There Is Always More To The Story

"Leadership is lonely." No kidding. That sentiment has been repeated so many times, we don't know who to credit with the quote.

A few months ago I read an article in Newsweek magazine that helped illustrate the lesson. (You can read it here) The article described the the leadership of George H. Bush (W's daddy). He was often described as a wimpy leader. The article attempted to refute such an accusation. One example of H's wimpy leadership surrounded the falling of the the Berlin wall and the subsequent fall of communism in Eastern Europe and eventually the Soviet Union. When the wall fell, many thought that the President of the free world should lead the celebration with the first dance in the street. He should have given a long-distance pep talk to the wall-whackers and a harsh scolding to the communist leaders. But he seemed to do nothing. The resulting judgment of his leadership: wimpy.

The author explained, however, that according to many sources close to the President, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev had sent a message asking the United States, "not to take provocative action that might instigate a Tiananmen Square-like military crackdown in East Germany."  Gorbachev and other leaders realized that communism was falling, and they were allowing it to fall, but only naturally and without the intervention or provocation from other nations. President Bush complied with the request, remained quiet, and did nothing. That communication remains classified, even to this day.

If I were a conspiracy theorist, I might question whether or not such a message was ever sent. But I'm not, and that is not really the point of this writing, so I'll just go with it. Assuming it was true, it seems that the President took a hit, knowing that his actions might allow communism to fall, but at the expense of his perceived leadership.

I have learned at least this much about leadership: there is always more to the story than anyone knows. Every decision is always more complex that you or I think it is. It is only a simple issue when viewed from one perspective. Add a second or third perspective, and it immediately gets complex. Of course, most of us see life only from our perspective. The job of a leader is to see as many perspectives as possible and then make a decision, knowing that someone, if not everyone, will be disappointed.

As Americans who appreciate broad freedom, we don't like this "secretive" leadership.  "Why not just tell us the rest of the story or the other perspectives?" we ask demand. Well, for starters, we are often asked not to share one or more sides to the story. Sometimes the other perspectives involve deeply personal, private, and sensitive information that you wouldn't want me telling others and so they probably don't want me to tell you. So sometimes leaders are not allowed to share the "more" to the story. But don't fret- you will appreciate it when it is your "more" that is not shared.

So if you are struggling with the leadership of your pastor, your boss, your parent or your President, remember this- there is always more to the story than what you see or know.