Confession is a lost art. Blame? Not so much.
I find that there’s a link between how well I confess and how often I blame others and justify myself. Avoiding confession allows me to think the fault lies with someone else. Confessing my sins helps me realize that I am certainly part (if not nearly all) the problem.
That’s important as a Christ follower but essential as a leader. Leaders who blame
poison the culture
demotivate their team; and
stunt their organization’s progress.
All of this happens when we are unwilling to humble ourselves, own our shortcomings, seek help and ask for guidance. Lack of confession stunts our growth as a Christ follower, person and leader. It just does.
Here are five questions that help me as I think through the issue of confession:
- Is confession a regular part of my prayer life?
- Am I defensive about an issue? Chances are there is something God wants to deal with lying under my defensiveness.
- Is my confession specific (I did or thought X yesterday) or general? The more specific it is the more effective it is.
- Am I quick to apologize to the people I serve?
- Have I stopped blaming ‘others’ ‘factors’ and ‘forces’ as the reason me, our team or our organization isn’t making progress on an issue?
On the other side of confession is authenticity, transparency, humility, responsibility and progress.
What are you learning about confession? What questions help you focus on the issue?
