_Chapter 3: Watch Out for Discontentment_ _Adapted from the book "Leading Difficult People" by Dag Heward-Mills_ Working with unhappy people can be tough. They might complain a lot and not be satisfied with what's happening. This can lead to poor results or even sabotage because they're not motivated. Discontentment often starts when people compare themselves to others. The Bible warns about this in 2 Corinthians 10:12. Everyone is different, so we shouldn't treat them the same. *3 Ways of Dealing with Discontentment* 1. *Pay Good Salaries* When leading people, whether in a work or church environment, it's essential to reward them fairly. Paying good salaries is crucial. Don't be stingy; instead, be generous when recognizing and rewarding hard work. Jesus didn't just promise his disciples a future reward; He also provided for them in the present. As leaders, we should do the same for our team members, ensuring they see the value of their work now. Refer to Mark 10:28 for insight into the rewards of following leadership. 2. *Teach About Contentment* Leaders should teach their teams about the importance of contentment. According to 1 Timothy 6:6, "godliness with contentment is great gain." By teaching people to be content with what they have, we can eliminate comparisons that often lead to discontentment. For further reading on contentment, consider 1 Timothy 6:8 and Hebrews 13:5. 3. *Recognize Incurable Discontent and Dismiss the Affected* Some individuals will never be satisfied, no matter what you do, because they have a deep-seated discontent within them. In any organization, it's vital to recognize these individuals and take appropriate action. Sometimes, this means dismissing them to protect the vision and well-being of the team. A leader must prioritize the health of the organization and remove anyone who is detrimental to its success. Moses faced a similar challenge, nearly losing his vision for leading the Israelites to Canaan due to discontentment among his followers. It's crucial to identify and address such discontent, even in a church setting, to ensure the vision can move forward unimpeded.