Dealing with Doubt

It’s hard to remain optimistic when times are tough. Faith in one’s ability as a leader is tested regularly during these uncertain and challenging days. Perhaps your own employees are wondering if they can still trust the sincerity of your words and motives. The dark cloud of doubt may now be a persistent presence. Could there be any positive lessons in a time of questioning and skepticism?

Most of us have probably heard the phrase “doubting Thomas” used to describe persons who habitually or instinctively doubt or question things. It originated with one of the original disciples of Jesus whose doubts about the resurrection of his mentor and friend are recorded in the gospels. Thomas is confronted by his own unbelief and eventually acknowledges the miracle when he meets Jesus face-to-face. His life is forever changed and he goes on to become a prominent missionary to India and eventually a martyr for his faith.

For modern day leaders, self-doubt is a worrisome reality. As this recession drags on and unemployment remains high it is easy to lose faith in a recovery or to lack confidence in the ability of our government to lead us back to prosperity. What we thought we knew about handling adversity has probably been thoroughly tested, perhaps even disproved. Our dreams and plans may now be on hold as we search for some signs of life in the marketplace. Doubt has a way of killing our spirit, numbing our senses, and driving us toward despair.

Yet doubts and fears are the very tools we need to strengthen our faith – faith in ourselves and in others. Rather than judging yourself as a weak and ineffective leader, use times of doubt to tell those you trust about your personal struggles. Invite them to share this time of uncertainty with you. Don’t pretend you have all the answers but instead confess that you will need their help. Thomas honestly stated his reservations and it strengthened his faith in the end.

We each carry within us a mixture of doubt and faith, questions and clarity, pessimism and promise. It is this tension that allows us to “see and believe” when the time it right.