Do you give second chances when behavior changes? (207-3)

Effective leaders handle conflicts personally, privately and with the spirit of forgiveness. Read Luke 17:3-10.

Jesus, knowing His disciples would soon have major leadership roles, continually taught principles that would make them more effective leaders. When He told them they should forgive a person who had wronged them, even if they wronged them seven times, as long as that person returned and ask for forgiveness, His disciples’ first thought was this may be too much and they would need more faith to accomplish the task. Jesus simply told His team their faith was sufficient and conflict resolution and forgiveness was part of a leader’s everyday job. Jesus was clear that a leader should not expect praise for doing what was an expected part of their leadership role.

Interesting that Jesus assumed conflict management was a natural part of leadership and involved a forgiving spirit. My personal experience had been that leaders today feel like they live in a throw-away world where problem team members, even if repentant, may not deserve a second chance, won’t be forgiven, and a third chance is out of the question. The wise leader understands that when they have an attitude that people are disposable it isn’t only the problem employee that know what kind of leader they serve.

Are you involved in conflict management with some members of your team? Are there some teammates that seem to create issues on a regular basis? Do you give second chances when behavior changes? Will there be times when a teammate goes too far and dismissal is the only option – of course. However, Jesus established principles in Luke 17 that can be invaluable to your leadership in the area of conflict management – confront the issue, insist on changed behavior, give more than one chance as long as the teammate responds positively and have full reinstatement as the goal. As you consider Jesus’ advice to His disciples it is good to remember that Jesus didn’t just talk a good game, He personally demonstrated His willingness to forgive His team and give them another chance (see John 18:25-27 and John 21:15-21).