TUESDAY THOUGHTS: CREDIBILITY

So many voices. Thank God for the credible, the brave, and the truth tellers.

Some endeavor to reassure and educate. Others, unfortunately, seem to be on a mission to terrify, misinform, and confuse.

There’s a difference between having a heart for the well-being of others, and being self-righteous, dictatorial, a bully, or an ignorant embarrassment. 

Your way, methods, habits, interpretations, may work for you because they’re familiar, or were introduced, taught, or pushed by someone you trusted. Perhaps your way is all you know—all you have ever known—so you fiercely defend it; you arrogantly impose it onto others, but you’ve never taken the time to ask, study, read, or research the validity, flexibility or reliability of it. You think you’re winning; you’re on the right road, but are you? You think you look good, and know best. Do you? By who’s estimation or standards do you judge yourself, and subsequently judge others? 

Are others endeavoring to follow your lead, heeding your words, trusting your wisdom, admiring your ethic, or merely humoring or tolerating you? Are they ignoring you altogether because what they see is louder than what you say?

You will wear yourself out beating a drum that no one wants to hear, because they know it’s flawed, hypocritical, self-centered, or manipulative. Your ways may work for you. That doesn’t mean they’re right, fair, or honorable. 

So many would think before speaking if they knew how repelling their words actually are.

Credibility matters. Confessing what you don’t know is just as important as professing what you do know. 

Poorly representing your employer, supervisor, or leader, especially without authorization, is grounds for termination. 

Following a poor leader has its own unfortunate consequences. 

Don’t misrepresent yourself. Give others the grace you’ve been shown. Be kinder to yourself. Know whether your help is helping or hurting. Yield to the expert in the room. It doesn’t mean you’re useless or weak.