Popularity...

Tomorrow, Barak Obama (the man with most Irish name outside of Ireland) will have his 100th day as President of USA. His popularity remains impressively high throughout the country, however some journalists still feel the need to highlight opposition.

Apparently, because of policy Obama has introduced, South Carolina has seen sales of ammunition soar with members of the public wanting to feel like they can retain some independance from a government growing in power. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2009/04/the_view_from_rural_south_caro.html

I have a lot of respect for what little I know of Barak (Mr Obama to you.) He seems assured in where he's heading, and his confident he can get there no matter what comes his way. Yet it seems as a leader, there are still people who don't feel the same as me.

This is what I'm learning - and in all honesty, struggling with - about leadership at the minute.

I'm an includer. I love to meet new people, and make sure they feel welcomed and involved. As a side effect, I love to be liked. I suppose everyone does. But I view it as important, maybe even a sign of success. Is this wrong?

Steve Chalke (Oooh, controversial...) says "You can't lead anyone anywhere unless you are prepared to make decisions that make you unpopular with some of the people, some of the time. (Not to mention a few of them, all the time!)"

If you try to get everyone to like you, you'll never achieve anything.

I see the logic, and obviously there's a balance between how often you're friendly and confrontational. However, what is the balance? How often, or rather when should you know when to challenge / confront people.

Jesus did get angry. Just look at the whole 'kafuffle' with people selling stuff in the temple.

I'm getting better at it. I'm even starting to involve looking people in the eye when I challenge them. Though it's never easy.

I pray God will be developing this side of me.