As Promised...

First, let me say that I am indebted to the book Next Generation Leader, written by Andy Stanley, for the background of the thoughts in this post. He brings to light principles that have challenged my concept of leadership, and the following thoughts are a product of that challenge.

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Have you ever been at work and your boss came to your cubicle/work station/desk and said, "You know, you're just doing too much. We should figure out how to scale back your responsibilities"? I didn't think so. In my observation, many leaders of organizations seem to focus their energy on getting more things done rather than how to do things more efficiently. What if leaders and those under them began to ask different questions, began to capitalize on the strengths of their employees? Wouldn't that make a difference in the organization? Wouldn't that allow them to do more and to do it with excellence in the long run?

I've been learning that, as a result of our fast-paced culture and the current concept of leadership, many young leaders feel they must be good at everything and do everything themselves. In some jobs, this is required of them; but a job that allows a leader to thrive is one in which she can focus on the two or three things she does best, and only do those things. It follows that while those leading the organization focus on their strengths, those under them are given the opportunity to rise to the occasion, develop their own strengths, and earn a greater degree of leadership by showing proficiency in an area (which just happens to be the same area in which the leader of the organization is weak).

This system not only relieves the stress of the leader/leadership team, allowing them to pursue what they are gifted in, it also develops the other leaders in the organization and allows them significant contribution to the team.

The concept that "Less is More" - well, it really works! So next time your boss asks you to scale back a little (I know he does that all the time...), you can have your spiel ready - your two or three areas in which you feel you can contribute the most to your company. I take no responsibility for any consequences of that conversation with your boss, good or bad. : )

Just some thoughts...