The Christmas Story Slaps Traditional Authority in the Face
The story of Christmas is a slap in the face to traditional authority. It doesn’t matter if you think it’s true or myth. The story disrupts common ways of thinking.
Traditional authority expects others to adapt.
You might, for example, expect people to follow your instructions because you have position and authority. But the Christmas-way signals an accommodation of the greater to the lesser.
The one with greater authority adapts to those with less authority.
Adopt a greater to lesser approach:
#1. Resolve to connect by adapting.
The list of terrifying ways God might show up doesn’t include infant. The Christmas story reflects an invitation for connection.
You might expect those with less authority to adapt to you. But the first Christmas is greater authority adapting to lesser authority for the purpose of knowing and being known.
It’s tempting to spend your time buttering-up higher-ups. But the Christmas story elevates the lower downs.
Tip: Nurture your relationship with higher ups AND strengthen your connection with team members.
The temptation to focus on those who bring you advantage becomes disadvantage when your team feels disrespected.
How might you strip away the trappings and protocols of authority that block connection?
#2. Take initiative.
Authority tends to stand aloof, to feel superior. But the first Christmas illustrates the greater moving first and moving toward.
Grant yourself permission to move first. Don’t wait for others to come to you. Move toward connection.
Show up so frequently that:
- People aren’t nervous when they see you coming.
- You know people’s names.
- People feel free to speak the truth, even if it’s difficult.
- You can encourage people because you know what they’re working on.
#3. Don’t abdicate.
A greater to lesser approach is about relationship, not the abdication of responsibility. You still need to make decisions, have tough conversations, and clarify direction.
The Christmas-way depends more on relationship than position and authority.
Dear Dan,
A real good business message on Christmas! In the fast changing world, people in position and authority need to adopt an approach of going to the ground level to understand the psyche of followers or common people with less authority and decisive power. Adapting to their needs with required steps can bring in easy acceptability and commitment to progress.
Great thoughts as shared to say good bye to the tough, unpredictable year of 2020!
Thanks Dr. Asher. Love your insights. And I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.
Great post! Thank you for all you do! And Merry Christmas!!
Thanks John and Merry Christmas to you too!
Ha! Brilliant post. Powerful interpretation of a story that is now so far away from it’s origin that it is unrecognizable.
Thanks D. Gray-Young. The idea of accommodation always emerges for me when I reflect on the first Christmas.
Merry Christmas Dan and family,
I like the lesser than the ” power of fist”, so yo speak. The authority is only as high as our alignment is in the organization for example, when others can over ride us whsts the sense? I like to believe if we delegate that should be enough, when we become authoritative others tend to push back. Sometimes we have to take a stand so we need to have factual evidence to change the course. Cheers
Merry Christmas Tim. Thank you for all the comments you have left. I look forward to more. Cheers
Thank you Dan and followers, I enjoy the knowledge that you all share.
I could watch this a 1000 times but watch this short special to see the accommodation to humble circumstances and the impact it makes on those that experience it…..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paOjgZZDads
Thanks Mark. I have friends who love that series. We haven’t watched it though.
Very insightful. It’s not always about being higher up. You need to learn to connect
Thanks Mimi. Learning to be a higher up AND connect – that’s the secret.
Great insights Dan – love it 😊
Thanks John. Happy New Year.
Another amazing post Dan! This is so true. It was countercultural then and counter-cultural now. Leaders need to move toward those with less status. This was and is a big part of influence. Authentic, vulnerable, empathetic and open. it is impossible to be that way if one stands aloof. Thanks for all you are sharing, Dan
Thank you Ron. I hope you enjoyed the holiday…now here’s to a great New Year.
Dan, Wow, using the greatest story and news of Christmas and Christ coming to consider how we can become better leaders and better people. Peace on earth. Peace in our places of work and ministry. Thanks for being bold in a culture where some dare us to even talk about Christ on Christmas.
Thanks Dr. Dale. I must say that peace is a wonderful word. We could use a little more of it, both internally and in the world.