Excerpt, Maxwell Leadership Bible

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tonge of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness... A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so. Proverbs 15:1-7

God rightly expects leaders to manage conflict within their organizations. But how can you best accomplish this? A good place to start is Proverbs 15:1. While this verse is often quoted, some leaders seldom heed its advice. Sometimes the leaders are the ones given liberty to express anger, and sooner or later this kind of unhealthy environment comes back to haunt them.

Leaders must create safe places for communication, like the environment described in the first seven verses of Proverbs 15. Master communication and you manage conflict."

Harry says, I like to print this type of article when there is no conflict in our church. If there were conflict then some would feel that I was pointing a finger at them. Relax, and keep showing the Agape Love our church is known for.

I was helping in a church where the Senior Pastor was right on the verse of being sued for libel. His tactics were to be domineering, and this was causing great hurt and conflict.

A soft answer is a very disarming tool. On the job, in school, everywhere this works miracles in human relations. Anyone can be angry, but only a Godly nature will equip us to return hurt with a soft answer. Why not start developing this marvelous tool for human relationships--pause, count to ten, and return a soft answer.