John Stanko

"But I said, 'Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!'" - Nehemiah 6:11.

Leaders are often threatened in an attempt to intimidate them. These threats come in the form of possible lawsuits, questions about their performance, insubordination or betrayal by subordinates, and criticism in general. Leaders must be confident in their ability and calling to lead and must face their own fears in order to stand firm in the day of trouble. Nehemiah did that and was not going to run away because he was the leader and had important work to do.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Are you adjusting your leadership style or decisions because others are intimidating you? Are their threats subtle or overt? Your assignment today is to face your fears, but also to face the fact that "someone like you" cannot afford to allow threats to alter your course. What threat do you have to face? Clearly identify it, and then determine what is the worst that can happen if those threats come true. Can you live with the worst? If so, then stand your ground! If not, then consider adjusting your current course.