There’s a lot of pressure put on leaders. Some of it is market-driven, some of it is people-induced, and parts of it is self-inflicted. Most leaders I’ve advised, been friends with and/or been mentored by all communicated, at some time or another, a genuine heartfelt responsibility to the customers, employees and families they lead. Some more than others, but there’s an inate part of someone who’s called to leadership that is wired to celebrate the success of others, and that hurts when others who they lead hurt.
As leaders, the behavior we model, the words we share, the unforgiveness we carry, the grace and mercy we extend…it all trickles down throughout our organization(s) and falls on the people we serve who believe in our vision, who signed up to be part of the team because, more than a paycheck, they really believe at some level that they are supposed to be here, supposed to contribute, supposed to share in our success and equipped in some way to help repair, heal and turn our failures and blind spots around. What an honor, really, and what a responsibility to lead people like that.
So, here’s a challenge. Reach out to three people you lead today, three who work hard, faithfully serve and who consistently help you achieve your vision and rarely complain, rarely gossip, the ones who always seem to rise to the challenge with little external motivation. We all have them, you know them. They get you, they understand you, they support you and they proactively solve problems for you. Pick the three who you haven’t reached out to in a while other than for task-accomplishing reasons. Send them a voice mail, a live call, an email, and just thank them for their heart to serve, their work ethic, and who they are, if it’s genuine. Remind them, despite the craziness of the economy, the workload, and all the other things going on, how much they mean to you, if it’s authentic. Not to encourage them to work harder, or faster, or smarter, or more profitably…just because you committed to their success, and you really believe in them, who they are.
Today, recommit to helping them become everything they’re called to become. Why? Because as a leader, that’s your assignment while you have stewardship over their talents and time. That’s your calling, Period.
So, are you a common leader or an uncommon one? What I shared reads good, writes well, and most of you no doubt, as leaders, will say “huh, that’s a good idea.” But uncommon leaders lead themselves well. Uncommon leaders understand the power of a moment. Uncommon leaders know that inner voice prompting them to take action, despite fear of rejection, in the face of adversity, at the risk of “what will they think”. The weekend will come and go, it’ll have its ups and downs. But today will also be marked by an uncommon leader, reaching out to do an uncommon thing, to let 3 people he leads know, see, and hear his heart for them…or not. Your call.
