So as He stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then He began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 (HCSB)
Wise leaders will always have a schedule, a plan to use time most productively. But the wisest leader never makes it his master!
Important but unplanned moments periodically occur that should not be lost, even though they disrupt a planned schedule. One of the tensions of leadership is finding the proper balance between adhering to a well-planned schedule and being flexible enough not to lose those spontaneous opportunities that cross our paths. This is not easy! I have seen both extremes.
Some leaders seem to stroll from one unplanned event to another, their schedules meaning nothing. At the other extreme, I have seen leaders who rarely deviate from a planned schedule, resulting in many missed opportunities. Both extremes are examples of ineffective leadership.
How do we find balance?
Jesus had a plan, one which He moved strategically to accomplish. But as He did so, He utilized those special, unplanned occasions to contribute to the successful conclusion of His original plan. By following a schedule until those "special opportunities" arise that make the goal more attainable, you will maintain a schedule that works for you and your organization.
As in the above passage, compassion was typically Jesus' motivation for deviating from His schedule. He turned from what He was doing because He recognized that people "were like sheep without a shepherd, then He began to teach them many things."
Compassion may not seem useful for today's leaders who operate in intense business situations, but consider this: a concern for the welfare of other people rarely leads us to an unprofitable or unproductive use of our time. Wise compassion - the kind that moved Jesus - does not cause a leader to become so weak that he damages his enterprise or hurts those around him. Rather, it is a clear-headed emotion that enables us to strive to accomplish the most good for the most people.
Sometimes this is achieved by closely adhering to a schedule. Sometimes it is achieved by being flexible and taking compassionate detours that help to accomplish your overall goal.
When thinking about your schedule, remember how Jesus approached His.
