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A tipping point is a moment in an evolving situation that leads to a new and irreversible development. Usually, when leaders or organizations get to a tipping point, two things can either take place. One is that the leader or the organization could become better off. Second is that the leader or the organization could become worse off. Either of the outcomes is usually dependent on the way and manner the situation is handled and managed and this why what you do at your tipping points matter a lot. In most situations, a tipping point can also be said to be a turning point, either for good or for bad in the life of any leader or any organization. Let us read this story of David in 1 Samuel 30:1-6 for our consideration and case study.
Listen to Podcast: Leadership and Organizational Tipping Point
“Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, 2 and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. 4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
Now for David, this was one of the tipping points of his leadership assignment. He had been doing valiantly well in his leadership assignment until it got to this point when everything seems to be turning around and against his progress. The Bible says “David was greatly distressed” because the people he was leading even thought of stoning him. Everyone was at their tipping point so to say, and the whole buck stops on the table of the leader. The truth of the matter is this and I want us to get it as leaders. When your organization is at a tipping point, the buck stops on your table as the leader. When your nation is at a tipping point, the bucks stop on your table as the leader. When your business is at a tipping point, the buck stops on your table as the leader. When the people you are leading are at their tipping points, the buck stops on your table as the leader.
So, what do you do in such situations and circumstances? How do you make sure that you don’t lose everything even though you have lost some things? Let us examine from the life of David what he did and how he came out of this situation. The Bible says “But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” As a leader, when you are at your tipping point, the first thing you require is strength and all the encouragement you could muster to carry on, even though every index is pointing toward you giving up. David could have ended his leadership assignment right there and then after that major setback, but he did otherwise, he strengthened himself in the Lord and so, he found the courage to continue.
Also, when you are at a tipping point in your leadership assignment or when your organization is experiencing a tipping point moment, don’t fail to ask questions. If you read further in the account of David in 1 Samuel 30 from verse 7-8, one of the things David did was to consult God and ask for directions. The Bible says: “Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” Many leaders fail at their tipping points simply because they lack the courage to forge ahead. In the face of discouragement, courage is all you need to get the ball rolling again. Without courage, leaders are forgotten in the pit of failure and forgetfulness.
Peter Drucker, who is credited to be the father of modern management once said “Whenever you see a successful business, someone made a courgageous decision.” Whenever you see a successful organization or a successful leader, the leader then must have made a courageous decision. Without courage, no one can lead anything successfully. So, when you are at the tipping point of your leadership, don’t throw your courage into the wind. Summon courage and then forge ahead with your leadership assignment.
Joshua 1:1-9
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Don’t forget these two things even as I conclude now. As a leader at his or her tipping point, the first thing you require is strength. You sure need it to be able to stand on your two feets. And then the second thing you require is your courage, courage to carry on in the face of the many troubles that you are experiencing in your leadership. Once these two things are present, you will overcome whatever hurdle that is bringing about in your leadership and in your organization.
Thank you for the gift of your time, my name remains Abiola Obayomi. Please don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends and colleagues and with as many people that you know would need it. We can also interact by reaching me via the comment section or on whatsapp. This conversation can continue when you reach out to me. Till next time on Leaderview, remain effective in your leadership. God bless you.
[Centre for New Dimension Leadership]
