Avoid Destructive Partnerships (Good advice from Paul and John Maxwell)
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:1
Healthy leaders often partner with others to reach their goals. In fact, we live in an age of partnerships, both in the corporate world and the church. Paul reminds us that nothing is more dangerous to a leader than an unhealthy or destructive partnership. Note several signs of a bad partnership:
- The parties don’t share the same values.
- The parties don’t agree on the goal.
- One or both parties must compromise their convictions.
- One party selfishly demands that the other surrender.
- One party benefits and the other loses.
Good partnerships do not foster co-dependence or independence, but interdependence. Each party feels secure, is stretched and enjoys synergy. The partnership multiplies the productivity of both parties.
The Maxwell Leadership Bible