I’m in a season right now. I don’t really like it. But, I’m learning some things about myself that I’m discovering need to change. Whether we are talking about leading our kids or our spouse or our team at work, we could use some reminders about leading well.
I heard Craig Groeschel once say, “I notice. You Matter.” It’s a motto we all should memorize and repeat several times a day. It means as we interact with those around us, we should let them know we notice their hard work…their time spent…their contribution to what is happening today. The second part is equally as important. Letting those around us know they matter in the storyline. What they are working on and how they are joining us in the day matters. We want to applaud both daily to the people in our life who support us, love on us, and work with us.
As leaders we must remember that no one wants to work with someone who already knows it all and seems to want perfection. Those around us have struggles and imperfections of their own so as a leader, we must be vulnerable and transparent, allowing our kids, spouses and co-workers to see our imperfections…that we don’t have it all together.
Now, we are not okay staying there. Our desire is to look more like Jesus everyday. But we also must recognize that we are not perfect and never will be. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know”. It’s also okay to say, “But we’ll find out together.” Collaborating with those around you is not a sign of weakness but really one of strength.
As a leader, we also need to be inspiring and empowering those around us to lead. Our goal should be to empower others to do everything we can let go of. That might be a goal of reducing your workload by 75% where you are doing the things that truly only you can do.
So, encourage, empower, inspire. Remember to say things like, “Thank you”, “I notice” and “You Matter.” I’m a weak man and forget these things often but the beauty of being a follower of Jesus is that when we are weak, He is strong. You can do this with his power. Blessings on the journey.