The Danger of Emotional Leadership

 “And Pilate again said to them, ‘Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?’  And they cried out again, ‘Crucify him.” - Mark 15:12-13

Pilate released one prisoner annually during the Passover to gain favor with the Jews.  He offered the Jewish crowd that had gathered Barabbas, a thief and murderer.  But the chief priests had salted the crowd with anger against Jesus.  In mob violence, it’s always a few who start the anger.  Then it spreads.  Soon, everyone is yelling the same thing.  Everyone feels the same anger.
The people respond to Pilate’s offer of Barabbas by shouting out again, “Crucify him.”  They want Roman execution for Jesus purportedly breaking Jewish law.  It’s strange reasoning.  It could be that Pilate had never faced anything like it.

In my opinion, Pilate shows a very poor aspect of leadership.  Strong, forceful, good leadership doesn’t ask the crowd for its opinion in decision-making.  It doesn’t try to get the followers to make a tough decision.  They don’t have all the facts.  They don’t have all the information.  Often, as is seen here, they are ruled by mob emotion which isn’t rational.

Strong leaders often have to make difficult decisions that are right when the crowd doesn’t agree.  Strong leaders are the ones who have most all the information.  They understand the outcome of the decision.  Their desire is to do what’s right, no matter what the cost, even if the decision is unpopular.
All leaders can learn a valuable lesson from Pilate.  Leaders must make decisions, based on the information they have.  They can seek input from followers.  But, ultimately, they must do what is the right thing to do, not necessarily the popular thing.  The leader may not win any popularity contests.  But deep in his or her heart, they know they made the right decision.That’s why strong leadership is often costly and lonely.

So what is the big deal? What is the Danger of Emotional Leadership?

Emotions affect the decision making process. If you lack this insight you can easily be manipulated, make less than wise decisions, and you will be limited in your ability to influence others. This goes for  when your leading in the Home, at Work, or in Ministry. Don't allow yourself to be persuaded by popular opinion. “Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; / He directs it to whatever ends he chooses” (Prov. 21:1). The key to godly leadership is submission, for leadership under God’s control will accomplish God’s work. The kings of Israel are an instructive example of this principle. Those kings who submitted to God and followed His ways experienced success while those who went their own way or followed the crowds opinion met disaster. A good leader must also be a good follower. But a Follower of the Lords Leading