Keep Your Word
Mark Wessner, PhD
President | Speaker | Leadership Coach (Birkman Certified) | Chair, CEO Resource Board (Langley) | Author of "Let's Talk: Engaging Conversations about Controversial Topics"
What do war, a sex worker, and integrity have in common?
And how is any of that connected to leadership?
Let's explore the ancient story of Joshua and Jericho and find out!
Biblical stories are rich narratives with many interwoven layers, and Joshua 6 is no exception.
First, the backstory:
The people of Israel had escaped from Egypt and were returning to their long-hoped-for Promised Land.
There were a few bumps along the way (that's an understatement if you know the story!), and they now found themselves in the land but facing significant opposition.
Some of it came from the fortress of Jericho.
Joshua had earlier sent spies into the city (read Joshua chapter 2), and he was now about to make his move based on the spies' information and an encounter with a messenger of God.
The Israelites overpowered the city (the details are a story for another time), and Joshua sent soldiers to find the woman who helped them.
Read Joshua 6:22-23 for what happened next.
Did you read the story?
If so, you might be wondering how it is connected to leadership.
Simply this – Joshua could have ignored the promise to Rahab. After all, she was just a sex worker, worthless in the eyes of the cultures of the Ancient Near East.
In fact, if he had ignored his promise, it is likely that no one would have noticed. Or cared.
But Joshua kept his word.
What about your leadership?
Are you tempted not to keep your word after you have won the debate, signed the contract, or completed the project?
Do you keep your word to others regardless of their stature, power, or influence?
This week, pay attention to what you promise, and follow through even if others might not notice.
Mark
President | Speaker | Leadership Coach (Birkman Certified) | Chair, CEO Resource Board (Langley) | Author of "Let's Talk: Engaging Conversations about Controversial Topics"
3 个月Well said Jim Hill! I especially like your reminder that we need to pay attention to our implicit and explicit communication. And it is often what is unspoken that is most remembered.
Director of Operations Strategic Sanitation Services
3 个月Such a good and powerful reminder! Thank you. I would pose the question to Christian business leaders "What is our implied word?" as well as our explicit word? This is hitting home for me as I review budgets and comp for 2025, what is my word/responsibility in caring for the employees under my responsibility. As Joshua took a victory lap, what word our victory lap of "success" be if no one is there to join us? Thanks Mark for the thought provoking word!