When Followers Get Lost & Leaders Get A Heavy Foot

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A few weeks ago my in laws were in town visiting for a while. When they were about to leave, they asked if they could follow me to the interstate so they could get home.

I hate having someone follow me.

I always feel like I have to drive slower and be sure I leave plenty of time for both of us to get through red lights and pull out at stop signs. They don’t know exactly where they’re going, so I always feel like I have to take the straightest route… Not the fastest.

I think we have to do the same no matter what we’re leading.

We are the leader, we know where we are going.
The people following us don’t know exactly how to get there.

We have to be sure that were slow enough for them to keep up, but fast enough that they don’t get frustrated because they’re not getting there fast enough.

The problem that many leaders face is not having a laser focus on the goal.

They get sidetracked and leave the people following them in a panic.
Even though it may not feel as if we are off track to us, it can easily feel that way to those following.

We have to be sure we are going the right place and then have a laser focus on the goal.
We have to communicate, live, and walk the way we’re going.

No matter what you’re leading (a church, a family, a staff, employees, a family, a bake sale :) ) be sure you clearly point to the destination.

Don’t get a heavy foot!


Comments

7 responses to “When Followers Get Lost & Leaders Get A Heavy Foot”

  1. The old saying applies here: he who thinks he leads, and has no one following, is only taking a walk. Good thoughts today Jonathan.

    1. haha… a very true old saying. Thanks Bill.

  2. That is such an important truth! Sometimes church leaders (especially) want to jump into a new project, ministry, direction and expect that the people following them have had the same conversations, are wrestling with the same issues and are on the same page.

    Most times, they aren’t.

    A good leader helps them get to that place.

    1. very true, jason.

  3. I love this analogy! Never heard of leadership being exemplified like this before.

    I hate having people follow me in the car as well.

  4. Mark Dever tells about a guy he was in seminary with. This guy would not join the local church, just slipping in to catch the sermon. When asked why he didn’t join and participate in the local church, he answered, “The people may slow me down.” Dever answered, “That may be true, but did you ever think that you may help speed them up?”

    1. Haha. Good point!

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