[header size=”1″ type=”single”]LIFT DON’T LEVERAGE[/header]
A Secure Leader lifts their followers; they don’t leverage them. They motivate their followers; they don’t manipulate them. When leading people, we must remember we are leading to a greater cause, not to our success.
Whether we “succeed” or not is beside the point. The leadership point is to influence people to move from where they are to accomplish the goal of the more significant cause.
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Here’s my concern: that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.
1 Peter 5:2, 3 MSG
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When you use people for your gain, you will always manipulate them. Using people is not the goal. Teaching, training, and developing them is the goal. You have missed the point if you accomplish greatness in your organization but haven’t benefited your people in the process. The journey is far more important than the destination.
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The goal is to teach, train, and develop the people you are leading.
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Our job as leaders is to motivate and lift those who follow us. We are raising and encouraging them toward the organization’s cause and vision. Not to push, pull, and point but to lead, guide, and direct. When teaching, a good rule of thumb is to think like a shepherd and how he relates to his sheep. He legitimately loves and cares for them and leads them to the best place for them. This doesn’t mean we have to be less aggressive or passive; it represents our motives must benefit others and move us toward a greater purpose. Try it. I think it will work out well for you.
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4 WAYS TO LIFT AND MOTIVATE YOUR TEAM
1. Discover your real purpose. Why do you do what you do? If it is for your success, change your purpose so that your organization will win, your team will win, and you will win with them.
2. Treat your team like you want to be treated – This is the golden rule. As a leader, you exist to develop them and lift their lids in life. Allow them to better themselves, just as you want the opportunity to better yourself.
3. Take responsibility for your organization’s culture and attitude. Don’t allow a “dog eat dog” mentality. No wolves are permitted in this flock.
4. Lead, lead, lead. – Lead people and manage resources. People are not things. Don’t micro-manage them, and don’t control them. Lead them in the direction they should go as a shepherd leads his sheep.
