February 9, 2007

News Flash: The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology published an article this week that, for most of us, may not be any news at all. Daniel Arens, in his article “What Breaks a Leader: the Curvilinear Relation Between Assertiveness and Leadership," concludes from

his research that what breaks a leader may be more important than what makes a leader.
This research supports Robert Greenleaf’s assertion in his book, Servant Leadership. That specific negatives are much more powerful that general positives. If you’re really interested in Dr. Arens’ article you can read it in full at

http://www.apa.org/journals/releases/psp922307.pdf.

My reason for mentioning these two sources is that I’ve also observed that one negative experience can overshadow ten positive ones. This happens in interpersonal relationships: just remember the pain of the last argument you had with someone. It happens with leadership: just pay attention to the news reports of prominent individuals in politics or the rest of society.

It happens in church: why have you or your friend or family member quit attending? This observation of human nature places great responsibility on each of us. I not saying that a person’s leaving is your fault. All of us have a choice about what we will do in pain or crisis.
What I am proposing is that consistency is one of the most powerful witnesses in today’s fickle world. And when consistency is coupled with the fruit of God’s transforming grace – well, the results are heavenly.

“Don’t let those who trust in you stumble because of me, O Sovereign LORD Almighty. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel.” Psalm 69:6

Rejoicing in hope,
Pastor Steve