Thanks Abby Strausbaugh, for sharing this wonderful article by Ann Voskamp. It is beautifully written and presented. Say yes to hard things and holy things. It is the only way to unwrap all that The Father designed you to be.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/01/dear-you-who-doesnt-want-to-do-that-hard-thing/
I realized the past couple of weeks that as a leader my natural inclination has been to help the people I work with be okay or feel okay. I am waking up to the fact that in doing so I often avoid dealing with what is not okay. Dealing with what is not okay is hard. It takes intentionality, focus, and ongoing follow through. It takes being diligent at facilitating conversations between people who are angry with each other but who must work collaboratively together. It takes dealing with gossip immediately. It takes dealing with problems instead of passively accepting them.
Bring a leader who deals with what is not okay as opposed to trying to make everyone feel okay means I am committing myself to leaning into the deepest parts my organization. It means acknowledging the source of problems, working through issues, executing viable solutions, and being diligent at ongoing maintenance of corrective actions.
I am praying that God will give me the wisdom, strength, courage, and persistence to be faithful in this pursuit.
One of the concepts from my graduate studies in leadership that has made a difference in how I see things is Margaret Wheatley’s application of the laws of thermodynamics to organizations. Closed organizations that do not take in new information die. Organizations that stay open and adapt to new information live.
Interestingly, Michael Simmons reports that working in an open network happens to be the greatest predictor of career success.
http://www.businessinsider.com/top-predictor-of-career-success-2015
I have always considered myself a multitasker. Lately though, I have had a growing awareness of how this keeps me from being the supportive leader the people in my organization need me to be. In fact, one of the most important things I can offer all of the people in my life is my undivided attention. Turning away from the computer, setting down my tablet or phone, or putting down my notes to look at and really listen to the person who has asked for my attention is essential to a caring and supportive relationship. By focusing my attention I am sending the signal that the person who has asked me a question matters, what they care about is important to me, and that even though I am busy I have time for them. I can think of few more powerful messages a leader could send.
Granted, there are times I do not feel I have a spare moment to listen. If that is the case I try to schedule a time I can listen rather than trying to act like I care while emailing or texting someone else. I want the people in my life to know that they matter.
As leaders, we are always communicating by our actions. Try sending the message that the people in your organization matter enough to set aside the distractions, look them in the eye, and really listen.