Dare 5: Leading UP – do you have influence with those in authority over you? What if speaking up was the way to earn and keep respect?
Carol looked at the small Zoom boxes filling the large video screen in front of her. The faces of nearly the whole company, save the owner and CEO, smiled, fussed with microphones and headphones. Carol looked at her own image, found the video “mute” button and breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at her bad hair day was the last thing she wanted as a distraction. This quarterly meeting was important.
Various presenters shared their screens and problems were discussed. Carol noticed feeling uncomfortable when their VP of Marketing, Jason, chimed in, taking the Lord’s name in vain. “That G-D’d project is six weeks from launch! Why don’t we have better numbers?” Explicative peppered his speech, calling attention to his immense frustration.
At the end, Carol looked at her list of to-do’s and pondered the meeting. She felt grieved at Jason’s behavior. Not judgment, but she also knew he was a follower of Christ, and his word choices gave her pause. Should she say something? Silently, she asked the Lord about it, and a number of verses flooded her brain about revering God, not taking His name in vain, and encouraging one another. The fact that Jason was several levels above her seemed irrelevant in the presence of the Spirit.
Prayerfully, she crafted an email:
Jason, thank you so much for your contributions today in the meeting. I learned a lot about several things that will help me do my job more effectively. I’m also eager to get the accurate numbers around the project so it can launch properly.
Because I value our relationship, I wanted to let you know I was a bit grieved at the use of the “G-D” phraseology. The “G-D” word hurts me as much as others are by the N-word today. I hope you know I’m only letting you know this because I respect you so much.
Thanks again for the updates today and I hope I haven’t offended you with the feedback. Thank you for listening.
Respectfully,
Carol
She sent it.
She didn’t expect a response, but smiled when she heard back from him:
Carol, Thanks for speaking up. I know better. It won’t happen again.
Jason
Carol’s attention to Jason’s contribution demonstrated good people skills and leadership. Instead of condemning him, she began with appreciation. To do this, she had to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and even slower to become angry. She also thought about how she would like to be treated if she were in the same situation – she would like to be respected, not criticized.
Dale Carnegie, the entrepreneur of the human development business in the 1930’s, once said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” It takes a mature leader to call attention to mistakes in a grace-filled way. In doing so, we can call others to level-up to a higher state of being and behaving, all the while glorifying God, being the iron that sharpens iron.
What would she have done if he had responded defensively? She would have yet another opportunity to respond in love, without acting defensively back. A simple, “I appreciate your perspective and I want to apologize for misperceiving our relationship. Thank you for letting me know,” would be a calm response to an angry, “How dare you!” message. Even if he sent a defensive response, she still adds value and if he has any maturity at all, he will think twice before behaving similarly again – simply because he has been communicated with about his behavior.
If he intentionally goes out of his way to be offensive, however, this is good information for her about how immature he is and she can deal with him differently in the future. Regardless of the outcome, it is a beneficial experience for her, even if not for him (at that time), and it is good for the relationship as she has communicated in a way worthy of respect (whether it is given or not) and she has a clearer picture of the reality of the relationship.
Her communication is also in alignment with her values, so she avoids betraying herself, which damages her identity. Note that she does these things in alignment with her relationship with God and at His direction.
Bottom Line?
Speak up with kind and respectful integrity and you will have more influence with others.
The Dare
In prayer, ask God to bring to mind a small moment where you betrayed yourself by not speaking up. Ask Him to show you how you could have interacted differently in that moment. Explore with God the question, “Is there someone I need to communicate now where I’m not exercising my voice? Perhaps this is due to peer pressure, fear, or past hurts. Ask the Lord to reveal to you what forward movement would look like in that space. Ask the Lord to reveal moments where you need to speak up as they are occurring. Give yourself grace for the awareness alone, whether you take action or not – but ask God for direction about what that action could be, and take it if led.
What about you?
- What is your childhood history regarding feedback? Was it considered criticism or constructive and helpful? Is there a moment in time that comes to mind?
- What beliefs around constructive feedback have you developed? How do they serve you or get in the way?
- Consider a time when someone gave you constructive feedback that you could have handled better. What would it have looked like to show up more maturely in that space?
Am looking forward to the comments! Where have YOU seen respectful communication influence other people’s behaviors?
Love to you,
Nina
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Here’s what two participants say…