What You Don't See in Yourself

April 17, 2023?

Dear Leaders,?

Easter season – a time for renewal and reflection on faith and purpose.?In Christian belief, Jesus Christ fulfilled his purpose in allowing himself to be crucified and then rising from the grave and complete his work on earth.?Like any great leader, he set up a succession plan, and in doing so, selected not the most educated and flawless of men, but a fisherman who had more than his share of foibles and failings:?Peter.?One of the twelve of his inner circle in whom Christ saw in them that which they did not see in themselves, and in changing the direction of their lives, changed the world.??

In selecting his people, Jesus could have easily gone to the Jewish leadership and subsequently would have selected from among them, or even converted the Romans who held the real power, but that’s not what he was about, for he had a different purpose and idea in mind.?Peter was a fisherman, a sailor by trade, and that alone can tell you something about his personality.?He was nonetheless a man of faith, otherwise, he would not have taken interest.?Indications were that he was a natural leader, as he rose to the forefront of the Gospels, but not always in a good way.?Constantly doubting and misjudging, he fails in understanding and believing, and even denies three times that he knew Jesus, leaving one to wonder why he would be the man for the job.?

Like many a wise boss, Jesus knew that it was about understanding and enlightenment, and he sees through Peter’s faults and failings to know that he is the one to whom he passes on his legacy.?Peter tackles the task with gusto, preaching the message and performing signs while administering the burgeoning organization.?He succeeds to the point of gaining some unwanted attention from those opposed to him and his work but perseveres onward undaunted.?

Even though Peter and the others do a credible job, there is still something lacking in the delivery of the message, so Jesus turns this time to another unlikely candidate:?Paul.?A well-educated man from a good family and a zealous defender of his Jewish faith, Paul persecuted Peter and those who he believed were misguided to the point of being dangerous.?In a manner sure to get the attention of anyone, Jesus recruits him to use his skills for his own goals.??

Paul was already a great speaker, a charismatic leader, and knew how to work a crowd, and he put these talents to work spreading the message to those outside the Jewish community.?A tireless worker, he traveled the length and breadth of their known world, using his skills to relate to each audience in a manner they would understand, winning over many converts, and setting up franchises and leaders therefore.??

Two opposite personalities, Peter and Paul had their difficulties, and did not shy from open debate and observation, but they needed each other.?Each had a job to do based on their skills, talents, and abilities that they didn’t initially see in themselves, and even less so expected to be using in the way they did.?In understanding their places and missions, they were given to each other as compliment and contrast to the point that one would not have succeeded without the other. ?

Bypassing the religious aspects of these men, leaders can take notes and learn from their manner in looking beyond their limitations to see talent and capabilities that might not be apparent and do the same for their people.?Those in your charge and from outside alike often demonstrate the talent and skill for which they have an expectation, but for which you see being used in other ways.?It is to you to show them the possibilities and give them the opportunities to prove it not only to themselves, but also to your organization and beyond.?When you bring forth the realization of ability set in new directions, you not only grow your organization, you reap the rewards of having given someone a new perspective that will impact their life forever after and is a legacy unto itself.??????

Peter and Paul each met unpleasant ends, but their lives did not end at that point, as that for which they worked and existed lived on through their establishment, administration, and facilitation, along with their teaching and mentoring of others who kept the line going unbroken for nearly 2,000 years.?Through all that success, further fault and failing of leaders great and flawed continued to demonstrate that the human factor will always be a limitation, but not one that cannot be overcome, for in staying with your basic purpose and fundamental reason for being, you remain the eternal rock, and in standing by your word, it lives on in truth.??

Sincerely,

Tim