JUDGING MOTIVATION IS ABOVE YOUR PAY GRADE
Several years back, I found myself in a mentor’s office getting ready to put someone’s head on the chopping block. I explained to him (in a rather heated fashion) that that person was divisive and manipulative. I went on to explain why, and what I intended to do about it.
As I ranted on, he leaned back in his chair and stopped me dead in my tracks. He quoted a verse from the Bible that made me start to reassess what I do when it comes to judging people. He said “No one knows the spirit of a man, except that man himself.” He went on to help me discover that there is no possible way that I could know that person’s motivation and that I needed to take some time and sit down with him, ask him questions and get to know him. As it turns out, the person was not the devil even though their actions were being divisive. I saved myself from my own personal Salem Witch trial, and was able to work the situation out.
Have you ever started down the path of trying to figure out what someone is thinking, or why they are doing something? The fact is that people all over do things that are divisive, deceitful, hurtful, and on and on and on. The challenge is that when we start thinking we have some God given insight into the soul that we get into trouble, and create bias’ that do not serve us well.
Next time you find yourself creating a story as to why someone did something, take a step back from your throne and think about a few things:
1.) Do I know this persons thoughts, background, pains and victories? If not, maybe I should take some time to listen first.
2.) If this persons’ actions are creating a negative result, have a conversation about the actions and results. There is no need for you to try to be God and bring their motives into it. If the action and result is unwanted, ask questions around those instead of the motive. You may discover a bigger picture and fill in some of your own blind spots in the process.
3.) Be a Leader and see that person as just that… a PERSON. When we start to judge motives, we start to objectify people and create an object that is less than a person with a destiny, a purpose, and a passion.
When I was in the military, they had a saying if you were in over your head, or trying to make a decision that should be made by someone who was higher up. They would simply say “That’s above your pay-grade.” When it comes to judging others motivations, take my advice… It’s above your pay-grade.
