How do you handle conflict?
Some lessons you learn the hard way in life and leadership.
Take for example a recent principle I posted about attributes of a maturing leader. I shared that a maturing leader has learned never to respond immediately in anger. Shortly after the post went live I was interviewed about it for a leadership podcast. They questioned me on how I learned that one.
How Do You Handle Conflict?
Well, most of the time you learn those things by responding in anger and regretting it later. And, this has happened to me multiple times. I once released a good employee in anger, for example. I have regretted it ever since.
Many years ago, however, I was convicted by Scripture. (Isn’t this what Scripture is supposed to do?)
I read a passage I had read many times, but I saw something this particular time I’d not previously noticed. It ended up speaking directly to the question, “How do you handle conflict?”
See if you catch it in this John 2:13-16 passage:
“The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple complex He found people selling oxen, sheep and doves, and He also found the money changers sitting there. After making a whip out of cords, He drove everyone out of the temple complex with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. He told those who were selling doves, ‘Get these things out of here! Stop turning My Father’s house into a marketplace!’”
Did you catch it? Did you see the powerful leadership principle about responding in anger?
Yes? If so then you were convicted too most likely.
It’s huge. It will change the way you deal with people in tense or confrontational environments.
If you didn’t catch it, read it one more time. This time the emphasis is mine.
“The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple complex He found people selling oxen, sheep and doves, and He also found the money changers sitting there. After making a whip out of cords, He drove everyone out of the temple complex with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. He told those who were selling doves, ‘Get these things out of here! Stop turning My Father’s house into a marketplace!’”
