Pitfalls of Being Placed on a `Pedestal`
May 29, 2011 · 0 Comments
By: Robert J. Tamasy
Who are your heroes – those people whom you admire greatly, individuals you would like to emulate?
We all have people we hold in high esteem, men and women who “set the bar” in terms of high levels of personal and professional behavior and performance. There is only one problem with our heroes: Like us, they are human and sometimes make mistakes, ranging from simple misjudgments to major violations and offenses. When that happens, we feel disappointed, even betrayed, because they have failed to live up to our lofty expectations.
Recently a prominent leader in his industry did just that – he made some poor decisions, his failures became public, and his reputation as a man of integrity and strong ethical principles has suffered considerable damage. Being one of his admirers, I was among the many who felt both surprise and dismay at the revelations. But in reality, no one should have been caught off guard. This man had not shown any likelihood of falling into public disgrace, but sooner or later, we all are going to fail – even in living up to our own dearly held values.
The Bible, which I regard as the greatest manual ever compiled for the business and professional world, makes this very clear: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The term “sin” literally means, “to miss the mark.” The context of this biblical passage refers to missing the mark of God’s perfect and unwavering standard. I have never met a person that is perfect. Have you? Of course not. So in that sense, without any question, we all fit the description of having “sinned.”
Does that mean we should overlook, ignore, or even condone wrong behavior? No. People holding positions of leadership should understand they will be judged according to high standards and expectations – even higher than those they lead, because part of their responsibility is to serve as examples worthy of being followed.
However, to expect – even demand – perfection from them is not only unreasonable; it is also unrealistic. Almost as soon as we place our heroes on pedestals, we should start anticipating their fall from those elevated perches. Here are some principles the Bible offers for dealing with the failures of others – and our own:
Be slow to pass judgment on others. When someone’s wrongdoing is discovered, we often are quick to denounce that person as a fraud, or worse. We might be accurate, but we also need to admit that given the right circumstances, we could be equally guilty of wrong. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2).
Be certain to take a good look at yourself. It has been said that we tend to be most critical of those who reflect our own shortcomings and areas of weakness. Before condemning others, make certain you have no hidden sins of your own. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?…first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5).
Be cautious not to minimize your own vulnerabilities. Years ago, a well-known leader stated the one area in which he knew he would never stumble was in relationships. Within a year, it was revealed that this married man had been involved in an extramarital affair with an administrative assistant. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Until next week!
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran of more than 35 years in professional journalism, he is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace (River City Press) and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or www.rivercitypress.net.
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