The Leader’s Confidence
Introduction
1. Review. Jesus defined greatness in terms of service. We are great when we serve, and servant is a position in itself. Other positions may derive from service, but the service is itself valuable. One can be ahead of others in service. In this sense a great servant is one kind of true leader.
When we define leadership in terms of being a head or the head, then matters such as influence with people, setting of goals, gathering people around those goals, and implementing them come into focus. Given what Jesus says about greatness, we have concluded that service is the sine qua non (without which not) of leadership.
As we have seen, leadership exacts a price. Anyone who aspires to leadership should count the cost. When the cost of leading is counted, some will pull back. Moreover, a true leader, in the Christian sense, will learn to put service first. No matter what other motivation may enter in, by an act of the will service will have priority.
2. Text. Now, we will read again the story that has captivated our attention for this series of lessons. We will focus our attention, in this lesson, on the comment of the disciples in verse 22b, “We are able.”
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him.
21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”
24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers.
25 But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
26 It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (NAS)
Jesus challenged the disciples to weigh the cost. They quickly declared, “We are able.” They were confident that they could pay the price. Jesus saw that they did not know the full extent of the cost. They would come later to a full knowledge of the cost.
3. Preview. The disciples’ comment raises the issue of the leader’s confidence or the role of confidence in leadership. We will include, but not limit, our discussion to the confidence leaders have that they can pay the price. Rather, we will discuss many aspects of confidence in leading. Our discussions will focus on
- Self-confidence and confidence in others.
- Mitigating extremes in self-confidence.
- The role of faith in Christ.
- How to develop confidence.
Confidence
1. Self-Confidence. An important factor in leadership is self-confidence. Our approach to self-confidence will vary depending on the context of leadership, but there is nevertheless an underlying place for it in all types of leadership.
According to Titus, a primary assumption in politics is self-significance. Self-significance manifests itself in such aspects as self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-interest. The words I, I exist, I can do, I will, and I count, are vital, definite statements of fact as far as most individuals are concerned, and as such are taken-for-granted situations in the minds of most people. If a person drops below this level of awareness or has never attained to such a level, he is of little concern as an active element in the field of politics.
Cecil A Gibbs, in “The Principles and Traits of Leadership,” reported on studies of leadership and self-confidence (272). According to Ross and Hendry, he states, “The general implication of these findings is that leaders, more or less consistently, rate higher than followers in self-confidence or self-assurance. A person who believes in himself gives the impression that he has the skill, power, or ability which will enable him to solve the problem in hand” (58).
2. Contagious Confidence. According to Bogardus, an extrovert demonstrates contagious self-confidence. Bogardus writes, “His self-confidence is ‘catching.’ Others seeing his ease and freedom, his unhampered energy and initiative are stimulated ‘to cut loose and do things.’ His superiority tendencies unless carried too far are capital, producing leadership” (96). Although self-confidence often comes naturally to the extrovert, the introvert can be self-confident as well. He may demonstrate self-confidence in a different way.
Later, Bogardus gives an illustration of the power of confidence (pp. 212-13). He writes, “Franklin D. Roosevelt commanded many new followers as soon as he became President by the confidence which he literally radiated throughout the whole United States in his radio addresses. No matter how troublesome the issue, his voice came over the radio breathing an assurance that drew thousands if not millions to him.”
3. Confidence and Humility. Wolff discusses the question, “Can a leader be humble?” (pp. 13-16). He declares, “Legitimate ambition, the desire to be a leader, does not run counter to true humility” (Wolff 13). He then explains that, “Evangelical humility is based on and conformed to the real circumstances and character of man. The views which the humble man entertains of himself and of his condition are an exact reflection of his situation. The humble estimate is the true one” (Wolff 14).
Confidence can be well-seasoned with humility. Humility and self-confidence need not be contradictory. Confidence helps a person achieve good things and humility puts both the person and the achievement in proper perspective. As in many things, balance is the key.
4. Confidence in Others. Before leaving the subject of confidence, we should consider the leader’s confidence in others. A leader shows confidence in others as well as himself. Studies show that the person who expects more from his subordinates because he believes in their abilities will actually get more. We want to do well when others believe we can.
We show confidence in people by delegating matters to them and empowering them to do certain tasks. Some companies make it a policy to push decision making out to the arena where transactions take place. Airline ticket agents, for example, seem to have considerable authority. Doing this requires putting confidence in people to do the right thing.
Mitigating Extremes
With regard to confidence, two extremes hamper leadership, too much confidence and too little confidence. Many people are put off by these extremes. We must learn to mitigate the extremes that sometimes develop in our lives. We can lessen the harsh impact of these negative developments.
1. Overconfidence. Let us consider overconfidence and its results. The case of the disciples is very interesting. We will begin with them and their attitude. Then, we will discuss other leaders and the importance of toning down over-confidence.
- The Disciples. Many commentators believe that the disciples were overconfident. According to them, their ready answer, “We are able,” was the first evidence they were not so. Also, not knowing all that was coming, they could not have been fully prepared to answer.
A blow was struck to their self-confidence the night Jesus was taken prisoner on the Mount of Olives. Peter was the boldest speaker among them, but he was soon to fall. After the Lord’s Supper was instituted, Jesus and the disciples went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus said to the disciples, “You will all fall away because of Me this night” (Mt. 26:31). Peter boldly replied, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away” (Mt. 26:33). Jesus responded, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a cock crows, you shall deny Me three times” (Mt. 26:34).
However, in our text Jesus does not rebuke the disciples. He knows that they, indeed, will pay the price. Peter failed, but he came back as one of the strongest witnesses in the early church. All the others, except Judas, stood the test! - Leaders. Some leaders are hampered by an attitude of overconfidence. Overconfidence often is a prelude to defeat. We see this in the sports world. A team that is overconfident may not respect its opponent enough. As a result, the overconfident team may not do its best. Many championship teams have their toughest years after winning. Some of their desire and dedication is lost. They begin to feel they can maintain championship quality play without paying the prices of discipline and preparation.
Sometimes when leaders are overconfident, they lose their followers. They begin to reveal their sense of superiority. However, their programs and ways may be presumptuous and superficial. Unless realism is maintained, people will not believe them and will not continue following.
2. Lack of Confidence. Some leaders lack confidence. Too little confidence and a sense of inferiority tend to go together. According to Harris, Adler held the theory that feelings of inferiority were the basis of man’s struggle in life (67). He claimed that the child, by virtue of his small size and helplessness, inevitably considered himself inferior to the adult figures in his environment. Clearly, these feelings of inferiority often underlie a lack of confidence and can hamper, to some degree, the ability of an individual to lead.
It has been my privilege to work with many leaders in Pentecostal and evangelical circles. In public life they manifest enormous confidence and self-assurance. When you get to know them better, you discover that virtually each one feels inferior about something. They may feel inferior about their education, personal appearance, lack of ministry gifts, or some other factor. In spite of these feelings, they have learned to live and function with both their strengths and weaknesses. They have sufficiently overcome their feelings of inferiority to function effectively.
3. The Biblical Balance. All of this suggests that balance is an important factor in leading. The apostle Paul tells us, “For through the grace given to me I say to every many among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3). Here, we observe both sides of the coin. First we should not think too highly of ourselves, and secondly we should recognize that each of us has a measure of faith. Although Paul does not say it, because of our measure of faith, we ought not to think too lowly of ourselves either.
Faith in Christ
1. The Meeting Place. For the Christian leader humility and confidence meet through faith in Christ. Inferiority feelings are overcome and superiority feelings are mitigated when we place ourselves in Him. When we are in Christ, the focus is taken off of us and is put on Him. We simply become the instruments of His mercy to a lost world.
2. Confidence. The Christian leader must be confident in Christ. Paul knew that His strength was in the Lord. He wrote to the Philippians 4:12-13:
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Paul was able to face all kinds of circumstances through Christ who strengthened him. This truth applies, I believe, to all aspects of our lives and ministries. Whatever we attempt to do for the Lord, we do in His strength. Without Him we can do nothing spiritually worthwhile and lasting.
Like all other people, Paul had weaknesses, but he did not let these deter him from his task. Even with his weaknesses, he had confidence in God. He was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him from being exalted. Concerning this weakness, and others, he declared, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (II Cor. 12:10).
Some people said Paul was weak in speech and personal presence. Paul addressed this point when he wrote to the Corinthians. In his reply Paul reveals his confidence (II Cor.10:10-11),
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when absent, such persons we are also in deed when present.”
3. Dependence. The Christian leader must have a sense of dependence on the Lord. The Psalmist wrote, “Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God” (20:7). Similarly, Paul declared (II Cor. 10:17-18),
17 “But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.
18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”
The prophet Micah spoke of the source of his power with these words, “On the other hand I am filled with power– With the Spirit of the Lord– and with justice and courage to make known to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin” (3:8). Confronting Israel was a daunting task, but Micah was undaunted because of the presence and power of the Spirit. We have analogous words from the prophet Isaiah who said, “He [God] gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power” (Is. 40:29).
Developing Confidence
1. Change. The development of confidence begins with the realization that we can change. An excellent example of this is Moses. After Moses had spent many
years in the wilderness, the Lord appointed him to be the deliverer of Israel. At this point Moses expressed his lack of confidence in his speech. He said, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” (Ex. 4:11). Then God appointed Aaron, the brother of Moses, to be the mouthpiece of Moses.
Contrast the lack of confidence Moses had at the start with his confidence and eloquence just before he died. In the hearing of all the assembly of Israel, he spoke these words (Deut. 32:1-3),
1 “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth.
2 Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As the droplets on the fresh grass, And as the showers on the herb.
3 For I proclaim the name of the Lord; Ascribe greatness to our God!”
Moses had lived long enough to see the mighty works of God and commanded attention with the story. Men will hear us when we ascribe greatness to God and demonstrate that He is the solution to their problems. No wonder Stephen (Acts 7:22) said that Moses “was a man of power in words and deeds.”
2. Realistic Assessment. The Christian leader’s confidence is in God, but each leader must realistically assess his gifts. We all have different gifts, and we must each use them to the fullest (Rom. 12:6-8). Also, we must realize that we are growing individuals and that our gifts will blossom as they are used. Others can help us make realistic assessments.
At times each of us must pull back from involvement in some situations which are beyond our ability or mandate from the Lord. The Psalmist wrote, “O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me” (31:1). In some cases we are well advised to follow his example.
3. Suffering. Tead makes an insightful statement about the role of suffering in the leader’s developing faith and sense of confidence. He writes,
“Again, the experience of great leaders suggests a further element too vital to be ignored. No accounting for the strength of their inner resources can fail to appreciate the part that suffering has played in their development. They have seemed in many instances to discover their faith and power in meeting and overcoming opposition of one sort or another, in surmounting seemingly insurmountable obstacles, in refusing to admit defeat, in sacrificing to the limit for their cause. In a word they have suffered in the depths of their being as one of the prices paid for the superb confidence and courage they were gradually able to manifest” (Tead 265).
Conclusion
Let us remember that we are in Christ. Paul wrote, “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). Remembering this, we can be filled with His confidence. The disciples were not as ready as they thought they were to suffer for Christ. They were not ready to drink the cup He had to drink. However, in the end they stood the test. With the help of the Lord, they came through in victory. Finally, we must remember that because He is able, we are able. We are not alone in our mission. Christ will be with us each step of the way.
For Further Reading
Bogardus, Emory S. Leaders and Leadership. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., 1934.
Harris, Thomas A. I’m OK-You’re OK. New York: Avon Publishers, 1969.
Ross, Murray G. and Hendry, Charles E. New Understandings of Leadership. New York: Association Press, 1957.
Tead, Ordway. The Art of Leadership. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.
Titus, C. H. The Processes of Leadership. Dubuque: Wm. C. Brown Company, 1950.
Wolff, Richard. Man at the Top. Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1970.
© Copyright 2002. GMF