accountability
What People Get Wrong About Leadership
Early on I thought leadership was simply being in charge of a group of individuals. Tell people what to do and they’ll do it because you are in...
Everyone wants to be the leader until they actually have to lead. When you are in charge it means making tough decisions and overcoming obstacles. You aren’t always liked and that can be exhausting.
Whether you chose to be a leader or the responsibility fell in your lap you need to know how to endure. To overcome the challenges, hardships, obstacles and heartbreak that come with leading you will need to:
REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT IN CONTROL
A leader that tries to control everything will quickly lose control. If you want to lead others you need to remain adaptable, and patient. You also have to know who is in control.
A great leader knows that God has a plan bigger and better than anything he or she can imagine. When you embrace that fact, then you’ll be able to handle anything that comes your way. Trust that God has you in mind and you won’t have to worry about what the world throws at you.
GUARD YOURSELF AGAINST THE BUSYNESS
The problem with busyness is that it can lead to avoidable errors and mistakes. A great leader knows the best way to combat busyness is by scheduling in MARGIN and REST. To make sure it’s a priority:
- Put it into your schedule.
- Designate close friends or family to hold you accountable.
- Spend time reviewing what’s on your plate.
- Communicate clearly and consistently when you are available and when you are not.
A healthy leader has the time to rest so that he or she can take on the grind that ministry brings.
REFUSE TO BE LONELY
It should never be lonely at the top. In fact, a wise leader is someone who surrounds themselves with even wiser people. Make sure you have people who can:
- Speak into your personal and family life.
- Give you wisdom on strategic and big picture decisions.
- Serve you and give you the margin you need to focus on the big picture.
When you surround yourself with the right people you give yourself the accountability to focus on what’s right and most important.
GET OUT OF THE WAY
Every leader has an expiration date and when that day comes you need to make sure someone is ready to take your place. To be ready for that season make sure you are:
- Investing in those around you.
- Giving opportunities for your team to lead.
- Open to other ideas.
If you allow others to lead it doesn’t mean you’ve failed, it means that you have cultivated a culture where new leaders emerge. After all, it isn’t always about you.
PRIORITIZE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Once you’ve stopped learning it means it’s time to stop leading. A leader knows that he or she always has room to grow and is constantly looking for those resources and opportunities.
It’s important that you allocate some of your time and budget to personal development. Go on a retreat, head to a conference and observe other leaders.
Seek wisdom and challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone. Not only will you learn how to be a better leader, but others will be attracted to following you. They’ll see you as humble and a resource to teaching them something new.
OFFER A BIGGER PICTURE
Leaders might not always have a plan, but they will constantly have a vision. As a leader, you need to make sure people know the WHY behind what you do. Simon Sinek, author, and motivational speaker lays out this principle perfectly in his TED Talk: How Great Leaders Inspire Action.
People are looking to be a part of something bigger. They are constantly searching for purpose. A leader who can offer a big picture will build an engaged audience willing to do what it takes to make that vision happen.
[reminder] How are you enduring the challenges that sometimes comes with leadership? [/reminder]