Weekly Thought – September 3, 2024
Fred appreciated strong leaders. He understood the high cost and what it took to lead well. Many came to him as a sounding board knowing they could trust him, his skills, and his unquestionable integrity.
An Eye on the Destination
A leader should never try to lead without first being captivated by a vision. Paul never lost the vision of his divine appointment to be an apostle to the gentiles.
Intensity must always have focus, of course. If you are intense about the wrong things people will lose respect, think you are neurotic, and certainly cease to follow. In Christian work too many buy into the romantic notion of “Never attempt anything that isn’t too big for you, so you can be sure God has to do it.” I am convinced it is much better to tackle those things He gives that are at hand and doable.
Seldom does an unknown person win an Olympic goal medal. Seldom does a no-name catapult into a place of leadership. In fact, scripture warns against putting novices into leadership positions. Taking the inexperienced and thrusting them into big dreams and visions without seasoning often ends up unhappily. Leaders are grown- they accrete. That word is one of my favorites because it carries the sense of gradually adding layers to create increase. For me, that is an appropriate visual. Leadership requires experience and emotional control. It demands the ability to persuade, and the ability to solve problems. These skills take time.
After being named an officer at Principal Financial Group our daughter left a high level meeting impressed with the SVP’s handling of a problem. She went to his office and thanked him for this effective illustration. “I have seen that same problem in multiple variations for 20 years. After awhile you identity the core problem and know how to attack it. It just takes time and experience.”
The vision we pursue must be worthy. It must make the effort seem like a good investment. Those asked to do the work must say, “What I am doing is worth the cost.” A strong visionary sees beyond the odds. They must be able to see how they can change the odds. If not, failure is on the horizon.
Goals may not be reached in one lifetime. Sometimes we leaders have to realize we are laying foundations. We can’t get dissatisfied with the slow work. It requires a certain patience. In effective leadership our ego must be subservient to the vision.
This week carefully consider: 1) What is my core vision right now? 2) How do my visions for work, family, community work together?3) Who models leading through healthy visioning for me?
Words of Wisdom: “A leader must never attempt to lead without being captivated by a vision.”
Wisdom from the Word: “Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23 NET Bible)