Why Christian Leaders Fail: Reason Five
BEHAVING AS A BULLY
“Then summoning him, his lord said to him ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you entreated me. ‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, even as I had mercy on you?’ Matthew 18:32-33
One of the saddest experiences I’ve had in my ministry and consulting career is to deal with bullies, particularly Christian leaders who abuse power. Unfortunately, this type of leader is more prevalent than we would like to admit.
What happens?
1. They are usually, but not always strong leaders who have gone amuck. In other words, they’re basically gifted people who go beyond the realm of good leadership and management to a dysfunctional leadership style.
2. They lead through fear and they flourish best in chaotic organizations.
3. They tend to be extremely defensive.
4. Unfortunately, they’re usually quite insecure.
The outcomes of this dysfunctional type of leader are never very pleasant. Some of the outcomes are:
1. A high rate of staff turnover
2. Low staff moral.
3. Staff mutinies
4. A “head on collision” with the Board
Rarely do these leaders leave under good terms.
Throughout my own history I have had to embolden board members to deal with bullies. In one memorable experience I had to challenge the bully and encourage him to leave the organization. I recently had a conversation with his successor who has had 13 years of successful ministry leadership. He thanked me for my courage in dealing with his issue several years ago.
Bullies are really people in need of help and afraid to ask for it. Their ultimate success rate is very low.
Filed under: Articles on February 2nd, 2009