It’s Your Time…Walk Into YOUR Season!
To each and every day, there is a season; a season to grow, a season to learn, and a season to change. Right now, we’re in a season of change. When I hear change, I get excited about the endless possibilities. When most others hear “change” they think more along the lines of “what’s in it for me?” or “here we go again”. We are in a very unique position as leaders to provide a pathway for our people to also gain added excitement about the “endless possibilities they may have to shape the change.”
Let’s face it, most people want to feel accepted and appreciated for their contributions. What are you doing to help them feel this way? Oh, it’s not your job to make someone feel valued and appreciated…really? The one thing I’ve learned on this short journey of “effective” leadership is the only way to effectively lead is with people. I mean if you are climbing a mountain to reach the top and arrive alone, were you leading anyone or just taking a hike? In order to lead, someone or some group of people must be “enthusiastically following you!” The way you treat others matters. Lead Change tweeted the following Friday night: “Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.” I second that.
As I completed Chapter 7: Good Leadership is Serving Others and Chapter 8: Building Long-Term Relationships I found a common theme of TRUTH in both. For without truth and trust you have an organization built on very shaky ground, and the profits of today may not be the profits of tomorrow. Is it more important to be RIGHT or be HAPPY? I’ve asked this question in many different circles, usually finding the same reply; “Why can’t you be RIGHT and HAPPY at the same time?”
While I’m not a big proponent of “Group Think”; my answer to their question is best stated this way, “If by your being right causes another to feel devalued or unappreciated who did that really help?” You see by allowing someone the opportunity to make a mistake you gain a since of trust with that person, they feel heard and appreciated for adding to or offering another way of thinking. However, when you force your “right” comments, word choices, or facts you have essentially damaged the trust. Let’s face it, people make mistakes, they misquote or mispronounce a word. If you take the time to listen fully, you are building a relationship based on trust and not a competition of “rights”. You also might find the mistake has little bearing on the overall conversation, you actually might find had you listened just a little longer you might have heard the real reason behind the entire conversation. Leadership takes time, patience and above all it takes you getting to know yourself and all of your limitations, abilities and fears in order to have the capacity to lift others. What I continue to witness are supposed leaders caught in the 6 o’clock knowledge trap, otherwise known as “YOUR EGO”.
Drop your ego and step into your season of change! How badly do you a great leader? David Steward reminds us in Chapter 8 about the importance of building long term relationships. Those relationships are built on TRUST. Please remember, people are always watching. You can’t be a great leader and treat family, friends and colleagues poorly. People are watching you when you expect them to and even when you don’t. I often find it almost hilarious that people think when they are off the job or away from the church they can say and do anything they want to, it’s almost like they think they are invisible. As a leader, the heart you wear to motivate and guide those around you must be the same heart you use to guide and develop all other aspects of your life.
Stop right now and commit to your season of change. Take time to really listen and get to know those around you. A conversation of today may prove to be a blessing for tomorrow. Check the Elements of Greatness, then you’ll know why this journey is so very important for us all to take.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5kn4OBRxro
I’ll see you next week!
