Ten Things the Best Leaders Never Say

Reflecting on the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Two Days after Sunday (Year C)

Scripture (semicontinuous)

Psalter: Psalm 58

Old Testament: Jeremiah 3:1-14

Epistle: Titus 1:1-9

Scripture (complementary)

Psalter: Psalm 119:65-72

Old Testament: Isaiah 2:12-17

Epistle: Titus 1:1-9

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Prayer

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

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Reflection

I left you behind in Crete for this reason, so that you should put in order what remained to be done and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you: someone who is blameless, married only once, whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious. For a bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain, but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, self-controlled, upright, devout, and restrained, holding tightly to the trustworthy word of the teaching, so that he may be able both to exhort with sound instruction and to refute those who contradict it (Titus 1:5-9).

by Jacquelyn Smith and Business Insider

“I’m the boss.”

“By announcing this fact, you negate it,” says Price. “As Former Prime Minister of the UK Margaret Thatcher once said, ‘Power is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.’”

“That’s not my fault.”

The best leaders take responsibility for their actions. They don’t point fingers, make excuses, or throw others under the bus.

“I’ll do it myself.”

Leadership is not a solo act, Price explains. “This attitude is notoriously referred to as the ‘Do It Yourself (DIY) habit,’ which may be good for home improvement but not leadership improvement

“I know that — I’ve thought of everything.”

As legendary basketball coach John Wooden once said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

“Failure is not an option.”

“This motto may work as the creed of NASA’s Mission Control Center and title of Gene Kranz’s autobiography,” says Price. “However, when a leader utters this phrase in business, it is often interpreted as, ‘mistakes are not allowed.’”

“That’s not the way we do it here.”

Successful leaders are passionate about innovation — finding a better way of doing something. “In fact, Steve Jobs said, ‘Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.’

“I want results, not relationships.”

Great leaders know that results are produced through people, which require building strong relationships with employees, fellow leaders, customers, business partners, vendors, and other key stakeholders.

“I don’t care if it’s unethical. If it’s not illegal, do it.”

Great leaders neither encourage nor condone corrupt and unethical behavior for the sake of accomplishing financial or organizational goals.

“Don’t bring me any bad news or surprises.”

Saying this doesn’t make the bad news and surprises go away; it just means people sweep a time bomb under the rug. “Great leaders want to know about the issues that need immediate attention; therefore, they say, ‘If there’s bad news or surprises, I want to be the first to know,’” Price says.

“You’re lucky to have a job here.”

This statement destroys drive and kills morale. It implies you’re doing people a favor by employing them, and they’re indebted for the privilege of working for you. “It’s up to the employee to decide if that’s true,” she says. Instead try something like, “We’re lucky to have you on our team.”

PRAYER: God of salvation, who sent your Son to seek out and save what is lost, hear our prayers on behalf of those who are lost in our day, receiving our petitions and thanksgivings with your unending compassion; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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