Ready for Leadership?
Many times I hire someone hoping they can eventually make it to a leadership role. I see the potential to lead and the budding management chops, but I want to make sure they can take those gifts and put them into action.
You see, not everyone who CAN lead WILL lead. Why? Because it takes a special kind of person to empower others. It also takes a remarkable person to admit fault, take responsibility, and plow present failures into future successes.
This is precisely what Jesus was looking for in his 12 apostles. Jesus invested time and energy in developing these twelve singular and extraordinary people. Only when he felt they could properly manage the information and the responsibility did he empower them to go out into the world and lead others.
I’ve heard it said that “The teacher who offers empowerment too early sets up followers for failure. On the other hand, the leader who fails to empower capable people creates frustration.” As an example, Peter was not ready for leadership before the crucifixion. He failed to use the empowerment given to him by Jesus. It required a monumental and life-changing failure in Peter’s life before he matured into his leadership role. However, once Peter began to appropriate what Jesus had imparted to him, he became a powerful and effective leader.
I’ve done it both ways. I’ve thrown unknowns into leadership roles and watched them flounder and make costly mistakes. I’ve also hired unknowns, taught them how to lead by example, given them projects, and then empowered them to take on leadership roles. The latter is the more preferred method.
I am now so blessed to have hired a group of wonderful leaders. I pray each day that they continue to feel empowered and accomplished in their professional niches and personal lives. I want them to do more and be better than I am, and I’m looking forward to seeing the results!
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VERY TRULY I TELL YOU, WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME WILL DO THE WORKS I HAVE BEEN DOING, AND THEY WILL DO EVEN GREATER THINGS THAN THESE, BECAUSE I AM GOING TO THE FATHER.
