Yesterday was tough. I desperately wanted to share some information about next year with my senior managers. I wanted, but there was a lingering fear about what might happen if I did, given that it is inappropriate for this information to be widely distributed until we have a plan of action in place. I already knew that one or more of the managers had casually made a sarcastic comment at the pub earlier in the weak that could jeopardize our ability to ever execute carefully developed and thought-out plan.
I took the open approach, asking aloud if they wanted to be involved with this information and the difficult decision process that came along with it. I warned them that if they decided to get involved that this would mean that they were now going to be party to the decision, and, as a result, bound by the role and responsibility that comes with being a senior manager. Their response came through muted words, questions and observations. Several expressed their keen interest as well as puzzlement at why I would even doubt their level of interest. After letting the conversation drift around, I looped back hard on the critical question.
“Do you want to be involved and accountable for what knowing and dealing this information? If so, then any inadvertent or advertent rumor that circles back to you brings with it a terrible price. You and I start with what will be for me a difficult conversation. Then it will proceed on to . . .”
I wonder if I have any idea what responsibility came with knowing whom and what God really is. Do I realize that I share responsibility for your soul? Do you realize that you share responsibility for people around you; Carol, Bobby, and perhaps ________ (you fill in the blank).
Paul's words linger in my mind. “So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible.” (Romans 13.2)
You and I have insider information. Do we realize our accountability?
