FLAT SPOTS

by Alan Nelson

 An optimist saw a flat tire on his car and responded, “It’s only flat on one side.”

The other day, I caught wind of some contention among our staff.  Snide comments were being made and little snippets were taking place in conversations that concerned me.  As I pondered what I should do, I realized that most of these tension points revolved around weaknesses --- what I call “flat spots”.  Everyone has two or three flat spots in their work or ministry lives.  These are the areas where we’re not strong, or where our strengths become weaknesses.  After we’ve worked on teams for a while, we become intimately aware of each other’s flat spots.  For one person it’s the need to control; for another it’s poor management; still another it’s inadequate motivation; and another it’s poor attention to detail.  When we come in contact with another person’s flat spot, it often becomes irritating.  When we linger a bit too long on that area, we become frustrated with that person, feeling as if he brings the group down or that she doesn’t belong on the team. 

So we talked about our team spirit.  We went around the circle and acknowledged at least one known flat spot in ourselves.  Then we discussed the need to focus on the round sides of each other and dispense grace to the flat spots.  Pride makes us think that our flat spot isn’t as frustrating as other people’s, but that’s a matter of perspective.  Since “all God’s children gots flat spots,” we need to love one another, flat spot and all.  Peter Drucker said that the purpose of organizations is to maximize our strengths and render our weaknesses harmless.  An optimistic team member appreciates the strengths and respects others in spite of their flat spots.