Clinton on conflict - again!

In a power conflict the leader with higher power will usually win regardless of rightness of issue, and a person convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. (The Making of a Leader, Robert Clinton, p179)


I learnt this one early in ministry. It takes some humility and wisdom to know which battles to fight and what is of primary importance and what is secondary. Too often leaders who are used to leading their own team misunderstand how to relate to leaders over them. John Maxwell’s book - 360° Leadership - is another excellent resource to help you understand the different skills and dynamics involved.

Robert Clinton on character

A leader whose ministry skills outstrip his character formation will eventually falter. (The Making of a Leader, Robert Clinton, p 167)


One of my prayers is, ‘Lord, please don’t let me step beyond my character and gifting’. Sadly, this request is probably rooted in pride and not wanting to be over-exposed... Very often the main reason ministry progress falters is due to character issues rather than gifting. I know many leaders who have far great gifts than I do, but their limit in willingness to receive counsel, or grow a strong marriage, becomes their Achilles’ heel.

Clinton quote on conflict

Conflict is a powerful tool in the hand of God and can be used to teach a leader lessons that he would not learn in any other way... What we truly are is revealed in a crisis...It is bad enough to go through conflict; it is worse to go through conflict and not profit from it. (The Making of a Leader by Robert Clinton, pp 107 – 108)


I have learnt more through the difficult times in leadership than in times of success. God uses conflict to hone character and to teach us lessons in ways no other experience can. I believe one of my leadership gifts is team building – King’s has a great team, full of gifted men and women. I learnt more about how team works when I was a part of a team which broke up. This experience, rather than make me pull back from building team, enabled me to increase my awareness on how team works.

More from Robert Clinton

Those who self-initiate often disrupt the status quo and threaten those in authority over them. In the resulting conflict, the promising quality of self-initiative can be over-looked. Leaders need to recognize the value of this quality and be on the alert for those emerging leaders who demonstrate it. (The Making of a Leader - Robert Clinton - page 87)




It takes a leader with some experience and security to discern the difference between a rebellious spirit and someone who is showing leadership potential. I remember the first time I met Stef Liston – he was a young man on FP Impact training and he continually asked questions. I could have easily found his interruptions to my session annoying, however, it was that very spark which has helped to make him such an excellent leader...!