Don McMinn

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

Prior to War World 2, the US military produced fewer than 3,000 planes annually. Then came war. In the next five years Americans built 300,000 planes. That’s 6.8 planes an hour, 24 hours a day. Our industrial complex also built five ships per day for four years.

Several years ago I wrote a post highlighting the fact that in 2016, the Queen Mary 2 (which at 148,528 tons and 1,132 feet long, is one of the largest passenger ships in the world) was totally remastered in 26 days. It was totally rebuilt—engines overhauled, cabins redesigned, painted inside and out, technology updated—in less than a month. Try to imagine the complexity of that project. But it got done by a focused, motivated group of people, no doubt led by a determined leader.  

Leaders, your greatest opportunity and greatest challenge is to harness human potential. Begin by creating a vivid, viable vision that will activate and focus dormant human resources and motivate people to achieve things they could never imagine doing on their own. 

“Charm is deceptive” (Proverbs 31:30). 

“Though their speech is charming, do not believe them” (Proverbs 26:25).

Some people are unintentionally charming. For instance, my grandson, Benjamin. He’s endearing, likable, funny, adorable, and appealing. He doesn’t try to be charming, he just is. This is the adjective form of the word.

But some people intentionally try to charm people, often to manipulate them. This is the verb form of the word. Beware of these people.

For instance:

• • • We may be overly influenced by someone’s good looks; but just because someone is attractive, doesn’t mean she or he is competent, or possesses good character. Yet, studies indicate that attractive people are more likely to get hired for a job. Why is that so? 
    • We may be attracted to someone who talks a lot. But does verbosity imply anything other than…verbosity? 
    • We may be inordinately impressed by someone who has overcome a major obstacle. But is that single, valiant act reason to be entranced? 
    • Some people are overly impressed by professional athletes or movie stars. These individuals obviously excel at something, but does their narrow expertise make them an authority in other areas?

Leaders, when choosing team members don’t be misled by factors that don’t relate to job performance. Don’t be enamored by looks, talk, or bravado. Focus on qualities and experience that indicate competence and good character.

I started this post with Bible verses; I’ll end with one. 

“Don’t judge by his appearance or height… The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT).

“In every good marriage, it helps sometimes to be a little deaf. I have followed that advice assiduously, and not only at home through 56 years of a marital partnership nonpareil. I have employed it as well in every workplace, including the Supreme Court. When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken, best tune out. Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade.”  –Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg [This excerpt from Ginsburg’s new book My Own Words appeared in a New York Times article.]

Your spouse, friend, colleague, or total stranger makes a silly, unnecessary, provocative, or dubious statement. It may be, at best, trivial, inaccurate, vague, or unfair; at worst, it’s tacky, wrong, even hurtful. Is it okay to just let verbal flatulence slowly dissipate without addressing it, or should we respond?

As Ginsburg advises, sometimes no response is the best response.

Granted, there are times when unwholesome words should be addressed, particularly if someone is a repeat offender. Chronic verbal abuse is inexcusable and should not go unchallenged.

So the question is: when should you ignore and when should you respond to an off-putting statement?

In the coming days, exercise the “Ginsburg-restraint.” It is a tool we all need in our relational toolbox.