Servant Leadership: Lead from 6-Feet Away

Fear.

As we make plans to return to work, to school, and to life, one fact we must face as servant leaders is that some of our coworkers, classmates, and people we interact with on a daily basis will be afraid. If you have watched any news report over the last three months, you have plenty to be afraid of. Every day media reports a higher number of COVID-19 infected people, a higher number of deaths, reports of restrictions and penalties paid by rule breakers. It is not entirely the media’s fault that their role has become that of a fear peddler. Fear sells for the same reason many people watch NASCAR – the wrecks! I’ve said it myself, without wrecks it’s just NAPSCAR.

For some, fear is as real and as debilitating as any disease – Parkinson’s, leukemia, breast cancer. And when we return to work, some of our coworkers will be so focused on the fear that they will be preoccupied, unproductive, even dangerous. I know in my days as an active duty Marine, we would reject the reality with phrases like, “Marines don’t have the luxury of fear,” or “Go back to your barracks and get your man card.” That’s fine, in that culture. But most of us don’t live in a culture where fear itself is as dangerous as an enemy bullet and therefore must be crushed with violent aggression.

So, how do we, as servant leaders, handle our own fear and the fear that threatens to encapsulate our coworkers, our office space, or our workshop?

First, let’s get one thing straight. Fear is a useful emotion, under the right circumstances. There are some things you should absolutely be afraid of. A few examples would be wild predators when you are in their natural habitat, weapons of mass destruction in the hands of unstable regimes, and the effects of illegal drugs, cigarette smoke, and vape lung on our bodies. A healthy dose of fear helps us make smart decisions, like not jogging unarmed in the Everglades, or saying “no” to drugs. But there is a difference between being logically afraid and living in fear.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7, NKJV)

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt 6:34, NKJV)

God clearly doesn’t want us living in fear. But how do we handle fear in the workplace when all we’ve been told the last few months is “don’t touch your face” and “ventilation recirculates COVID-19 throughout the whole airplane in less than one minute.”

We handle it with truth and love. Yes, COVID has claimed 325,325 lives worldwide, but nearly 2 million have recovered. (www.worldometers.info/coronavirus) The mortality rate is 6.5%. The odds of actually catching Coronavirus are 1 in 7,000. The odds of being one of Earth’s 7 million people who dies from Coronavirus: 1 in 46,000.

But the odds don’t matter to someone who is paralyzed by an irrational fear of dying from Coronavirus by returning to work. “Great, so, you’ll be number 6,999 and I’ll be number 7,000.”

Remember Proverbs 12:25. “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Recall Psalm 46:1. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” And trust in Isaiah 41:13-14. “’For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you.’ Declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”

Maybe don’t take their right hand right now, but lead them in love. Make room, don’t push, and have patience. Live the promises of God in front of them and be the strength they need to see.

And wash your hands frequently – for 20 seconds – and wear a mask, if asked to – and stay 6 feet apart because the end of 2 Timothy 1:7 is “and of a sound mind.”

Be the sensitive servant leader God has made you to be.

(Photo: Atlanticbusinessmagazine.net)