Iron Sharpens Iron
Daily Reading: Exodus 8, Psalm 58, Acts 14, Proverbs 27
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.
Proverbs 27:22
Just yesterday I was chatting with someone about the challenge of accountability. Whether it is a co-worker, teammate, friend, or family member, there often arise times where we need to call people up to the best version of themselves.
Perhaps they have not been giving the same level of effort they normally do. Maybe they have been treating other people poorly. There might be some bad habits that have begun creeping into their daily lives. They might be engaging in gossip and their negativity is having a real impact on people around them.
Whatever the case, there is a course correction needed.
In these circumstances, it can be so nerve wracking for most people to speak up.
However, if we refuse to call people up to the best version of themselves, we are hurting them as much as we are hurting our team, other team members, and ourselves.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
The best teams I have ever been a part of in the world of business and in the athletic arena have a culture of accountability. People are willing to step into uncomfortable conversations for the good of the team.
At times, it will not work. At times, it will look a lot more like the second Proverb we read today:
Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding them like grain with a pestle, you will not remove their folly from them.
Some people will never listen and never change.
In those circumstances, leaders now need to make hard decisions about whether that person belongs on the team.
However, if we have not given that person the chance to grow because we are afraid of conflict, then we have not done our part. In assuming they will never change, we have forfeited our ability to act as iron sharpening iron.
So, next time you have the opportunity, call someone up to the best version of themselves. Lean into the difficult. It may not work, but at least you will have given it your best and have no regrets that you never tried.
It is far more fun being on a team of people who embrace that iron sharpens iron.
We all have the chance to bring that mindset into the lives of those around us!
Daily Reflection & Dialogue
Who is one person in your life that you have been considering having a potentially difficult conversation with? What has been holding you back?
