Last week, in part two of this discussion, I focused on not only clarifying the meaning of the word “Discernment” (click here to read part one), but also postulated that while the leader does not need to personally be discerning, they do need to be discerning enough to locate and listen to someone who is (click here to read part two).
In concluding that discussion, I remarked that we would further develop the core issue behind each of these previous practice pointers, namely, “What does it take for the leader to come to the conclusion that they need discernment - but that gaining it can be accomplished through the agency of another person who is a member of their team?”
Once again, the answer is both simple and important. And it is not new.
In a discussion of a topic that in our modern world we might call “teamwork,” St. Paul included sound advice in a letter he wrote to some of his compatriots. He admonished them by saying, “Each one of you should have a sane estimate of your own abilities…” Applying this sage advice from millenniums ago to the topic at hand we arrive at the following thoughts:
- Every leader needs discernment.
- Every leader does not need to personally be discerning.
- Every leader needs to know his or her own strengths and weakness (have a “sane estimate” of strengths and weakness) and be willing and able to properly identify a gap in their discernment skill-set, if such a gap exists.
- And then, for those leaders who do not personally have discernment and are wise enough to admit they are not discerning, they must locate and listen to those who do have this capacity.
In short, no leader needs to personally or inherently have all of the gifts needed to lead. Rather, they must have an ability to do an honest and accurate self-appraisal. And then, just as vital to their success, must be able to identify others who bring additional core talents to the team.
In the present day and age, nowhere are these factors more important for leadership than in the arena of the need for discernment. Leaders simply must have – or find and embrace – the gift of discernment.
Because, as stated in previous weeks, it has become crucial to know the difference between right – and almost right.