Lead By Encouragement

On frigid days like these, reading about the Antarctic adventures of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton sure puts the low temperatures in perspective. Shackleton has long been one of my favorite heroes for his remarkable example of leadership, and his personal account has added to my admiration -- not so much for what he said, but what he didn't say. Being stranded in the most inhospitable conditions on earth would have been fair excuse for anyone to complain, but not Sir Ernest. Despite the constant hardships he and his crew endured, he relates them as almost trivial while cheerily telling of the humorous moments in the midst of them.

But perhaps even more striking is Shackleton's portrayal of his men. Though other accounts give the sometimes ugly truth of friction and fights among them, their leader speaks only praise. If he states anything negative, it is only a light-hearted mention along the lines of "one of the men" being too seasick to eat his hoarded food. Instead, he calls out the admirable qualities of his followers by name. The slightest dip in their morale was of greatest concern to him, and he understood the importance of encouragement, not only to ward off depression but ultimately for their survival. Even so he did not ignore the issues that arose, but dealt with them with as much sternness as was required, then did not bring them up again. Such things simply didn't merit repeating.

The responsibility of leadership requires attentiveness to the needs of those we lead -- not only physical needs, but mental, emotional and spiritual. The attitude of the leader will dictate that of the followers, and this is very often expressed in words. If a leader gives in to negative talk about the situation at hand, or worse, his followers themselves, the result can be disastrous. Leadership looks forward and seeks success for everyone involved, and there can be no room for holding grudges, fostering doubts, or allowing divisiveness. A wise leader knows that generous encouragement and praise are vital for success, and when problems must be addressed, will quickly "forgive and forget" in order to move forward together.

Therefore encourage one another

and build each other up,

just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11