Compliance or Cooperation

It seems like too often in my life I want cooperation from the people I lead, but my actions are actually producing compliance, instead. 

• I want my employees to enthusiastically pursue the vision of our organization, but I settle for them simply avoiding another write-up.
• I want Toni to trust my leadership of our family, but I'll settle for her simply not forcing me to get another dog.
• I want Karizma to want to be the kind of person who respects her things and cares for them, but I'll settle for her room not being such a disaster that she gets punished.
• I want Koke to love and protect his sister, but I'll settle for them just not fighting the whole way to Wal-Mart.

The problem is cultivating cooperation is exhausting. It requires patiently repeating core values. It requires explaining why certain behaviors are preferred again, and again. And hardest of all, it requires that I consistently model those values and behaviors myself. 

The truth is that I can't always be looking over my employees shoulders...I know that passionately pursuing Toni's loving submission is my calling in our marriage...I know my kids deserve a father, not just a rule enforcer.

So I'm praying that tomorrow, I'll be more of the leader that people want to follow than the leader that people fear...I'll be more of the husband who is trusted instead of tolerated...the dad who is honored instead of placated.

Phil 2:12