Visionary Leadership: Could Vs Should

by Rev. Chrysantha Tillekeratne
(Veliveriya,Sri Lanka)

Have you ever thought about the difference between the two ideas “Could be” and “Should be”? Many leaders only see what could be. They say things like “if our church stepped up witnessing, we could be the biggest church in the neighborhood”.

We spend too much time talking about what could be. Our church could be bigger. Our income could be more. Our members could be better givers…and the list goes on. How much of energy is wasted on “What could be”

Now there is a word that "Should" be in the leader’s vocabulary. When one has a vision for something, there is no could. There is only should.Could presents an Idea. Should casts a vision. Where could presents an opinion, should shows a way.

Should does not say "If" or "If only". Should says, "Let's do it. Let's find a way. Whatever it takes." Could sits on the sidelines and complains about what could be while should carries the ball through obstacles and hurdles that most people would never consider approaching.

Should is passionate. Should is on fire. Should makes comfortable people uneasy. Should messes with the status quo. Should is Vision.

There is a significant difference between the outcome of Could and Should. When you begin to focus on Should, Could gets lost. Could cannot operate in the same realm as Should. When Should is in operation, Could grows silent. Should is not what could be. Should is what must be!

Also, remember that you may be tempted to do 101 things in the New Year. Make sure to give priority to the things you should do. After all “good” is the enemy of “best”