Leading ThroughSample

Clarity

Leadership, for the most part, is about taking people on a journey. The challenge is that we're often asking people to follow us to places we've never been. Here’s an example: a pandemic combined with an economic shutdown that's left us teetering on economic meltdown while navigating social unrest during an election year. Like you, this is my first time to have to lead through this particular combination of events.

If you're an intuitive leader, you know the thing people want from you most, you can't provide. Because what people want from you most right now is certainty. You can't provide certainty because it rests in the realm we have no control over—the future.

When you cannot provide certainty, you must provide clarity. You can be uncertain, but you cannot afford to be unclear. Our mandate as leaders is to be clear even when things are not certain. Clarity is honest, and clarity is enough because it is perceived as leadership. 

Clarity says, "I don't know what the future holds, but here's what we're going to do in the meantime." Clarity says, "I don't know what's going to happen, but we're going to prepare for whatever happens." Clarity says, "Here's the plan for now, and we will adjust the plan as circumstances demand." Uncertainty is our opportunity to lead well.

One of my favorite biblical examples of this principle is found in the Book of Joshua. As the nation of Israel prepared to cross the Jordan River into the promised land, Moses passed the leadership baton to Joshua. When Joshua took over, the days of wandering were over. It was a new day and a brand new leadership context. They were transitioning from wandering to warring, from wandering around to settling down. 

It's no wonder that Yahweh spoke these words to Joshua as he stood there overwhelmed with this new responsibility and all the uncertainty that came along with it. God said, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). This changes everything. The basis of Joshua's courage and the foundation of his leadership was the presence of God.

He knew he couldn't provide certainty, so he provided the next best thing—clarity. Joshua gave them something to do immediately. He told them, “‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now, you will cross the Jordan right here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own’” (Joshua 1:11). It does not get any clearer or any more specific than that. Everybody knew their assignment; everybody knew the time frame, and everybody knew what to do next. But nobody knew what was going to happen, including Joshua, and including you.