Does your communication restore or destroy leaders who fail? (93-4)
Effective leaders understand that when a leader fails, the preferred outcome is restoration, not destruction. The restoration process of a leader cannot succeed without careful attention to communication. Read again 2 Samuel 12.
The results Nathan achieved with David would never have been realized if Nathan had talked “to” or “at” David. Nathan succeeded because he communicated in an effective way, tailored specifically for his friend. The following are some elements of communication leaders can learn from the David-Nathan story:
- Nathan approached a man he already knew. Communication occurs in a relationship even when that relationship ranges from intimate to hostile or trusting to suspicious.
- Nathan prepared David for the critical elements of his communication rather than just jumping into confrontation or unloading on him. He engaged the king in conversation preparing him to deal with the tragic news he was about to impart.
- Nathan made sure David understood the issues clearly before he called for a decision. Only after David was fully engaged and had a solid grasp of the issues did Nathan confront David with the facts in his own failure.
- Nathan followed up and showed compassion for his devastated listener. He did not “dump and run.” Nathan knew his job wasn’t merely to communicate a message but to restore a fallen friend.
- Nathan wasn’t considering himself as much in the communication process as he was considering David. He wasn’t so impressed with his own message that he ignored the person. Communication was critical. It was not the end in itself, but rather a means to an end.
Communication is essential to leadership. To be effective leaders, we must develop the ability to communicate. The first step is to realize communication is not the goal, but only a tool to get you to the goal.
Galatians 6:1 “If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.”
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