The 12 Leadership Mistakes of Pilate in the Easter Story (Part 1) (Series)

As we head into the Easter Season, I want to turn our weekly Leadership Conversation to a powerful illustration from the Easter story in the Bible in the person of Pilate. Pilate played a key role (not in a good way) in the crucifixion of Jesus. His decisions (or lack thereof) not only had historical consequences for his time, but also for all of time. Pilate was a leader who had the chance to do the right thing over and over again and didn’t get it right any of the times.

For the next 3 weeks, we are going to look at the “12 Leadership Mistakes of Pilate” from the Easter Story. Regardless of your religious background or present affiliation, I hope in the days ahead, you will read one of the most famous stories of all, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are many Leadership Lessons that can be learned from every person involved in the historical account. The story is found in the book of John, chapters 18-19 in the Bible. For the sake of the leadership tribe of MattKellerOnline.com, we will be keying in on Pilate and his leadership mistakes in this series of articles.

May we become better, by learning from his mistakes.

At the end of each article in this series, there are a list of questions I hope you’ll use to spark discussion with your team.

The 12 Leadership Mistakes of Pilate in the Easter Story: (Part 1)

John 18:28-30 “Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”

Leadership Mistake #1: Pilate listened to Leadership Assumptions as Truth. John 18:30

When the Jewish leaders of the day brought Jesus to Pilate, his first leadership question to them is correct: “What’s the problem?” “What did he do wrong?” But unfortunately, Pilate put too much stock in “they” and “everybody.” He allowed a few voices to speak for the masses. This is a common mistake for many leaders. It is very easy, in the midst of a potentially hostile and volatile scenario, to think that “a few” represents “all.” Wise leaders aren’t easily swayed by a few voices attempting to pose as “all” or “everybody.” Wise leaders always ask a follow up question: “Who exactly are they?”

Leader, when you face a scenario where a few are attempting to speak for everybody and force your hand, make no apologies for asking for exact names. You will gain tremendous clarity on exactly how big of a problem you’re dealing with when you realize that “they” are not the same as “all.” Pilate attempts to dodge any dealings with Jesus but the crowd forces his hand, so he has Jesus brought into his house for a private conversation.

John 18:33-35 “Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

Leadership Mistake #2: Pilate was Unprepared and had not done his Homework on the Situation.

When given the opportunity to actually question Jesus for himself, Pilate had done no homework or research leading up to the exchange. This was his second mistake. Surely, Pilate knew of Jesus. Certainly, he had heard of some of the miracles he had done over the past 3 years. But, when he was suddenly thrown into the situation personally, he was unprepared.

As leaders, it is our job to prepare, research and do our homework for the situations that may arise on our watch. Ignorance is not a get-out-of-jail-free card that leaders are allowed to play. Instead, being a leader requires that we be prepared when opportunity presents itself. I will never forget when I was given an opportunity to meet with the mayor of our city for an hour. When the day finally arrived, I acquired my credentials in the lobby and headed up the elevator to his office. As we sat and talked, our conversation was great and my questions about his leadership journey and experiences were unlocking great insights. However, when I asked him what his vision for our city for the future was, he paused with a strange look on his face.

He looked me in the face and then said, “Well, seeing as I have been mayor for 9 years and my final term is up in 6 weeks, I suppose my vision for the city is pretty much complete.” I could see my credibility diminishing right before my eyes. I had failed to do the research to discover the fact that he was almost ready to leave office. What a huge mistake on my part because I failed to do my homework. Trust me, I only want to make that mistake once. Pilate made the same mistake and it cost him dearly.

John 18:36-37 “Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Leadership Mistake #3: Pilate didn’t ask for clarity.

When Jesus said he was a king, Pilate was too concerned with his own ego to ask for clarity on what that meant. Instead, he just went with it and proceeded onward. Had he actually engaged Jesus in conversation and asked for further detail on what exactly that meant, he could have avoided making further wrong decisions concerning Jesus’ fate.

As leaders, we have a responsibility to set our own ego aside and step into the potentially awkward moments when gaining clarity is required. If we are in a meeting and don’t understand something that’s being discussed or presented, it is our responsibility to stop the conversation and ask for clarity. When we don’t, we run the risk of traveling further down a road with a blindfold on. Many wrong decisions can be avoided by a leader having the courage to simply ask for clarity. Pilate didn’t do that, and it cost him.

John 18:38 “’What is truth?’” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.”

Leadership Mistake #4: Pilate got Sidetracked with the Philosophical.

Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” was ill-timed and inappropriate considering the circumstances he found himself in. In a moment like that, Pilate should have stayed focused on the main issue, instead he allowed himself to get sidetracked with the philosophical.

As leaders, it is incumbent upon us to make sure that we are aware of the magnitude of the events happening around us and not allow ourselves to get pulled off base on a tangent or rabbit trail. I have been in so many meetings that got derailed by a leader who wasn’t aware enough to recognize a rabbit trail and instead of calling the participants back to the most important topic, allowed the meeting to completely derail because of a rabbit trail.

Leaders must be strong enough to keep the main thing the main thing in a decision making meeting. When other, lessor issues are allowed to trump the main thing, everyone suffers including the most important thing, namely, the right decision. Pilate got sidetracked and failed to recognize the magnitude of the big decision he was going to be called upon to make.

Questions for Conversation with your Team this week:

1. When have you allowed “a few” to speak for “everyone?”

2. When have you failed to do your homework for a meeting and paid a price for it?

3. When have you allowed your ego to keep you from asking for clarity in a meeting?

4. When have you allowed a lessor issue to sidetrack and derail a meeting instead of staying focused on the main issue at hand?

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Next week we’ll look at 4 more Leadership Mistakes Pilate made in the Easter Story.