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VulturesBy Tim BuchananRead Gen 4:13-15Out here in the country, we always know when something is dead or dying because the vultures start circling. They will take advantage of a sick or injured animal and wait to feast on its misfortune. Sadly, people can turn into vultures.Organizations are systems in which one event impacts the whole group. Nothing happens independently so everyone feels the pain or joy of everything. Sometimes, when someone has been a problem, everyone starts to circle them and wait for them to die, uh, be disciplined, demoted, or terminated. Often, the leader likes this because it makes them feel like they have done well and the others are confirming their decision. Also, the leader likes this peer response because it is a sort of surrogate retribution on the person. The leader is angry because this person made them do something uncomfortable. Either way, once the leader has held someone accountable, they feel the person should get what they deserve from the rest. God could have done this with Cain, but He did not. We read: "Cain said to the LORD, ‘My punishment is too great to bear! Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.' So the LORD said to him, ‘Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.'" Gen 4:13-15 (NASB) Once you deal with someone, you cannot let your own personal feelings get in the way of your responsibilities. Just because it was probably an uncomfortable situation for you does not mean you can let others take it out on the person who caused the problem. You are a leader to them as long as they are in your organization. That means as a leader you have to protect them no matter what they have done. You can never let others take out the aggression you secretly harbor on this person. Even though you wish they would suffer some more, you have to stand in the gap. You have to understand the power of mercy in discipline. You want to help the person grow, not crush them. You want them to learn, not be totally demoralized. You have to be sure they have a chance in their consequences to rise again. What they do with the opportunity of growth is their responsibility. It is your responsibility to see they get a fair chance. That means you have to make it clear to everyone that no vultures will be allowed to feed on this person's mistake. Leaders do what is right to everyone regardless of their feelings. They will protect the good and the bad equally. They will administer proper accountability, but then be sure it is carried out in a fair way. They will not let the discomfort of the rebuke cause them to lose their values and responsibilities as a leader. You are a leader and leaders heal people and help them grow. Leaders are just. Be appropriate in how you discipline someone, but make sure they get a fighting chance with everyone else. And remember - Jesus wins, Tim |
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