Leadership Qualities: Listening Part 4

 101% Principle-1 Corinthians 1:4-10

The church at Corinth provided Paul with one of his greatest challenges. In this letter, he was forced to confront several problems. This was a defiled church-some members had committed sexual immorality and drunkenness. It was a divided church-at least four groups competed for leadership. It was a disgraced church-its problems became known throughout the community. Paul’s letter could have become one long, verbal spanking.

Instead, Paul saw this church’s potential, despite its problems. He practiced “The 101% Principle”-find the 1 percent you can affirm, and give it 100 percent of your attention. As the old saying goes, you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.

While Paul knew he must confront the issues, he began his letter with words of appreciation. Leadership rule #1 is this: Affirmation comes before confrontation. Although Corinth had some problem people, Paul still saw the good in them:

1. They were enriched by God.
2. They had fellowship with God.
3. They could make positive, right decisions.

Good leaders look for the good in people and affirm it. Only then do they address the problem.

Join me next time for Leadership Qualities: Listening Part 5