John Stanko

"He [Jacob] said to them, 'I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me'" - Genesis 31:5.

In this verse, Jacob talked to his wives and informed them of the shift he had noticed in his working relationship with Laban, his supervisor and father-in-law. Laban's attitude had changed and Jacob took this to mean that their work contract was coming to an end. Jacob declared his trust in the Lord in the midst of this work shift and then went on to make a transition that brought him back to the land of his fathers. Leaders must learn to read people and the signs that things are changing and not cling to what was, but respond to what is so they can help create what will be -- all the while trusting the Lord for their decisions and future.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to face the reality of what your gut or instinct is telling you about a relationship with one of your team, perhaps even your supervisor. If you sense tension or a change of attitude, then it's time to address it. If the change is permanent, then you as a leader must develop a new plan for the future (and perhaps your future). You must face the truth, however, that something has changed and determine to get to the bottom of it, rather than deny it and hope it will go away on its own.