Becoming Problem Solvers
God, as the Master Leader, promotes “problem solvers” rather than people who merely have potential. All the heroes of the Bible are problem solvers. Analyzing those heroes, what their problems were, and how they solved them, is an unbelievably useful way to study God’s Word. Try it sometime as the point of departure for a leadership class or business team discussion group. Wise leaders produce and promote problem solvers because they are skilled problem solvers themselves. The so-called “Peter Principle”—promoting people up to their level of incompetency—is a perfect illustration. Our leadership capacity stops at the point at which we can no longer solve problems.
The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32) illustrates the tragedy of giving someone power before they have the character to handle it. Reread this parable and run it through this grid of understanding; it will come to life! If you’re like most leaders, there have been times when you’ve promoted somebody and then quickly wished you hadn’t. You gave power or responsibility based on potential rather than faithfulness.
God doesn’t do that. In God’s family business, power comes only on the basis of faithfulness. That’s why problems can become the doorways to more power and authority. They stimulate courage, creativity, dependence on God, knowledge, patience, tenacity, and teamwork. They build and reveal character. How an employee handles a problem will tell you more about his or her character than scores of instant successes. Someone who handles problems faithfully will be good for your church or business in the long run. God releases resources to people who prove they are qualified to handle them. Those whose level of power or anointing exceeds their character development often end up disgraced or even in jail. Problem solving forces us to face the issue of self-government, along with issues of personal and relational discipline. It reveals our ability to solve both relational and conceptual blockages.
Put another way, God only trusts those whom He has processed through problems. And problems are, in fact, a form of “property”—that is, something we own. Irresponsibility means not properly stewarding what truly belongs to you, including your problems. We need to remember that God is far more interested in getting His heavenly perspective into us than in getting us into heaven. And that, my friends, is…