Weekly Thought – December 17, 2024
Fred thoroughly enjoyed watching talented people maximize their gifts. He urged everyone to discover and develop their “uniqueness.” He especially appreciated those who could take an idea, mobilize others around it, and see it realized.
Vision Gathering
Leaders coagulate followers around the vision, not themselves. This is where we see integrity. Drawing followers to the person and not the vision is embezzlement. Using personal magnetism as a means of getting things done is, to me, manipulation. Genuine leadership gathers people around the purpose of the organization. Toward that end leaders must recognize:
1) Distinction between decisions and commitments. The first is short-term, the second is long term. Decisions can be for a limited project while commitments are aimed at the ultimate purpose. Both are necessary. People committed only to the long-term vision and not to specific tasks will not accomplish much. For an organization to thrive, the leader’s job is to produce the activity which then moves forward the overall vision. The leader must move people from decision to commitment.
Wise leaders know that when they get a decision, even a group decision, they have not gotten commitment. One of the worst mistakes a leader can make is getting a group to decide something they will not commit to. In the emotional moment of decision you can assume they are committed, but if not, things will fall apart.
2) The “driving wheels.” There’s a difference between people who provide the momentum in an organization and those who ride. Wise leaders know that if they get the driving wheels committed, they will bring the others along. Without the commitment of the driving wheels, the organization moves with an unsteady rhythm.
The best way to persuade the driving wheels if not with emotion, but with comprehension. My close friend, Jack Turpin (founder and president of Hallmark Electronics) gave a speech on sustained excellence. He has no lasting respect for short-term excellence. “Anybody who can reach excellence should try to sustain it,” he said. He knows how hard that is. He went on to say the only way people will perform excellently over the long term is if they fully comprehend what they are doing. A decisions based on emotional fervor won’t last; a fully comprehended commitment will.
Leaders must be honest about the vision, the effort necessary, and the reasons for the commitment.
This week carefully consider: 1) Am I clear about the importance of both decisions and commitment? 2) What important commitments have I made? 3) How am I doing sustaining excellence?
Words of Wisdom: “Leaders must be honest about the vision, the effort necessary, and the reasons for the commitment.”
Wisdom from the Word: “O Lord, teach me how you want me to live. Then I will obey your commands. Make me wholeheartedly committed to you.” (Psalm 86:11 NET Bible)