Leadership Friction Principle

Matthew 26:31-75

There is something that hit me while reading this.  This is the infamous passage that ends with Peter’s denial of Christ.  This is a dark moment in a great leader's life, but I believe it sheds light on an important leadership principle.  

Here are some quick highlights of the passage.  Jesus predicts that all the disciples will fall away and that Peter will deny Him.  Peter passionately declares his faithfulness to Christ, and all the other disciples follow suite and say the same thing.  Peter follows Jesus when He is taken by the guards, and all the other disciples desert Jesus and flee. Peter then denies Jesus, and all the other disciples...well they were not even there to make the mistake. There it is!  I will call it the Leadership Friction Principle.  

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Leadership Friction Principle:

Doing what no one else would (following Jesus) put Peter in a position to make a mistake (denying Jesus) that no one else could.

But the flip-side of this principle is true as well…

Doing what no one else would (standing to preach Jesus’ resurrection in the same place Jesus was condemned) put Peter in a position to experience results (3,000 saved) that no one else could.

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As a leader you will find yourself doing what others have not done and going where others have not gone.  In exchange, you must understand that you will make mistakes no else can and feel pains no one else has.  Many times this will bring criticism that others don’t have to deal with…just think of all the attention Peter’s BIG mistakes has gotten him.  The great news is that you will also experience victories and joys that no else could.

Be encouraged; embrace the friction; and lead on!

Envious Leaders = Dangerous Leaders

Matthew 27:11-20 (also in Mark 15:1-11)

(18) For he [Pilate] knew that because of envy they [chief priests and elders] had handed him [Jesus] over.
The Chief Priest and the elders bring Jesus to the governor, Pilate. They are envious of Jesus' ministry, his wisdom, his words, his influence, and who knows what else. The definition of envy: a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc. Pilate figures the people, the masses, would not have this perspective problem. Pilate offers to release a prisoner to the people, Barabbas or Jesus. Pilate probably expected when offered Barabbas, who is the worst of the worst, the people would never allow him to walk free. But envy runs deep, and it might run deeper in those in leadership.

(20) But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.
In verse 20 we see the danger of envious leadership. The Chief Priest and the elders used their influence and leadership to persuade the crowds to pick Barabbas for release and to crucify Jesus.

It is important to note that these leaders did have powerful influence, and they used it effectively. The problem is envy dictated its use. Envy can blind us to our God-given responsibilities. Envious leaders equals dangerous leaders.

Leadership Friction Principle

Matthew 26 is a dark moment in a great leader's life, but I believe it sheds light on an important leadership principle. Here is a quick summary.

Matthew 26:31-74 (summary)

Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:" 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered...
...Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will...
...Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times...
...But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you."
And all the other disciples said the same.

...Then all the disciples deserted him and fled...
...But Peter followed...
...But he denied it before them all...
...He denied it again, with an oath...
...Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!

Peter says his loyalty statement first. The other disciples follow suite and say the same thing. Peter follows Jesus. The other disciples desert Jesus and flee. Peter denies Jesus. The other disciples...well they couldn't because they were not even there.
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Leadership Friction Principle:

• Doing what no one else would (following Jesus) put Peter in a position to make a mistake (denying Jesus) that no one else could.

But this friction goes both ways...

• Doing what no one else would (stood to speak the truth of Jesus in Jerusalem) put Peter in a position to experience incredible results (3,000 saved) that no one else could.

As a leader you have the opportunity to go first, to be the first...in both victory and failure.
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Maybe this leadership friction is an example of, "To whom much is given much is required..." Lead on!