This morning I found a journal that was given to me almost 17 years ago. In it were notes written from youth group members of my home church. The words were encouraging, hopeful (stay in touch!), and affirming, even 17 years later.
As I was reading their words, I was reminded of something: the most impactful leadership rarely happens outside of relationship.
Reading people who write (or blog) about leadership is imperative to leadership development, but the most impactful leadership happens in relationship.
I have a regular habit of watching a video on leadership development at the beginning of each work day, but my life is impacted more by personal relationships.
Our greatest leadership impact is to those whom we lead relationally. When we invest in those around us, our influence begins to grow exponentially. The mistakes we make, the victories we experience, and the joys we experience grow because of the one on one relationship.
But the relationship has to start somewhere.
How are you doing at developing relationships? Are you listening to people, or simply waiting for a chance to speak up? Do you care for those around you, or are they simply a means to an end?
The words I read this morning reminded me–those words came as a result of relationship. Not because of my “great” ability to lead, my wisdom, or my extreme good looks. The impact that was made blossomed out of relationship.
How are you investing in those around you? Is there something that needs to change? Is there something you’re doing that needs to be duplicated? Make a difference today, build a relationship.