Leadership is not for the faint of heart. It demands strength, discernment, and, at times, the willingness to wield power decisively. In my leadership teachings, I often discuss the five power bases available to leaders:
- Soft Power: Referent and expert power, rooted in trust and competence.
- Hard Power: Reward, legitimate, and coercive power, often seen as more directive or forceful.
When I ask my students to reflect on which power bases they'll use to implement their strategic plans, almost everyone insists they avoid coercive power. "Never say never," I tell them. Seasoned leaders know there will come moments when coercive power isn't just necessary—it's just.
The Law of Antagonism
One of my favorite quotes as a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy comes from John Stuart Mill:
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things: the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing which he is willing to fight for, nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Mill's words resonate because life without conflict is impossible—not just on a battlefield but also spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and even professionally. As leaders, we must prepare to fight for what is good, true, and just.
Oswald Chambers put it beautifully in his My Utmost for His Highest devotional (December 4):
"The law of antagonism means that in order to stay healthy, I have to fight."
Whether battling the lazy complacency of a team, quelling gossip, or addressing outright theft or unethical behavior, leadership is a fight to preserve what is good against the ever-encroaching forces of chaos.
From Puppies to Preparedness
When I turned 60, I adopted two Australian Shepherd puppies. Not only are they my favorite breed, but they also became part of my personal battle plan against osteoporosis. Regular walks with my Blue Merle Girls, Tanzanite, and Sapphire create micro-fractures in my bones that promote strength. This physical analogy parallels leadership: stress and opposition, when correctly managed, strengthen us.
Similarly, when I contracted Lyme disease, my infrared sauna became my daily battleground. The heat kills off the spirochetes before they can take hold. These experiences remind me that life is a constant fight for spiritual, emotional, and physical health.
The Hard Reality of Leadership
In the workplace, there are times when soft power is insufficient. Perhaps you've had to:
- Terminate a toxic employee who spreads negativity.
- Stand firm in the face of pushback from those resistant to necessary change.
- Confront theft or dishonesty within your organization.
These actions are uncomfortable, but they're vital to protect the organization's culture and integrity. Jesus Himself warned us about the inevitability of trouble:
"In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Leadership requires us to confront sin—be it laziness, gossip, or outright sabotage—within our ranks. Evil doesn't rest, and neither can we. Strength across all areas ensures we're ready for whatever enemy lies in wait, and our preparedness often ensures those enemies never even step through the door.
Fight for What's Right
Leadership is a sacred calling to protect and uplift those in our care. It's a fight—a fight worth waging. As leaders, we must:
- Stay strong in all areas—spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
- Be willing to use the correct power base at the right time, even coercive power when necessary.
- Prepare so thoroughly that many battles are won before they even begin.
As we approach the season of Christmas, it's a poignant reminder that the first time Jesus entered the world, He came as a gentle, humble, and full of grace babe in a manger. But the next time Jesus returns, it won't be in a baby carriage. He will return to vanquish sin and evil, destroy the wicked, and cleanse the earth. This triumphant second coming will be the mightiest, smitiest display of hard power eternity has ever witnessed!
As leaders, let us follow His example: offering grace and truth in equal measure, using power wisely, and fighting with courage and righteousness until the very end.
