I’ve often offered to my team (and my children as well, but that’s a different arena of leadership) that if there is a tough conversation to be had, that I will happily call the person and have it for them. It’s what my friend Bjorn Lutke calls being the stern grandad. He says that if the grandad is stern, then the father can be the one the person turns to.
For example, let’s say someone in the church is struggling with sexual immorality or involved in gossip, and someone in church leadership has to have a difficult conversation with them. I will nearly always volunteer to do that. Because when it is over, the pastor of that church can still have a stronger relationship with them.
Whenever you see a team that is successful and fruitful, then I can tell you 100% the leaders of that team can make the tough calls. It’s not just conversations, it’s also making difficult decisions.
You see to be fruitful, to have victory – it takes effort and energy. You cannot coast into it. Victory is always uphill of where you are, you have to put energy into getting there. We are on the back on the most successful and fruitful conference I have ever been in. It took a remarkable amount of effort and energy. I have been averaging five hours sleep a night last week. I had to raise money like I have never had to before. We decided to extend the worship and the worship team had to work like never before. We decided to put more into the children’s ministry than we ever had, and the children’s team had to work harder than ever before. But it worked, because we made the tough calls.
Leadership involves making the tough calls. If you cannot make the tough calls – like some politicians recently – you lose the ability to lead. People will not follow someone they do not believe can make the tough calls. Selah!
Inspiring and Challenging Dreamers 