If you are in a leadership role, you inevitably have a team member who seems like your full-time project. You wonder if it’s worth keeping this person around. Their areas of weakness seem to loom larger and larger, to the point of pulling everyone else down. What do you do?

Peter Drucker is widely regarded as the father of modern business management. He addressed this issue when he wrote:

“The role of an organization is to maximize the strength of the individual and make the individual’s weakness irrelevant.”

That is a radical departure from how we would usually handle this issue. Leaders would normally prefer to cut their losses and let that person go. Drucker says there is a better way. Look at the strength of the person in question and see if there is a way to build upon it, rather than focus just on their weakness.

That may mean repositioning the person who seems to be slowing everyone down. Leadership expert John Maxwell says that is the best approach.

“A successful person finds the right place for himself. But a successful leader finds the right place for others.”

This process can even become a spiritual teaching time for the employee. The Bible discusses our weaknesses extensively and offers guidance on how to overcome them.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 NLT

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

And the Lord told Paul not to be concerned about his weakness.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

If you have a “problem” person on your team, the Lord may be giving you an excellent opportunity to strengthen them and the organization, as well as grow them spiritually.

God’s best,