First, make the hard decision.
For most of us, there are things we know that we should do, or maybe we've been putting off making a hard decision.
"Good leaders tend to lean into pain in a way that makes them a better leader."
The book The Four-Hour Work Week makes me nod my head one minute and shake my head the next, but author Tim Ferris is right in this statement: "I believe that success can be measured in the number of uncomfortable conversations you’re willing to have."
For a lot of people, the inability to make a painful decision causes a cascading effect. Maybe you don't make the right decision so something else isn't getting done well. Maybe there's an opportunity cost. Maybe we will lose integrity as those around us watch and say, "Well, you're just not making the hard calls."
Your inability to make hard decisions or have hard conversations impacts the ability of others to see you as a leader; in addition, not making them can also drag YOU down. There's a freedom in being on the other side of a hard decision.
Second, stop doing some things.
It's easy today to spend too much time doing things that don't have the maximum impact. This ‘maximum impact’ looks different to different people—only you will know what that looks like for you as a leader. Sometimes this means less ‘bigness’ and more one-on-one time with people. We do well to remember that Jesus concentrated on 12 disciples in his ministry, not the masses.
"Sometimes this means less ‘bigness’ and more one-on-one time with people."
A "stop doing list" has become popular today. It's a good idea. We have to stop doing some things so we can have the freedom to do something else. Every "yes" to one thing means a "no" to something else.
We all want to say “yes” to everything that comes our way. We want to meet with everyone who asks and respond quickly and kindly to all who email or call. But it’s simply not possible. My carte blanche yes is ineffective and harmful to what God has called me to do. I think that’s true for all of us.
“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you've got to focus on. But that's not what it means at all," Steve Jobs said. "Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.”
I understand saying no is hard, particularly in Christian ministry. But a wise no could be the best decision you make. It frees you from unnecessary stress and allows you to thrive where you can best serve.
Third, invest in younger leaders.
If you make the hard decision you didn't make and stop doing some things, you can then have the time to invest in younger leaders.
I work with some remarkable young leaders. I want to invest in them and develop them so that they can be the leaders that God has called them to be. This requires me to strategically step into mentoring and investing in the leaders under my care.
I want to plant trees I don't sit under.
Fourth, decide to last.
This is legacy. It’s having the long view in mind. I had a friend who challenged me on this, asking, "How are you deciding to last as a leader? How is Ed Stetzer going to be here in 10 or 20 years?"
"How are you deciding to last as a leader?"
That's one reason I've renewed my commitment to health in 2020. This is a good time to commit to (1) taking care of yourself so that you can be a more effective leader and (2) do the things that will live on for years to come.
Finally, be a better learner.
Keep learning—and re-learning.
Commit to reading books, watching videos, and listening to voices that will help you be a more effective leader, friend, and servant in this world. All of us must acknowledge that what we know is only a drop in the bucket of all the knowledge in the world. No matter if you are 25 or 85, there is still much to know.
Whether we lead a few or a many, may we lead well for Jesus' sake.
Ed Stetzer is executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, serves as a dean at Wheaton College, and publishes church leadership resources through Mission Group.
No comments:
Post a Comment