The Incredible Hulk
“You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
Famous words from the Hulk.
While slightly humorous, they refer to the raging monster living within Bruce Banner. Unleashed during moments of stress and anger, Banner transforms into the green behemoth we know as The Incredible Hulk.
Throughout the 2008 film, Banner seeks to minimize the destruction caused by his lack of self-control. Pursing peace and restraint, he recognizes that unchecked power can destroy more than it protects.
A wise move, given the amount of devastation left in the wake of his temper.
Great leaders have self-control.
The scriptures remind us in Proverbs 25:28–
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
In ancient times, the walls of a city were imperative to its survival. They were its defense. The book of Nehemiah provides an entire narrative on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. In other words, the condition of the walls surrounding a city was a big deal. And if they were in shambles? It meant there was no defense. Vulnerable to attacks. At the mercy of one’s enemies. This is our condition when we lack self-control.
Tragically, we have all known leaders who have led more like the Hulk than someone with restraint.
- Missed deadlines produce a fiery reaction as opposed to a calm response.
- A parent yelling at their teenage son or daughter.
- Blasting off a reactionary text or email.
- Losing your mind at the person in traffic (looking at you Atlanta).
You get the idea. We lose it. What exactly do we lose? Our temper. Your capacity to remain cool, calm, and collected. You lose your emotional balance. Some might say you lose a peaceful “temperament”.
Full confession, I have lost my temper with someone on my team. To make things worse, it was public as opposed to private. To be clear, the individual needed correction. But rather than leading from a place of confident peace, a lack of self-control got the better of me. I raised my voice. They felt shamed. I never recovered that person’s trust. Eventually, we parted ways.
I was wrong and led the moment poorly. Whatever vocational grievance I felt didn’t warrant anger leading the conversation. It was a leadership lesson I learned the hard way and one I think about on a regular basis.
Anger shortcuts influence. Great leaders recognize their triggers and surrender them to God, choosing patience, self-control, and grace instead. In writing to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the nations, James tell us to:
…take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Leadership and anger don’t mix. Not only will it destroy the organization you lead, it does not provide an example of God’s character to a watching world. To summarize–
Great leaders have self-control.