you cannot say aloud. Yet, we know, rumors spread like wildfire. That’s exactly what happens when 10 of the 12 spies Moses had sent to Canaan came back to give their report. Here’s how the Bible says it Numbers 13:32: “They started a rumor about the land that they had explored, telling the Israelites, “The land that we crossed over to explore is a land that devours its residents. All the people we saw in it are huge men.” (CEB) The result is bewildering: “All the Israelites criticized Moses and Aaron” (14:2). Criticism, rumblings, complaining and even death threatsoccurred! If rumors needed to be dealt with then, it is the same for today.

If not stopped, communication slides from talking TO people to talking ABOUT people. Encouragement and positivity turn to cynicism and pessimism, faith is shadowed by doubt, and trust between teammates drowns in suspicion and skepticism.

Living out Ephesians 4: 25 will bring resolve “Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ].” Speak truth, love and grace TO one another is the best remedy. Truth is not a luxury, it’s a necessity in any healthy church.

5. The loop is absent

Loops are a prerequisite in vigorous churches that move forward. Loops were important in biblical time. Feedback loopthat is. Feedback is the engine that makes churches move in the RIGHT direction.  The loop occurs when you look back honestly at events, a program or a conversation and evaluate it. Jesus did this with his disciples after he sent them on a mission in the gospel of Luke.

“When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus all that they had done. He took them along and withdrew privately…”(9:10 HCSB) They reported back, and in private, they talked about it!

When bad leadership happens, there is no place for discussion or evaluation of the THING (event or program).  A post mortem might be done in writing, but the missing ingredient is the possibility to talk honestly and frankly about what went down, the good and also the bad. You can exchange about the thing without people being offended, if you keep it about the event!

Somehow, somewhere, there needs to be an open space, a secure haven where discussion can happen safely, without fear of reproach, reprimand and repercussion. A good leader like you are, will be secure enough to have all the soft conversations before a hard conversation is obligatory. And constant feedback is having many soft talks with your teammates or employees.

You certainly want a healthy culture in your church. Begin with an honest evaluation of these symptoms, assess them and bring solutions to them. Good health doesn’t happen overnight in your life and it won't happen in your church either. Ignorance is bliss, and then someone added, knowledge is power. Now that you know, you have the power to change things.