I want to have significance in my life not just success. So the past few years I have been doing a lot of introspective thinking. Looking at areas I am strong, as well as being open and honest about areas that I am weak and need to improve.
In this desire to take the lid off my leadership and make the most of the one life I have been given; I've discovered three areas where I have often dropped the ball throughout the years. My guess is, these are areas you struggle with as well.
So I hope you will continue reading and maybe we can grow together.
1 - EGO
If we are honest with ourselves we know that we do not have all the answers. We know deep down that we are more successful when we get get input from and work together with other people. We know that winning is a team effort. But in order for this to happen we have to check out ego at that door. And that is not an easy thing to do.
Here are some questions to ask yourself, to see if ego is a lid to your leadership.
Do those around share their thoughts freely with you?
Do the best ideas in your organization come from other people?
When you give an idea, does the conversation quickly turn to running with your idea?
2 - CONTROL
Jack Welch once said, "A leader's role is not to control people or stay on top of things, but rather to guide, energize, and excite".
This is hard to do when micromanaging or refusing to give authority to others so they can run. When we release those around us to run their race, it frees us up to forge ahead and lead into new areas.
3 - TRUST
People who say that it is easy to trust have not lead for very long. In leadership, people will drop the ball, they will backstab you, and maybe even leave you hanging high and dry. Because of this many leaders put up a wall around their heart and their to do list. Making the wall higher and higher and their personal to do list longer and longer.
This is not good for you or your organization. Your heart will be empty because you are alone and your passion will run dry because you are worn out.
Too many times through the years I would see someone who is gifted in some way and quickly put high expectations on them; thinking they would be able to partner with me and do what needed to be done. More often than not, I would be disappointed and they would be hurt in some way, because they did not live up to my expectations.
What I should have done (and am currently doing) is let people come into my organization (church) get established, get plugged in, and let their faithfulness in small things determine the expectations I place on them and the opportunities I give to them. This allows them to grow at their own pace and me to build trust along the way.
Ego. Control. Trust.
These are areas I am trying to improve in. I hope you are as well.