J.R. Briggs
Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep
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What’s on your to-don’t list?
For the past few weeks, I’ve been asking friends and respected leaders in various fields, industries, sectors and ministries this question: “What are you not doing that makes you effective as a leader?”
It seems that so much attention and focus has been given the past several years to what a leader does that makes them effective, but little has been done to explore what a leader refuses to do. There are so many good things out there to pursue, so many that they can actually distract us from our goal. If leaders aren’t disciplined enough to have a laser-like focus on exactly what they are called to do, it can lead to incredible ineffectiveness. Distraction is one of the worst enemies of a leader.
As Jim Collins wrote in his significant Good to Great, “Good is the enemy of great.” Another way of putting it, leaders must learn to “say no to the good things so you can say yes to the best things.”
Here are some of the fascinating and wise answers I received back from leaders when I asked the question:
- I’m not doing everything that people ask me to do – and I’m not feeling guilty about it
- Checking my phone or social media when I have “margin moments” in life.
- I’m not worrying as much about disappointing people, and I don’t forget that, at my core, I’m a craftsman
- I’m not trying to convince people to like me. I’m not working harder than my clients
- I am not micro-managing. People need to know that you trust them and that you have placed the ministry in their hands. They need to feel the full weight of the responsibility.
- I try to focus on results, and not whether people do things exactly as I would
- I do not seek to exert unilateral control through problem solving and telling people what they need to do
- Anything that others can do better than I can
- not trying to be who I am not
- I am not chasing every lead and opportunity, doing too much too fast, or doing everything myself
- blogging
- I’m not spending all my time trying to fix weak areas/groups/ministries. I’m not pouring my best time, prayer, effort, and wisdom into areas of ministry that want, or better - need to die.
- I’m not being everyone’s primary pastor, as good as it feels to be needed
- not micromanaging. I believe I need to trust my people and unleash them to use the gifts and skills God has given them
- Not trying to do too much; giving myself time and space to recharge, reflect
Leaders: what would you add? What is on your to-don’t list?
Mark Steinacher said...
1Using a four-quadrant diagram, I prioritize what needs to be done. That is, two columns (“Urgent” and “Not Urgent”) and two rows (“Important” and “Not Important”).
“A” tasks are both important and urgent. Focus on these, filling in with “B” tasks along the way.
“B” tasks are important, but not urgent. As time moves along, any “B” tasks not completed will eventually become “A” tasks.
“C” tasks are urgent, but not important. Don’t let someone else’s emergency become yours! If you have time, help out, of course, but DON’T allow these to detract from “A” and “B” tasks.
“D” tasks are neither urgent nor important. AVOID THESE LIKE THE PLAGUE!!! Even if they are “fun”, they can end up being the things that cripple your ministry.
01/25/12 5:24 PM | Comment Link