A Looming Threat That Exists For Leaders

“We’ve got a looming threat.  There’s great public concern about this.” 

When you leave a room, what condition is left behind relationally?  Is there debris everywhere or goodness and mercy?

The entire world looked on in horror and shock on March 11th, 2011 when a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami devastated the nation of Japan.  Experts feel the Japanese tsunami washed 5 million tons of debris into the Pacific Ocean.  70% of which merely sank.  However, 1.5 million tons is still afloat.  Some of which is headed our way.

Earlier this month, a 7 feet high, 19 feet wide, and 66 feet long Japanese dock washed up on Agate Beach in Oregon.  Because of radiation and invasive marine species, the environmentally sensitive Oregonians are very concerned about the issue of tsunami debris because more is surely to follow.

Phillip Johnson of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition told the USA Today in their June 8th edition, “We’ve got a looming threat.  There’s great public concern about this.”  Johnson is right about their constituency being concerned.  Upon washing ashore, the dock was immediately scraped and sterilized with torches by a dozen volunteers.

I’ve thought a lot about this story and I have identified five lessons it has for leaders.

1. Our Leadership Decisions Have Consequences – This is the responsibility of influence.  When leaders make bad decisions, there will be debris.
2. The Consequences Of Our Leadership Decisions Are Often Delayed – Many times leaders think “they got away with that” or “dodged a bullet”.  Do not be confused, this is rarely if ever the case.
3. The Consequences Of Our Leadership Decisions Are Felt Far Into The Future – The dock that washed up along the Oregon shore was ripped from the Japanese coastline 15 months ago.  This is especially humbling to me as a father.  So humbling it drives me to my knees in prayer.  My actions will greatly determine how my daughter views her sexuality, self-image, how she will allow herself to be treated, her fiscal responsibility, how she manages conflict, and what type of man she will settle for.
4. The Consequences Of Our Leadership Decisions Are Far Reaching – Tsunami debris is beginning to be appear from the California coastline all the way up to Alaska.  We do not live isolated lives.  Our decisions, even in the privately of our own homes, result in behavioral patterns that greatly impact others.  There is a ripple or butterfly effect to our leadership.
5. The Consequences Of Our Leadership Decisions Affect People Differently – Great leaders always treat people fairly but never equally.  This large dock has created a “looming threat” for Oregonians.  In Georgia where I reside, there would be absolutely no concern.  People are just different.  It is important for leaders to remember that some may find little issue with your personality or leadership style.  However, others may be devastated by it.

David wrote in the 23rd Psalm that “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

Leaders always leave something behind.  David could look back and see that goodness and mercy always followed him.  What a legacy!  I want to lead like that!

The consequences of our leadership is felt both immediately and in the long-term.  It is far-reaching and deeply affects people differently.

Leaders, what are you leaving behind?  Is it the threat of debris or goodness and mercy?

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