Becoming A Mature LeaderSample

Becoming A Mature Leader, Part II

In their book, Rare Leadership in the Workplace: Four Uncommon Habits that Improve Focus, Engagement and Productivity, authors Marcus Warner and Jim Wilder unpack RARE as an acronym for how to become a mature leader. The first R stands for Remain Relational. The A stands for Act Like Yourself.

A former boss of mine modeled this quality when a customer began bullying one of our bank employees. My boss stepped in, confronted the customer, and when the argument escalated, he gave the customer a check for the total in his account and closed the account. 

My boss acted like himself; he acted like the adult in the room.

In Luke 4:18, Jesus said, "He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free."

Strong mature leaders act like adults. They do not let others easily manipulate them. They are protectors, not predators.

Questions for Reflection:  

• Has there been a time in your work environment when God called you to act like the adult in the room? What was the outcome?      
• Jesus said in Luke that God has sent us to set the oppressed free. Have you ever stood up for a peer, colleague, or employee? What might keep someone from doing so?      
• Why do you think it’s important for Christian leaders to set the tone in their offices or places of employment?