As I’m writing this post it is 11:53 pm and I have NBC news on it the background. We’ve just been told “Decision Night in America,” could be an all nighter. Regardless of the outcome, we will all be leading through change. We will be a divided people, as we already are as a nation. Whichever candidate wins will have a major task of seeking to convince those who voted against him or her that he or she is worthy of the office of president. For each of us who serves as a leader, we will experience some impact.
Frankly, the impact may not be noticeable right away. After all, whichever candidate wins won’t be inaugurated until late January. I told the folks at worship this weekend on Wednesday morning Jesus will still be Lord. For those of us who believe that, the stabilizing effect is huge. For those of you who don’t, moving forward will be a time of moving through change. How do we lead through such momentous change in the greater culture?
The key to leading through change is do the next right thing. That’s a statement I learned from my association with folks in AA and NA. For the past six and a half years I have led a weekly Bible study for those in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction, and they have a saying, “Do the next right thing.” That’s good advice for all of us, but particularly for those of us leading through change, because we will need to discern the next right thing and lead others to do it. In times of change, it isn’t always clear what the right thing to do is, but clarity is a key of great leadership. In fact, over time, those who follow us will continue to follow our leadership if we are clear, even though at times we are clearly wrong.
Let me explain. When everyone is wondering what to do next, and no one knows for sure, effective leaders will examine the evidence, we will pray if we are men and women of faith, and then we will take a clear step in a particular direction, explaining why we’re doing it and how we’re going to get where we’re going. If we have a good track record of navigating uncertainty well and with clarity, people will follow. They will give us some latitude for error, because no one will know for sure what the next right thing is in times of change.
During times of change leaders don’t take polls and follow the majority, they may take polls to find out what people are thinking, but they will always lead based on what they believe is right and best for everyone they lead. The character we have been developing to this point, will guide us as we move forward into a new future. Whether we’re living under the first woman president, or the first populist president since Andrew Jackson, we will live in an historic time. Life is change. So leading through change is a given, yet at times the changes are more dramatic. This will be one of those times.
Will it matter to you who is president? Will your leadership change as a result? What changes do you anticipate depending on who is elected? Remember asking such questions helps us to be ready for whatever eventuality may come. My prayer and plan is to stay rooted in the truth and to live it out in love. Those two qualities: truth and love are going to be needed regardless of who wins, or by the time you read this post has won!
Here’s to leading better, by preparing to lead through change–today!