I have worked alongside an array of different leaders and workers and seen how they all handle situations, under stress and pressed for time. And I like that, because I can continue to learn from their actions about what to do and what not to do. Though I am quite flawed in my own actions, one thing I have learned distinctly is this: if I am not in the position of the leader and he makes a decision that looks dumb to me, it might not be dumb. Because if I am in that position, I might make the same decision.
You might say, “No, I will not”—you might have a clear opinion on what decision you would make. But let me awaken you to the truth: you cannot know how it is in a position unless you are there. You can’t fully know a position until you’re there; it’s simply impossible. You can learn about it; you can think about it. I don’t know what the percentage is that you can know about it, but you can’t completely know about it until you’re there. It’s just not possible.
So give the leaders around you some grace, and just know that, in their shoes, you might make the same decision. The sooner you realize that, the better off you will be.
The point is to bear with people, not against people.
What does it mean to “bear with” someone? Well, it means trying to understand it from their viewpoint or trying to support them where they’re at. It does not mean telling them what you would do. It also does not mean pointing out what they did wrong and how they should change it. Of course, advice in a loving way can be helpful, but advice in the form of “I’m telling you what you’re doing wrong” is never helpful. Bear with them, literally, as Jesus teaches us.
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