Giving the Right Cues

Among the lessons we can learn from Caleb and Joshua, the two leaders who urged the children of Israel to enter into the Promised Land, is that good leaders see things differently than others.

During their scouting of the Promised Land, Caleb and Joshua observed the same things as the other ten leaders—powerful people, fortified cities—but what they saw was different. “Successful leaders see the opportunities in every difficulty rather than the difficulty in every opportunity” – Reed Markham.

It’s why good leaders don’t focus on problems; they focus on solutions.

Why is this important?

Groups typically take their cue from leaders. It’s one reason why leaders need to be careful about “wearing their emotions on their sleeves” (our next topic of discussion). If the leaders are optimistic about the chances for success, the people are more likely to be optimistic about the chances for success. If the leaders buy in to the vision, the people are more likely to buy in as well.

However, for some reason, the impact of a leader’s positive behaviors on a group does not seem to have as much impact on the group as a leader’s negative behavior (that’s a Ph.D. thesis just waiting to be written!).

For example, if a leader believes a difficult goal can be accomplished, it increases the chances (but does not guarantee) that the group will believe similarly. However, if the leader does not believe a difficult goal can be accomplished, it is a virtual certainty that the group will have similar doubts.

Nevertheless, good leaders seeking to influence people to good outcomes would do well to remember the example of Caleb and Joshua—when confronted with difficult circumstances, translate your confidence to the group (friendly warning, if you lack the confidence, see a different lesson; do not try to apply this one).

But if you are confident, acknowledge but do not focus on the difficulties. Instead, enthusiastically support the group (“we can certainly do it” – Numbers 13:30), identify what the group has going for it (“Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us” – Numbers 14:9) and express confidence in the outcome (“If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us” – Numbers 14:8).