As a leader, I have an insatiable curiosity to learn. However, I’m not learning in a vacuum; my desire to learn exists because of a specific purpose. Learning is necessary, but learning must also be purposeful, driven by a passion given by God. My passion is the church of Jesus Christ in general and Elim Grace (where I am Associate Pastor) in particular. The gift is one of leadership.
As leaders, we each are called to cultivate, develop and care for “the garden” (our home, workplace, business, organization, ministry, church, etc) God has entrusted to us for His glory, our joy and the good of others.
One of the things that has stuck with me — a habit that has developed and taken root — is to lead with/from a perspective I encapsulate in the word LEAD (easy for me to remember).
L = look over
This is oversight, looking over what God and man have entrusted to me. It’s my responsibility to be aware of, and familiar with, what and whom I’m leading. I am constantly looking over, reviewing, assessing, adjusting course, etc., bringing not only the big picture but the small details into view. If leaders don’t know what’s happening, probably nothing is happening!
This also means I am first and foremost looking over myself, examining and searching my own heart and motives. It means I am keeping the vision before me.
E = encourage (praise/affirm)
I try to make it a weekly habit (sometimes daily) to encourage someone and affirm them for something they’ve done. This is hard because it forces me to PAY ATTENTION and to take notice of people’s contributions, both big and small. This compels me to learn and to remember their names and faces.
But this becomes easier the more you do it, simply because of the positive impact it has on people, including your relationship with them and theirs with others. There have been countless times when I’ll be doing something completely unrelated to a person or their task, yet their face appears to my mind. I’ve learned, sometimes WAY AFTER the fact, that God is bringing them to my attention for a reason. Without fail, that reason has always been to bring them some measure of encouragement, affirmation and appreciation that they needed, unbeknownst to me.
A = act (initiate)
Whether it’s a big decision that will impact everyone or a small one that no one will notice, taking action and having initiative are critical to forward momentum and long-term growth and health. As J.R.R. Tolkien said, “Little by little, one travels far.”
One leadership principle I’m learning and am trying to incorporate into my thinking is one I heard from Andy Stanley: “Better before bigger”. It’s being attentive to the improvements and adjustments that we sometimes feel are insignificant, alongside the minor decisions and changes we make, that in time greatly help clarify the vision, strengthen the commitment, increase the energy and extend the impact.
D = develop (train)
This brings us back to learning and to teaching. While we must be continuously learning ourselves (receiving), we also must be teaching others (giving). Investing in the equipping and development of those you lead should be an exciting aspect of leadership!
Whether it’s a link to an article, a book to study together, a face-to-face conversation, a blog post, formal training or any number of ways, if we do not serve others by taking the time to develop their skills and their gifts, they won’t grow, we won’t grow, and the “the garden” won’t grow. By resourcing them (sacrificing and giving), empowering them (releasing and trusting) and holding them accountable (correcting and affirming), growth, health and fruit are inevitable.
QUESTIONS: Do you maintain oversight as a leader? How? Do you encourage others? How often? In what small ways are you making things better? Are you developing your gifts and the gifts of others? How?
Recent Comments