With Great Power
Part 4 in a series on Power Dynamics in Leadership
The next two names God uses in the Old Testament to describe himself are Adonai, or “Lord Master” and El Shaddai, “Lord God Almighty.” Once again, we have names for God representing titles of power and authority.
The English word “lord” has a long history but doesn’t get much use today, except in the title “landlord.” The original concept of a “land-lord” as a nobleman who owns the land by reason of his title is antiquated for us today, but we do use the term to refer to someone who owns a dwelling and rents it to others.
We also don’t use “master” much today to refer to authority figures. It continues on in technology- “master servers”, and in real estate- “master bedroom”. As a society, we’ve started to consciously switch that vocabulary, as we don’t want to treat a time when people in our country were unjustly enslaved with blithe indifference.
The Old Testament context for servitude is different from the chattel slavery practiced in the United States until the mid 19th century, so it is important that we are mindful of that when referring to Jesus or God the Father as our “Lord Master”, Adonai. However, the horrific consequences of unmitigated power are very appropriate to keep in mind as we look at the terms “lord” and “master”.
Adonai, when used in Scripture, like El Elyon in our previous post is a title that is used when speaking about God or when addressing Him. Adonai is a title of respect used in its plural form for God, adon is the singular form used in Hebrew for referring to a ruler. It is not a title God uses to describe Himself.
El Shaddai, or God Almighty, however, God does use at times to introduce Himself and to refer to His authority to command or do His own will. Only a few times in the Old Testament is God Almighty used by God to refer to Himself: the overwhelming majority of uses are others referring to Him or praying to Him. We’re not just talking about positional power here, but true controlling power. God can make anything happen that He wants to.
Let’s drill down a little on that modern usage in the title “landlord.” What makes the title “landlord” foreboding at times? It refers to the person in control of the property, who could make you homeless for their own reasons, which may feel arbitrary. Certainly, not paying rent is a cause of evictions, but there are many other reasons that people get pushed out of a place that they’ve called home but did not own. Understanding what it is like to be in a place of powerlessness, unable to exert control over whether a response is just or unjust, is crucial for leaders.
As a leader over others on your team you have the power to influence or eliminate the source of income for people who report to you. People get laid off or fired from a job that provides their rent and groceries with little or no warning at all. In difficult economic times, (whether globally or just the single company someone works for) there can be a constant fear, whether expressed or not, of not having that provision for food and shelter anymore. You may feel it from time to time in your own employment and your relationship with those who have power over you, and so this one may be easier to empathize with than some other appearances of the power imbalance.
Power disparity is a present reality. It’s not something you use here and there, like your title. Whether you are aware of it or not, it affects your interactions. You need to choose to be aware of that real feeling of pressure that your authority brings to relationships with those you are supposed to be serving.
Take that pressure into account in every conversation and announcement. An innocuous comment can conjure up fear of employment ending; especially for those who have lost jobs suddenly before. The imbalance of power and its dynamic permeates everything you do. You need to be deliberate about counteracting that in the way you speak and lead so that people know your care.
One of the five books I give out most often to clients is Daniel Coyle’s book The Culture Code. It’s a well researched book that looks at successful teams and what made them work well together. You should read it, but I’m going to give you a spoiler here.
What makes groups thrive is two things that people universally feel when they are part of that group. These are two things you want your team to feel every day and that you want to reinforce with your words and actions over and over and over again. People in thriving groups see two things consistently:
You are safe here.
We have a future together.
Create a culture of safety where people belong and see belonging as a long term thing: that’s what makes great leaders of great teams. Yes, people leave those teams and go on to other things, but not because they were pushed out or cut off.
How do your direct reports approach their next workday? Is it with some eagerness to get back to the work they’re a part of? Or do they dread the work and the people and the uneasiness and uncertainty that haunts them day in and day out because there is no security?
God sets us at ease. He promises to clothe us like the lilies of the field. To feed us. To shelter us. To care for every need we have. He takes the heavy stuff and offers us the easier weight. He is Adonai and El Shaddai, and this is what He does with His power.
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:25-33 ESV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Are the people whose livelihoods you have partial control over anxious? Are they consistently overburdened? If so, you can do something about it by simply being there and wearing more burden for them wherever possible. In whatever area where you have the power, bring them safety.
Your job as a leader is to, as much as you can, stand between the people under your care and their harm. And to reassure them that you are there, that you have their backs, and that they can trust you and be safe with you. If you’re not deliberately and daily creating that type of environment for your direct reports, then they will feel the opposite. If you have power, you have the responsibility to use it well.
Use your power to create safety and a secure future for each of your team members and let them see your power being used for that purpose. In doing so you will help them to go home and sleep well knowing that no one will pull the rug out from under their fragile existence. You’ll be there to stand in the way.