This week at debrief, I was given a break from leadership
and I am thankful for it. First, because leadership was a very heavy burden for
me that changed me into someone I didn’t always recognize and second, because I
know that someone else needs to learn about leadership and take away valuable
lessons like I did.
What have I learned from leadership?
1. Humility
Leadership is about position; not of the body, mind, or soul
over another, but the position of the
heart towards others. Considering
others and their needs above my own is true humility. As a leader, there is
always the option to put my own wants and needs above my team’s needs and wants.
Perhaps the true challenge is to not take advantage of the situation by using
the “leader” card as an excuse to trump all other desires.
2. Vulnerability
Just because I am a leader does not mean that I have
everything figured out. I have many struggles and weaknesses. The challenge
came for me in vocalizing those weaknesses to my team, as I was perfectly
content to work on my issues by myself. Little do I realize how I separate
myself from the team when I pretend that I have no issues and have my life
figured out. It’s pretty hard to follow and relate to a “perfect” leader. Jesus
has called me to a place of self-disclosure with those He has placed in my
life.
3. Strength
I have to know where to draw strength from and it doesn’t
come from me. It has to come from the Lord. When I try to lead out of my own
power or desire, I end up getting frustrated and taking it out on my team. I
have to lead out of my weakness so that God can empower me to lead with His
strength, His love, His hope, His plan.
4. Listening
I wasted so much time and heart energy arguing over what I wanted for my team instead of just listening to their hearts and being
content with meeting them where they were. I believed, at the time, by pushing
and voicing my expectations that my
team would jump onto my bandwagon. Looking back, if I could have listened to
both God and my team, I would have seen that God had them where He needed them
and it had NOTHING TO DO WITH ME.
Leadership was a good experience and I am thankful that the
Lord put me in that position for just the four months that was needed. I am
thankful for the lessons learned and hope to bring those lessons into my next
team and into every area of my life, not just those where I am leading.
