Are you able to help your team deal with anger issues? (134-3)

Some leadership skills are easy to learn, but the belief systems that govern the use of skills is deeply internalized and requires determination and consistent effort to change. Read Proverbs 9:7-9.

In these Proverbs King Solomon contrasted the difference between helping a mocker (or fool) and a wise man to learn. One major difference is the fool is characterized by an unwillingness to address character issues. They will not deal with the values and habits that lead to their destructive behavior. They haven’t accepted the simple truth that actions are controlled by core beliefs.

When a leader simply tries to modify a behavior (theirs or a teammates) and does not get to the root cause underlying the behavior it is like pushing a beach ball under water. The moment they release their grip the ball (the behavior) will pop to the surface. This is most often seen at moments of stress. Wise leaders use behavior patterns to indicate character or value issues that need to be corrected.

In “Teaching Smart People How to Learn” from the Harvard Business Review (May-June 1991) Chris Argyris coined the terms “Single Loop Learning” and “Double Loop Learning.” The single loop tends to be the easy one where leaders simply teach people how to modify behavior i.e. stopping their angry outbursts, but the second loop forces the person to deal with the anger that generated the outburst. The second loop around the issue is more difficult but is essential to truly solve the problem. Wise leaders take themselves and help their team to take the second loop around the issue and discover and change the character flaw that created the problem.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”