A Leader Lies In You
I have had the privileged of finding myself in different roles in life. But the one I shied away from the most was leadership roles. I felt content as the creative director and to let others take the lead while I remain at the background.
I was under the wrong impression that I do not have the qualities of a good leader. I am not outspoken, nor friendly, I am too serious, and different excuses that I sold myself. Added to the fact that I am usually the shortest and youngest in whatever circle I found myself.
I have had lots and lots of ideas… The ‘wonderful’ solution I came up with, was to give them out to people. Those I felt possessed the qualities required to lead right. But I realized if it’s not your vision, you can only go so far. Which is what happened to most of my ideas. They were completely messed up or abandoned halfway through.
There have been series of these instances. At a point I concluded I was going to keep quiet, no proffering solution or ideas anymore. the problem was with others as far as I am concerned. I still didn’t know what the problem was until I came across John Maxwell’s The 360° Leader. (whenever I come across any book on leadership, I do not bother reading it. cos to my thinking, I am not a leader, neither do I have plans to be one.
This book has been sitting pretty in my library for a while. Then I felt maybe a cursory glance to see what it says.
I recently brought in some ideas to my parish for the children church and the duty of handling that area fell on me. As usual, I tried shirking responsibility but no one was willing to take it. I have been taking charge and I handle the teenagers class on Sunday.
While talking with God about it, I said: “Father you know I am too serious and I tend to over explain things. I will be boring to this children. What do I know to tell them?” And inside me I heard: “I know, that’s why I chose you.”
That was the period I felt I should glance through the book. which I see as God’s reply to the running and excuses.
The book basically says it is not only those at the top who are leaders. rather we can lead from every where we find ourselves. According to him, you learn to lead up, lead across, and lead down… In other words we can learn leadership no matter the trait and position.
If you want to be great at whatever… Learn it. There is a reason the idea came to you in the first place.
Hiding behind won’t do anymore… Go do it yourself, just the way I have started. We are not there yet but we are growing in the children church. I have also picked some of my ideas back and dusted them off.
God’s grace is sufficient… If He says I am best for the jobs and willing to risk it with me, then I will have to do my best right?
What do you do with your ideas?
What roles are you running from?
Whose role are you forcing yourself into?
How do you become a leader from behind or the middle?
How have you handled leadership roles?
What did you learn?
XOXO
Previous Post
Next Post
