Are You Using These Two Keys To Leadership Well?
Responsibility. I’m into it. It’s the basis of leadership. When there’s a random problem in an unstructured situation someone says, ‘This is what we’ll do’. That’s the leader gene. They took up responsibility to do something. There can be no authority without someone assuming responsibility. Thirty five years ago, Richard Branson charted a plane from Puerto Rico to the British Virgin Islands after his flight was cancelled. He offered seats to the other stranded passengers for thirty nine dollars each and sold them all. And so began Virgin Airlines.
Efficiency. I’m into that too. Getting the most done in the shortest amount of time. Doing three things at once. When I go upstairs I look for whatever can go up with me. When we’re emptying the dishwasher I try to pick up all the plates so it’s one movement to the plate drawer. It’s like a private little competition with myself. I think I could add the cups, if I could just get my little finger to carry that last one. But then, arrggghhh. Crash. One slips out of my grip, trying to catch it I let another go, then another. Now I’ve got glass and broken crockery all over the floor, taking thirty minutes longer to clean up. So much for efficiency.
When we aren’t being responsible with our level of efficiency, we will inevitably pick up more than we can carry, emotionally, mentally and physically. The disaster only happened because I tried to carry more than I could. Everything suffered because of one thing. One thing I didn’t need to do. I could’ve taken more time, been less stressed, carried less and been more ‘efficient’.
I see leaders all the time doing things they don’t need to. Their sense of responsibility mixed with some guilt, obligation and the imagined expectation of others drives them to burnout. Do you really need to be in that meeting? You’ll be amazed how much they can do without you. Don’t be nervous. Be secure. Do you really need to visit that person? Couldn’t someone else do just as good a job? While you’re doing those things there are other things that only you can do. These things and people are getting half the attention they need to thrive. Only you can confront that person. Only you can make that big building decision. Only you can meet with the bank. Only you can send the message the whole staff need to hear. Only you can mentor those potential successors.
Freedom is the power to say ‘No’. Create boundaries for yourself before you see the opportunity to pick up one more thing. Say ‘No’ to something today. Say ‘Yes’ to one of those things only you can do.
Being an effective, and responsible leader are foundational to growing in leadership in the kingdom of God. Leadership 101, You The Leader and Keys to Leadership Excellence are three of my books specifically written for your leadership development. They includes thinking in the area of leadership that is revolutionary in today’s contemporary church, that have been key over my 40 years in leadership. You can purchase these books in our online store here.
