One of the smartest things you can do in leadership is to find people, heroes, and role models that are ahead of where you want to be and emulate them. But as we take notes on who we are or who we want to be, we must do the same with who we’re not.
Here are 10 things to consider not allowing within your leadership:
1. WE’RE NOT BIG TIME
It is often so easy to get caught up in things like positions, titles, etc. Leadership is not about us and it never will be.
The grass isn’t greener on the other side - the “big time” is where you’re at. The biggest platform I get the honor to step onto is ZOE’s.
WE ARE leaders that have a pure, humble, and simple devotion to Jesus.
2. WE’RE NOT INTO OURSELVES, WE ARE INTO OTHERS
Leaders are people-obsessed. A leader's words about others reveals whether or not they are about people or about themselves.
Everyone’s favorite topic to talk about is themselves. People could go on and on about their life and what they are going through. However, a leader can’t lead others if they only talk about themselves.
WE ARE leaders who ask questions about others, want to learn about people, and want to hear about how they’re doing.
3. WE’RE NOT LOOKING FOR THE EASY WAY OUT
A minimum effort will always produce medium results.
I’m not saying you can’t work smart. I love things like Postmates that make my life easier. I have nothing against convenience; there is no sense in making things harder than they need to be.
WE ARE leaders who do everything for Jesus and give our best.
4. WE’RE NOT TAKING OURSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY
My dad used to always say, “Everybody is laughing at you - join them.”
I take my calling from God seriously. I take the church seriously. I take my family seriously. But I also live within the tension of seriousness and fun. I take things seriously in an appropriate measure and live with levity and joy.
WE ARE living with an appropriate measure of taking our call seriously while not taking ourselves too seriously.
5. WE’RE NOT TRYING TO BE ANYONE ELSE
We all have people who inspire us. We all have people we want to be like. But we’re working to be OURSELVES.
Don’t be a copy! Be the contrast. Be you!
WE ARE secure and confident in who we are!
6. WE’RE NOT TRYING TO BE DISCOVERED
In the church, you don’t need to try to be discovered. So many times we see people trying so hard to make a name for themselves and get the attention of others. This isn’t what leadership is about!
Narcissistic leaders drain the value out of an organization because they make everything about them and their agenda and not about the team and the organization.
WE ARE only concerned with building His kingdom!
7. WE’RE NOT BAD AT GETTING BACK TO PEOPLE
Not getting back to people (something as simple as not replying to a text) could open up a wound of abandonment. We don’t always know people’s situations. Not replying to a text may cut deeper than we think.
If you’re bad at getting back to people, you create a narrative of mistrust about you.
If you have offended someone by not replying, don’t make excuses. It’s important to just simply just apologize.
WE ARE good at getting back to people.
8. WE’RE NOT MASTERS OF MANIPULATION
There’s a difference between encouraging people towards something and the act of manipulation: motive.
We ought to always be checking our motives and intentions - are we encouraging people towards reaching their full potential or to do something that we want them to do?
WE ARE leaders that have pure hearts and have people’s best interests in mind!
9. WE’RE NOT USERS OF PEOPLE...OR LEADERS THAT LEVERAGE
We value people, we don’t use them.
We have to be careful. We can often use people to accomplish a vision or goal and not care about them in the process. Sometimes we can completely neglect to lead them, build them up, invest in them, etc.
WE ARE leaders that add value to people, we don’t use them!
10. WE’RE NOT LIVING IN DYSFUNCTION
The classic saying goes: “What you are willing to tolerate, you are willing to live with.” We have to be careful and diligent as to what we are okay to live with.
We need to have a desire to grow. We want accountability. These types of measures are how we have a strong life and strong leadership.
WE ARE striving to live a healthy life.