Leadership Principles: Know Who Really is in Control

David and Marilynn Chadwick

Mar 31, 2023

2 min read

We are wrapping up our time of learning different leadership principles that I learned while playing under Coach Dean Smith. He was such a man of character, integrity, wisdom, and strength. The final principle I want to share with you is this: know who really is in control. After Coach Smith was hung in effigy the second time, he wondered about his future. Would he be fired? Would he ever see a successful coaching career? After experiencing many questions, he arrived at a profound moment. He learned how little he really controlled. All he could do was do his best and control the moment. At that moment, he gave everything to God, the One who does control everything. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” There is a confident assurance that comes in recognizing we do not control the universe. Strength comes as we let God be God. I used to tell all of my kids as they were growing up, “Do your best and give God the rest.” Leaders, how are you doing with remembering who is really in control? Are you walking in faith in tough situations? Are you leading well through the processes you must oversee, but giving God the outcomes? Are you expressing faith or fear? In leadership, you will always face a wide array of situations and emotions. Everything from joy to despair, successes to failures, acceptance to pushback, hope to discouragement. Learn to develop leadership principles that will help those around you thrive. Continue to trust the Lord with all that you lead. Don’t lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). After all, God is the one who is in control of it all anyway. Trust him that he will deal with it in his way and time. He will. Our Leadership Principles blog series is inspired by David's book "It's How You Play the Game: The 12 Leadership Principles of Dean Smith." If you would like to receive this book, please go here.