Confrontation
Many of the youth workers I encounter struggle with confrontation. Whether it be an adult volunteer, parent or students, youth workers often feel powerless and afraid to confront bad behavior and attitudes. There is a cost to not confronting; loss of respect, loss of joy at work, and loss of effectiveness. For many of us, we give those things away and live in fear of having a real heart to heart with someone because we think it will be too hard for us or cause to much pain. You will never lead until you confront. Sorry, I couldn’t think of a nicer way to say that, but its true. If you want to lead, you must confront. Don’t tell yourself you don’t have the personality for confrontation, that is a lie. Everyone has the personality for confrontation, we all just do it differently depending on our personality.
Many of you hate your ministry because you have not confronted some people who are abusing it or taking advantage of you. My heart breaks for you. A great book to read is Crucial Confrontations. Now is the time to speak the truth in love, Jesus confronted many people and he can help you. Confronting someone could help them make the changes they need to grow and it can help you be a leader.
About the Author
Doug Franklin
Doug Franklin is the president of LeaderTreks, an innovative leadership development organization focusing on students and youth workers. Doug and his wife, Angie, live in West Chicago, Illinois. They don’t have any kids, but they have 2 dogs that think they are children. Diesel and Penelope are Weimaraners who never leave their side. Doug grew up in… Read More
