How to Lead Passionate People During an Election

We’re in the midst of a pandemic, recession, wildfires, hurricanes, civil rights movement, and divisiveness the likes of which most of us have never known. This election season is like none other. And with it passionate differing opinions from the people we love, work with, and worship with.

Here’s a little background about me that you probably don’t know: In the past 2 decades, I have worked for a non-profit of one political persuasion, a political party of a different persuasion, a church with people of various political persuasions, and a church where if you were a “real Christian” there was only one choice for a political party.

I was even asked to run for office by one party at one point in my life. And my take then, is still my take now, as a Christian leader my calling is to be able to disciple, and work with, people of all political persuasions. Why? Because Jesus did.

You might be saying "I agree Alicia, but the people I lead don’t necessarily agree and they think I need to say more, say less, and everything in between." Oh, I know, I hear them too.

Jesus Modeled the Way

When I look at who Jesus’ initial disciples were, I find people who were fishermen, who were from affluent families, who were related, who held prejudices, one who was hated in all of Israel, another who was a political activist, one who was pessimistic, one who was a betrayer, some who were intensely passionate, and others who were rather ordinary. Jesus brought this incredibly diverse group of people together to be His closest friends, to do life together, and to learn the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven so that utlimately all of them could carry on His work after His death. Please sit with that for a minute.

So, as a Christian, if my calling too is to continue in Jesus’ footsteps bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, the people around me should also reflect the diversity of heaven: my friends, co-workers, congregants, neighbors, and social media connections. And my interactions with people who think differently than me, who have different life experiences than me, and who see problems solved in different ways than me, these interactions should also demonstrate the love I have for them.

Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is telling of what He knew would be one of the greatest challenges of all for His followers: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

So, what do I do as a Christian leader to foster unity in a most divisive time, when I have my own political views and am as passionate about them as the next person? I try to model for those around me what it means to be a follower of Jesus who is committed to unity (not uniformity) and loving my neighbors as I love myself.

4 Ways to Foster Unity within a Diverse Group of Opinions During an Election

Here are 4 ways I work to foster unity within a group of diverse opinions:

1. Share your expectations. As the leader, we are cultural managers of our environments, groups, teams, and organizations. This means that we cultivate, foster, and encourage the culture and values of the spaces in which we lead. Depending on your context, it might be appropriate at every gathering of people to set the expectations of what respectful interactions with each other look like. What are your expectations of how people will treat each other? Do they know that?
2. Create safe spaces. One of the best ways to create unity within groups of diverse opinions is to create safe spaces where people can be their authentic self, though not at the expense of others. We do this every day by how we talk, what we say, how we listen, and how we act. I remember when a leader intentionally created a safe space for me to talk when others in the room didn’t care to and how supported and safe that made me feel (even though others in the room were oblivious to the ways they created unsafe spaces for people).
3. Treat everyone with respect. The way that cultures of respect are created, is for leaders to treat everyone, regardless of their political persuasion (or gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation) with respect. One simple way to do this intentionally is by publicly checking in with everyone. When you do this one simple gesture, you are telling everyone listening that you see and value everyone present. Another simple way is to immediately address people when you see them (or hear about them) being disrespectful to others or even yourself. When you don’t, you are enabling a disrespectful culture to emerge. And if/when you feel attacked by people, by all means please employ the under-used phrase "when you do/say this...it makes me feel..."
4. Forgive quickly. When people passionately talk about the current state of affairs in the United States, it can be very easy to become offended by what is said, especially if it is something that we have a passionate opinion about. This goes for everyone around you as well. Model what it looks like to forgive quickly and respectfully. I love what my friend Pastor Laurel Bunker shared in this Facebook live video about different ways to have Christ-led conversations, especially with people whom we do not agree with.

How to do this well consistently

Is this easy? No. But if you are a leader at the moment, then for such a time as this are you in a position of leadership. And I believe that the Holy Spirit will give you the wisdom and guidance to lead well by modeling the way of sharing your expectations, creating safe spaces, treating everyone with respect, and forgiving quickly.

To be leaders who consistently lead well, especially in difficult times, it is incredibly beneficial to have someone or a group of people that you can be honest with and get feedback from. In just the past few days, both my husband and I have sought each other’s advice about something we both have felt strongly about saying to others. I might have pouted for a minute about his response, but I’m so thankful I didn’t go through with what I wanted to. At the end of the day, it wouldn’t have reflected the safe person that I genuinely want to be for people of all political persuasions.

I’d love to know how this is going for you. Share in the comments below what you have found to work well when creating unity within a diverse group.