Helping Expand Your Leadership Influence
Have you ever intended to have a conversation, but just couldn’t find the right time? What if the “right time” is actually the wrong time to look for?
In today’s flashback, I talk about the difference between the “right time” and the “necessary time”. And it’s a principle I return to all the time.
Take the time today to click over and read the post “Don’t Hide from Hard Conversations.” I think it will be encouraging and challenging.
Sometimes when I write, I formulate ideas as I go. Okay, maybe a lot of the time.
That’s why last Thursday’s post (Cast the Vision, Not the Path) has been replaying in my mind. Do I truly think for leadership, it’s beneficial to set the destination and let someone else reach it?
Let me rephrase the concept for today’s post: Think trails, not highways.
Growing up, I spent countless days and hours on my dad’s farm. We lived in town, so every time we went to the farm we started the same way: out of the drive way, turn right on the highway that led to the barn. That path only changed when our destination was different.
Once we got on the farm, however, there was no pavement. There were no highways. There were dirt paths worn down over the years.
But even those dirt paths had variations. Pot holes in pavement are simply mud puddles on a dirt road. So guess what? You drive around mud puddles, creating a new path.
Only once or twice during my life working on the farm did we drastically change the paths to get to our destination, but we had that freedom. We knew where we were going, so how we got there was simply a matter of efficiency.
When we think trails not highways in leadership, we understand the destination plays the key role. As leaders, we have to set a clear vision as to what we want, then allow those we lead to choose the path, to some extent. And that can be scary.
Time and time again in my life, I have experienced the fear and anxiety of entrusting someone with a task, sometimes regretting the decision as they are beating out their own path, and then to realize at the end, the result was what I hoped.
Not everyone sees the same trail as me. And that’s okay.
But we have to cast a clear and compelling destination. If we leave room for ambiguity on the destination, those we lead run the risk of getting lost in the weeds.
So, what vision are you needing to cast? What destination do you need to set out for those around you? Are you willing to think trails not highways?
So much of leadership is about casting vision. Looking at what is and painting a picture of what could be.
So much of developing student leaders is helping them catch the vision so they can cast it down the road.
Some students will naturally respond to opportunities, almost instinctively seeing the possibilities before them and pursuing them. Others, however, face a bigger hill to climb.
So, how do you handle a student wrestling with the goal? Continue to cast the vision.
In my current ministry, I see a few things that need addressing and am trying to raise student leaders who see the need and meet the need. But my goal is to cast the vision, not the path.
If I spell out every step a student should take, I’m not teaching them to lead. I’m teaching them to take the steps I’m telling them to take. That would be akin to the parent in the stands of a game shouting every action their kid should make. If the voice stops, the child does too, thus missing the point.
Sure, I can tell a student every step to take to reach the vision, and I may set out a few stepping stones, but if a student leader never has to think or wrestle, then am I raising a student leader or a robot?
The beauty of developing leaders is that everyone takes a different approach. Why would I want someone to execute things the way I would do it, when I might could learn something from their way?
As you work with student leaders, or even adult leaders, work to develop them. Empower them to look for and meet needs. Train them to make an impact. The process may be messy, but the end result is worth it.
I think I’m a bit of a unicorn. Why? Because my cheesy pickup line effectiveness is 100%. In other words, the woman to whom I’m married, fell in love with my clever charm and wit from the beginning.
Okay, maybe not. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m 1 for 1.
Rejection hurts. I may not have experienced rejection as part of my only serious romantic relationship, but I’ve been told no many times.
One summer, as I was preparing for camp, I asked ten different women to go as a sponsor, and every single one said no. We were in desperate need, and I felt helpless.
Again, let me say, rejection hurts. Rejection demeans and beats down. Rejection makes us doubt our purpose and mission.
And if you’re like me, the fear of rejection paralyzes you.
I will put off asking a question because I’m afraid the answer will be no, when in reality the longer I wait the more likely the answer will be no. Can you say self-fulfilling prophecy?
One of the things I’m learning currently, yet still struggling to put into practice, is that people are willing to help. It’s just a matter of finding the right person to help.
Sometimes a no is exactly the right answer.
That’s why, as leaders, we have to get comfortable with the answer no. I would rather have an honest “no” than a fake or resentful “yes”. Because when I find that “yes”, they’re going to go above and beyond.
When we learn to push past the fear of rejection and continually work the three questions, our leadership will continue to grow.
How about you? How are you at asking for help or involvement? Are you willing to face rejection for the sake of growth? Is anything holding you back?
One concept I’ve written about captures my mind almost more than all the others, and it’s today’s flashback.
The Horizon of Possibility is something I love thinking about, and something I use constantly. This week, in fact, the concept has been used in at least two conversations, and I love it!
Before I dive too deep, click here and check it out!
