Long before satellite and space technologies existed, cities and nations would place watchmen on top of city walls and in towers to see what was coming their way from a distance. They were looking for good and bad. They alerted the leaders and citizens inside the walls of traders coming with goods, as well as, warned of enemies coming to attack.
The watchmen saw farther and sooner than anyone else. They played a vital role in the safety and security of their cities and nations.
This ancient and medieval role is still vital today in every organization, but it looks different. Because of this, it is often overlooked and neglected. Today’s watchmen are those who have the ability to forecast trends and discern problems before they actually happen. Today’s watchmen use their intuition to alert others to opportunities and obstacles ahead.
One of my most difficult seasons of leadership came because of serving in the role of a watchman. I saw trouble brewing, alerted my senior leader, and then was promptly attacked for not being supportive of his desired outcome. Less than two years later, it all came to a head and he was asked to resign for trying to push the very thing through that I was warning him about. At the time, I didn’t realize I was serving as a watchman for this leader and the organization. In hindsight, I now see the role I was playing and how vital it was.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, the prophet Ezekiel was told by God that he was to be a watchman for the people of Israel. Ezekiel 33:7-9 says the following:
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.”
This passage of Scripture holds a critical leadership lesson. Watchmen are vital to the health and wellbeing of individuals, organizations, cities, and nations. The watchman is responsible for alerting others about problems to avoid and opportunities to pursue. However, he or she isn’t responsible for how the information is received and acted upon.
If you are a watchman, you must sound the alarm and share the information. That’s your duty. What is done with this information is not your responsibility.
Warning: Watchmen can become very frustrated and ultimately leave organizations when they do their part and are ignored. They rarely are willing to work for or with others who refuse to heed their warnings.
Who are the watchmen in your organization?
Who are the men and women who have strong discernment skills and display the ability to look ahead for both trouble and opportunities?
Identify these people and then lean on them for the well-being and success of your organization.
Ignore them and they will become frustrated and eventually leave. They may not even know why they are frustrated until later when they understand this important role.
Leaders come in all shapes and sizes and display a variety of skills. Spend some time today thinking about the importance of this vital role in your organization, determine who displays these qualities, and then find ways to receive regular insight and feedback from them so they can help you take advantage of opportunities and avoid trouble ahead.
Don’t overlook the watchmen. Embrace and utilize them wisely. This will pay off many times over as you advance into the future.
Until next time, make today GREAT!
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