Why did he ignore that opportunity? How could he take so long to decide which option is best? Why aren’t we fixing this issue already? Why should you give a little grace?

Simply put, it’s much easier for us to think we have the solution from where we’re standing. It’s all so simple, isn’t it?

But it never is. There’s always more to it than that.

The world isn’t black and white like a chessboard. Sometimes the world is full of crazy gradients and nuances and complex textures, like the Wizard of Oz after the house drops on the lady with the striped socks.

Maybe there are multiple solutions to the issue at hand.

Maybe there are many details and complications involved in the decisions made by your leadership. Maybe there are obstacles your leaders face that you don’t understand from your seat. Maybe your boss isn’t really an idiot!

If we remember that, it will allow us to show grace to our leaders when they need it. (And it turns out we all need grace pretty often!)

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
— Matthew 7:2

You might really be on to something with your perspective. You see the information in a way that leads you to a different conclusion, and there is something to be said for that. Everyone is an expert on their own opinion, and we should all try to remember that.

But maybe you don’t have it all figured out correctly, and maybe there are several significant problems complicating what you believe you understand right now.

Give a little grace toward your leader, and perhaps some will find its way back when you need it.

And maybe you will be able to enjoy your leadership more, because you will be able to take your focus off of what is wrong, and begin to place it on what is going well.