There is an ancient Scripture that teaches, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Love DISCIPLINES. Discipline is an act of LOVE.
It always has, and it always will. Another Scripture quoting the other Scripture carries it further “All discipline in the moment is not joyful, but sorrowful, but afterwards to those who have had their senses trained by it, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
I just got off the phone with Toto who disciplined me for not disciplining ENOUGH a client we both care about. In case you don’t know, part of how Chet got his nickname is because he can and DOES bite, but it’s always out of love.
A bite communicates you mean it. You care enough not to let go until the one you care about GETS it. It stings for awhile, but mostly what gets hurt is pride — so it’s not just good for teaching but for humility too. A 2 for 1 special.
Too many clients are in chronic pain because they have not disciplined soon enough or clearly enough or DECISIVELY enough. If you have lingering underperformers on your team, you not only have not disciplined them, you have not loved them. And at the root, it’s because you have not surrounded yourself with fellow builders who have the courage and green light to discipline YOU.
A culture of discipline becomes a culture of love. Remember, discipline always looks FORWARD to correct habits & performance & character. Judgment always looks BACKWARD to pay back, not pay forward. “Leave alone ZAP” will lead to more fear, chronic anxiety, LESS trust, and consistent underperformance. Discipline will lead to more peace, deeper connectedness, MORE trust, and higher sustainable performance.
God, thank you for disciplining me directly and through my fellow builders. Help me not make light of it, and not lose heart. And help me care enough about others to discipline when needed — not out of anger, or from being inconvenienced or from annoyance — but out of true love, the kind of love that provides the courage to overcome our fear.
Love DISCIPLINES. Together we Improve.
BUILT TO LEAD 