Don’t be defensive when asked “What Were You Thinking?” Instead, be in a position to say you were acting deliberately, as guided by a just character!
I Am What I Think
The “What Were You Thinking?” question most often implies that my actions were wrong. Perhaps you heard this question as a teenager. Maybe, like me, on a regular basis!
The most honest, and most unlikely, answer to this question is “I wasn’t thinking at all.” Thus, we see the inherent problem of quickly responding to a stimulus without careful thought.
Unfortunately, my actions are just as likely to be based on deliberate choice. So, I did it on purpose! Problem is, the “on purpose” didn’t turn out the way I expected because I lacked foresight due to simple-mindedness.
Fact is, over time, our thoughts become our purposes or intentions. In turn, those intentions become deliberate actions.
And, at times, the outcomes are problematic.
So, it’s important to watch our thoughts because according to Proverbs 23.7 we become our habitual thought pattern. Thus, … I become what I constantly think about …
Mental models like stimulus-response, action-reaction, and risk-reward are versions of sow-reap. Ultimately, I reap what I sow!
I Do What I Intend
It’s no big revelation that scripture makes a number of observations about thoughts and intentions. For example:
1). My thoughts are not the same as God’s thoughts, Isaiah 55.8-9: my thoughts are not your thoughts … your ways are not my ways …
2). In the long run, God’s thoughts are what matters, Proverbs 19.21: … the counsel of the Lord will stand.
3). God discerns my thoughts, First Chronicles 28.9 and Psalm 94.11: The Lord knows the emptiness of the thoughts of man. Unsurprisingly, God hates wicked thoughts, Proverbs 6.18.
4). Thoughts reflect my character, Genesis 6.5. As such, good thoughts suggest a good character, Proverbs 12.5: The thoughts of the righteous reflect sound judgment … Conversely, bad thoughts a bad character, Proverbs 15.26.
5). My purposes are settled when I commit my work to God, Proverbs 16.3. Similarly, good advice helps purposes succeed, Proverbs 15.22 and Proverbs 20.18: … purposes are settled by good advice …
6). My purposes become constructive actions when accompanied by wisdom, experiential insight, factual knowledge, and wise-heartedness.
For some references related to wisdom, read Exodus 31.1-6 and Exodus 35.32-35. When reading, note that those who were “hired” combined practical skills with experiential insight. Hence, the wisdom of knowing and doing.
Moreover, the knowing and doing of decisive thoughts and careful actions bring abundance, Proverbs 21.5: Decisive thoughts and purposeful actions bring abundance!
7). God’s thoughts for me are for peace and hope, as He said in Jeremiah 29.11. Therefore, He knows what He’s thinking!
In short, when asked “What Were You Thinking?” I can respond that I was thinking about who I am becoming! On purpose!
Leadership Insight
Leaders grow personally and professionally because they’re intentional about where, when, and how they are growing.
Thus, they become their dominant thought pattern – on purpose!
Who I am drives my saying and doing. To improve, I focus on character rather than daily habits. As such, I change my life by changing myself!
In addition, impactful leaders recognize the very fundamental link between their purposes and their character. Therefore, they guard their character because who they are drives what they do.
Above all else, guard your heart. Why? Because your character determines what flows out of your life! Proverbs 4.23 paraphrase
Most critically, impactful leaders recognize the connection between their spiritual life and their ultimate success.
Finally, impactful leaders see beyond themselves by acknowledging the importance of traits such as experiential insight, sound counsel, and wise-heartedness. Those traits come from intentionally being a listener and a learner.
Personal Insight
For a good portion of my academic career I was in an administrative position that required me to manage student complaints.
The process involved hearing the student story. Sometimes, more than one student was involved. Then, I asked the faculty member for their side of the story. Other times, the department chair was consulted. Or, other units on campus.
Occasionally, I heard from a parent. Or, worst yet, from the president’s office after the parent called the president’s office first.
Sometimes the parents were the ones most distanced from reality because they refused to believe their child would stretch the facts.
Now, add into this mix a formal process, posted on the university Web site, that specifies what steps are to be followed, by whom, and when. Ah, bureaucracy at its finest!
Guess what? The stories from the student, the parent, and the faculty member rarely matched! So, the first challenge was to identify facts. Then, separate fact from fantasy.
As it turns out, after a number of years of gathering experiential insight, I began to notice patterns in student stories. I’m not saying I’ve heard it all, but I’ve certainly heard a lot of unbelievable accounts from all parties!
I’m sharing this because I think it pushes us back to knowing and doing. And, it emphasizes the importance of experiential insight that’s only gained over time.
What Were You Thinking?
In short, impactful leaders build their “doing” ability by purposefully becoming wise-hearted. As such, they change outcomes by changing their mindset.
And, they choose to build insights based on experiences. Moreover, impactful leaders make deliberate choices about who they become.
Wherefore, “What Were You Thinking?” is easy to answer when the leader’s actions are based on careful and deliberate thought as informed by experiential insights.
Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me: larrydaleyoung@gmail.com
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