A Leadership Lesson From Jesus: Clarify Often

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 27, 2018

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one with authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:28-29

One reason the crowds were amazed at Jesus’ teaching was His clarity of communication.

He addressed the hypocrisy of judging others, instead of first dealing with our own sin. Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged…Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye” (Matthew 7:1,3).

He continues on to describe God’s generous heart to answered prayer if we stay faithful in the process of seeking Him, as a child does a parent. Jesus taught, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:7, 11)!

He also addressed the topic of His followers following through with what He taught or just having head knowledge without heart application. Jesus tells a compelling parable about two builders: one who builds on a solid foundation and one who builds on a sinking foundation. “Therefore everyone who hears these words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on the rock… But everyone who hears these words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24, 26).

Leaders who take the time to clarify save time and confusion for the team, and free them to serve out of their strengths, skills and giftedness.

What are the benefits for leaders who consistently clarify?

1. 1. Clarity Creates Confidence… everyone is sure of their role and what to do next.
   2. Clarity Expands Influence… whoever in the organization brings clarity is perceived as the leader. Though you may not be the boss, your influence can be persuasive and pervasive.
   3. Clarity Fosters Accountability… knowing who is doing what, when— is a win for the team. Accountability flushes out the frustration of making decisions without follow through.

Clarifying Statements/Questions:

• Just to clarify…
• Did I hear you say?
• What do you mean?
• Are you sure?
•  Who owns this?
• What is our timeline to completion?

Without clarity people struggle to survive, with clarity people are freed to thrive.

“They read from the book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving it meaning so that the people could understand what was being read” (Nehemiah 8:8).

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