Weekly Thought – September 10, 2024
Fred wanted his tombstone to read “He Stretched Others.” (And it does!) Strong leaders always developed others. They understood that personal and organizational growth always depended on the healthy stretching of others.
Leading Deep
While leaders at the top are evident and visible, leadership must be exerted all through an organization. That is why Jethro told son in law Moses to divide the responsibilities and authority required to manage over one million people. Moses wisely accepted and implemented the counsel instituting an effective delegation system which is still used in management today.
In any well-run organization, multiple layers of leadership must exist. There must be top management and a strong level of developing men and women. An organization cannot thrive ( or even survive) without bench strength. Moses gives us another example as he asked others to hold up his arms as he prayed for the people. He was not strong enough to sustain the physical strain. Anyone who tries to accomplish as a solo act will eventually fail.
Leadership is more than personality; it is character. To know that accomplishment requires synergy and teamwork is a sign of wisdom and ego control. One key of vision is understanding the effect of achieving minor goals in order to accomplish the major aim. To get distracted on the way to achieving the preliminary steps threatens the entire project. Having capable associates shows not only leadership acumen, but strong character. Keeping the focus on the main thing requires a team.
When one leads as part of an effective team it gives opportunity to share accomplishment. How satisfying it is to say to everyone, “Well done – we worked hard and got it done. We did it together.” Working in an environment like that is greatly preferred to one in which the “boss” wants all the credit. When the limelight only has room for one, the organization is in trouble. It can’t be all about just one.
One of the toughest bandmasters I ever knew was an Army vet named William Fenton. I can still hear him hollering at a quivering trumpet player “You can’t play like that and play in this band. This is a championship band!” Fenton didn’t emphasize his reputation, his ego, or even his personal displeasure. He emphasized the student’s contribution to the organization and the part he played in the quality of the organization. They worked for the group. His character, discipline, and produced champions. And when they won (which they did often) he celebrated with them.
This week think about: 1) How effective am I in developing others, including career, family, and community? 2) What does stretching others mean to me? 3) Who should I thank for developing my leadership skills?
Words of Wisdom: “Having capable associates shows not only leadership acumen, but strong character.”
Wisdom from the Word: “But you choose from the people capable men, God-fearing men -men of truth, those who hate bribes and put them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” (Exodus 18:21 NET Bible Jethro to Moses)