The State of Heart Leaders- Andy Stanley (part 2)

The third heart issue leaders deal with is jealousy.

Professional jealousy is understandable. It may be unavoidable to some extent. But when it is unrecognised and ignored, it has the potential to destroy the synergy of a team. Jealous leaders measure their success by the failure of others. It is difficult for a business or non-profit to sustain momentum when leadership is focused on how well others are not doing rather than looking for ways to move their own organisations forward. Maybe most crippling of all, leaders who carry jealousy in their hearts rarely surround themselves with competent and talented people. It's too threatening.

If you can identify with all three of the ailments cited above, welcome to the human race. We all wrestle with guilt, anger, and jealousy at some level. That's why we need a Saviour. The good news is that through Christ we can bring these enemies of the heart under control. They may never be completely eliminated, but they certainly don't have to control our lives or contaminate the climate of our organisations.

If you have a secret, tell somebody. Confess. Confession eradicates guilt. Chances are you've confessed to God. Now go confess to the person you've wronged. Angry? Forgive. Forgiveness is simply a decision to cancel a debt. Take time to decipher what you think the people who've hurt you owe you and cancel that debt. Otherwise, you will make the people closest to you pay. Jealous? Look for ways to celebrate the successes of people who've pulled ahead of you. Write 'em a letter. Praise their accomplishments in public. Refuse to allow jealousy to take up residence in your heart.


The writer of Proverbs summarised it this way, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." You live from the heart. You love from the heart. And yes, you lead from your heart. So pay attention to your heart. It impacts everything you do.