Now that you've made a start on your year, I want to share with you a fanstastic article out of Harvard Business Review.
They've interviewed Shilaan Alzahawi from Stanford University around why incompetent people end up in positions of power (as opposed to all of us normal people who, when given power, often feel totally incompetent!)
To have a read of the article, click here.
The interview goes through some of the myths around leadership, the interview process, and a couple of tips to help select better leaders.
Amongst what I found interesting is their belief that ambitious leaders would be more competent - but that of course isn't true. From a Christian perspective, where humility is a mark of a leader who follows Jesus, ambition isn't - or shouldn't be - what we look for. Throughout scripture, we often say that God selects nobodies and turns them into somebodies.The reality is, however, that none of them are a nobody. They just think they are a nobody. And some of them actually are highly skilled. Think Moses - former prince of Egypt, well trained, considers himself a no-one, yet actually is a someone.
Of course, you, too, are a somebody. You are someone who God has gifted - and has asked (called) to serve others.
You may or may not have ambition to lead - but that doesn't stop you from being a leader.
Golden Grove Lutheran School Principal Will Wallace offered this comment in response to the article:
A highly profound quote “There may be many people who would be perfectly capable leaders but lack (or are developing) confidence or just don’t recognise themselves in the leaders they see around them…given the chance, those individuals may flourish.” There’s also a lot to be said for humility and a service philosophy to balance against ambition.
My question for you is - who do you see around you who has the capacity to serve through leadership? These people may not want a title - they may be horrified at the simple idea of having a title. But as we know, titles don't make leaders. We lead first - we make a difference first - regardless of titles.
So who around you could you empower, could you ask to step up, could you invest in - so that they can make a difference? Who is the quiet influencer, the kind-hearted background leader, that could take that next step?
Don't discount those who aren't ambitious. And perhaps be wary of those who are.
After all, it is because Christ humbled himself that he was given the name above every name. (Phil 2)
God bless you today,
Chris.
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