Testing - Part 3

First I discussed the importance of having a firm foundation of four company culture cornerstones upon which to make your decisions when testing occurs.

Last week I encouraged you to embrace testing as an opportunity rather than a problem.

So you have a firm foundation to make decisions and are more open to challenges. What happens next?

More testing. More difficult testing. More evil and indirect testing. (Yes, evil.) The stronger you become the more you will be tested.

The major indirect test: Praise.

Proverbs 27:21 says, "The crucible for silver in the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives."

We all need praise, encouragement and to feel like a valued member of the team, but leaders must be good students of history. The battlefields of leadership are covered with the carcasses of visionaries who became self-absorbed and then strayed from their vision and violated their values.

When you are praised, remember how others helped you (including God if that is your belief) and pass along the praise to them. Praise accumulated and inventoried too long in one person often rots the soul.

Here is one way to overcome challenges as a superstar hurdler skillfully leaps past each test on a running track:

1. Pause and breathe.

2. Thank God (or whatever) for the opportunity

3. Ask, “What am I supposed to learn from this situation?”

4. Discern your options, possibly with input from others

5. Delay your decision if you can

6. In a place of Sanctuary consider your options

7. Resolve the challenge and keep moving forward

Testing confirms you are making an impact. Take your punches like Rocky and keep fighting! Just do not let praise go to your head.

Be an Intentional Leader.

David Russell, CEO

Success With People, Inc.

MANAGEtoWIN, Inc.

MEETING IDEAS

TESTING is a GREAT opportunity. Have an open discussion with your team on how to handle testing and its temptations, particularly praise.

1. What process do you typically follow to handle a test or challenge today? (Share individually within a group so people can learn from each other.)

2. What changes to how we accept and resolve challenges can we try for one month as a pilot to better managing our testing?

3. Think of leaders, people your know or friends who have been tested by praise and failed. Discuss those situations, without mentioning the person’s name if you know them personally. Consider how they achieved significance only to allow praise to bring them down.

4. What can you learn from the failure of others to not manage praise well?