Jesus knew who He was.
Yet He wanted to know what people thought about Him.
Matthew 16 (KJ2000)
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that you are John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
15 He said unto them, But whom say you that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus asked two questions.
What do people think about me?
What do you think about me?
Every leader should learn to ask both.
What People Think Matters
The people were wrong about Jesus.
Some thought He was John the Baptist. Some said Elijah. Others said Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
Jesus did not dismiss their opinions because they were wrong. He asked what they thought.
Leaders sometimes say, “They don’t understand me.”
Perhaps they don’t.
But that is useful information.
If people think promotions are unfair, you need to know. If your team thinks you are inaccessible, inconsistent or harsh, you need to know. If your staff think you do not listen, you need to know.
Their perception may be wrong, but it still affects how they respond to your leadership.
You should know what people think about you without allowing what people think about you to determine who you are.
Jesus knew who He was.
But He still asked.
Do Not Wait For People To Come To You
Notice who initiated the conversation.
Jesus did.
The disciples did not approach Him to discuss His reputation. Jesus asked them.
Many leaders proudly say, “My door is always open.”
That is good. It is not enough.
An open door still requires your follower to walk through it.
Your follower must decide to raise the issue. He must overcome the difference in authority. He must risk offending you. He must find the right words. He must start an uncomfortable conversation.
You simply wait.
Jesus did not wait.
An open door is not a substitute for an initiated conversation.
Ask your people how they are doing. Ask what they think about your decisions. Ask what concerns them. Ask what customers are saying. Ask what they think you are getting wrong.
Sometimes nobody told you because you never asked.
Leaders who refuse to take responsibility for initiating conversation will eventually come to grief.
Do Not Create A Court Of Gossips
There is a danger here.
Some people are gossips.
If they discover that bringing you stories earns them access, attention or favour, they will bring you more stories.
Soon every conversation begins with, “Sir, people are saying...”
Be careful.
You want perspectives. You do not want informants.
Ask, “How are people responding to the change?”
Do not always ask, “Who said that?”
You often need the substance of the concern more than the identity of the person who expressed it.
If people discover that reporting private conversations gives them influence with you, you will eventually surround yourself with informants.
You may think they are keeping you informed.
They may actually be manipulating you.
Do Not Reward Sycophants
Some people have the opposite problem.
They tell you what you want to hear.
They study you. They discover which opinions please you. Then they adjust their opinions accordingly.
Ask what people think about your leadership, and apparently everybody thinks you are wonderful.
Such people are dangerous.
If people who flatter you receive greater access, opportunities or influence, everyone else will notice.
Soon you will hear more of what you want to hear and less of what you need to hear.
Never reward people for the opinions they give you.
Jesus certainly did not.
Blessed Are You, Simon
Peter gave the right answer.
Matthew 16 (KJ2000)
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father who is in heaven.
Peter got it right.
Jesus acknowledged it. He commended him.
But something remarkable happened only a few verses later.
Jesus began to explain that He would go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed and rise again.
Peter disagreed.
Matthew 16 (KJ2000)
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from you, Lord: this shall not be unto you.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get behind me, Satan: you are an offense unto me: for you savor not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
The same Peter.
The same conversation.
A few verses earlier, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona.”
Now, “Get behind me, Satan.”
Yesterday’s Truth Does Not Buy Tomorrow’s Immunity
Peter’s previous correctness did not purchase immunity from correction.
Jesus did not think, “Peter understands me better than everybody else. I must keep him happy.”
He did not think, “Peter has been supportive. I should overlook this.”
He did not become emotionally dependent on Peter because Peter had said something good about Him.
Peter was right before.
Peter was wrong now.
Jesus dealt with what Peter was saying now.
Leaders must learn to do the same.
Someone who criticised you yesterday may be right today.
Someone who praised you yesterday may be wrong today.
Someone who has supported you for ten years may still need correction tomorrow.
Judge every opinion on its merits. Do not judge the opinion by your relationship with the person giving it.
Never allow praise to purchase influence with you.
Never allow loyalty to purchase immunity from correction.
Leadership Is Taught By Example
The Bible teaches us about leadership, but leadership is usually taught in the Bible by example rather than by precept.
God lets us watch people lead. Then He expects us to learn.
1 Corinthians 10 (KJ2000)
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
These things happened as examples. We should study them and learn.
Romans 15 (KJ2000)
4 For whatsoever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Matthew 16 gives us a remarkable picture of leadership.
Jesus initiated the conversation.
Jesus asked what people thought.
Jesus asked what His own followers thought.
Jesus listened to their answers.
Jesus commended Peter when Peter was right.
Jesus rebuked Peter when Peter was wrong.
Do the same.
Ask.
Listen.
Do not reward gossip. Do not reward flattery. Do not become dependent on the approval of people who support you.
And never let yesterday’s “Blessed are you” prevent today’s “Get behind me.”
A leader who genuinely wants to know what people think must also remain free enough to disagree with them.
Continue in grace!