Early in my Christian, church leadership days, I had a decision to make.  A service was needed in our church which required hiring an outside para-church organization. I interviewed two or three companies. One of the men I interviewed was a member of our church. In the end I contracted with one of the other organizations, whom I thought would give us a better product.

A few people in the church were upset and queried why I would choose a company other than the one of our church member. It turns out we had members from two families in the church working for this organization. They would’ve provided an adequate product for us, yet I had made my decision. With several people in the room, including the young man whose family was negatively impacted by my decision, the Senior pastor asked me, “Are you confident that you made the right decision?” I answered, “Yes.” He replied, “Okay then. It’s done.”

Through the years, I have thought of that situation and realized, yes, I made the best decision according to my leadership training and the years I had spent in leadership in the corporate world. It was not a bad decision – for the church members, for our budget, for the resulting product. It was good in all these areas. But did I do right by my brother in Christ? Today, I would likely give the work to my fellow church member.

Both organizations did very good work and produced quality resources. I had based my decision on all corporate worldly factors, not factoring in the financial and spiritual welfare of my fellow church member. Like many younger leaders I was somewhat impetuous in my decision-making. Seasoned leaders are likely to be more sensitive to the physical, fiscal, and spiritual aspects of decision making.

Good leaders are analytical. I was analytical in my decision making, at least from a corporate America point of view. Seasoned leaders are not only analytical, they are also sensitive to areas younger leaders tend to miss. Don’t tense up younger leaders. I am speaking from experience and from reading research on the topic. Seasoned leaders are more likely to acknowledge calculated risk factors of decision making. Seasoned spiritual leaders tend to seek counsel from other wise, seasoned spiritual leaders.

My encouragement to young leaders is to yes be analytical, learn to be sensitive to the needs of all who will affected by your decision, and be certain to surround yourself with seasoned spiritual decision-making leaders. They are not all old and outdated. They can help give you wise counsel that could save some embarrassment and hardship and may be able to see beyond your blind spots. Can you name three such leaders in your life?

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.