Leader, It’s All About You

As a leader, it’s not about you.

Or, maybe it is.

Not completely about you. The mission, vision, and organization are still about something much more than you, but so much of your effectiveness in leading your department or organization or even family is about you.

As a leader, we have to be extremely self-aware. Not self-aware so that we can get what we want and always be comfortable or have control, but self-aware so that we can be in a place that best fits our personality and makes us most effective.

No matter who we work for or what kind of organization we work in, it’s up to us to make sure we’re getting the most out of… us. To be sure we put ourselves in a spot to be best used.

Knowing yourself leads to doing your best. Knowing who God made you to be helps you best do what He’s called you to do.

Here are some things to be aware of about yourself so that you can be in a place to be most effective…

Your Rhythm

We all have a natural rhythm. That rhythm can be changed over time, but it’s still innate in us. When are you at your best? What times do you function best? When should you have conversations to get the most out of them? When should you have your time to yourself? It’s all about your rhythm.

In my experience, it’s best to lean into your rhythm rather than try to change it. Sure, life happens, but do what makes you most effective. Leverage that instead of hating it or fighting it.

Your Likes

I know this may be a shock, but we don’t work well when we’re miserable. There will ALWAYS be things we have to do that we don’t get excited about… that don’t churn our butter. That’s part of being a leader life. But, as leaders, there are some things that we dislike that someone else may enjoy and do much better. Be aware of the people around you. Get to know them. Share what you can. And do as much of what you “like” as possible.

Your Passions

This is different from your likes. When I talk about likes, I’m talking about those things that you like or dislike doing. Your passions are the things that fuel you. If you’re a pastor, is it worship? Counseling? Unchurched? Discipleship? What are the things that light the fire within you or stoke it? Work in those places. Spend your time there, as much as possible, and do it with all your heart. That’s the place to lead from. That’s the place others are gonna move to when you let your passion shine through. That’s the place that you are gonna always be able to work in to get your energy and fire stoked.

Your Context

A lot of people overlook the context of the organization when leading, but the truth is that the nuances of where you are matter. Not just the nuances within the organization, but also those in the city or towns surrounding it. For a non-profit, the context you’re in is gonna effect fundraising. For a business, the context is gonna change how you lead that business and where your focus is. Know your context as a leader. It’ll save you frustration later and wasted effort now.

What would you add to the list?

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[bctt tweet=”Knowing who God made you to be helps you best do what He’s called you to do.” username=”jonathanpearson”]

[bctt tweet=”Leader: know your context as a leader. It’ll save you frustration later and wasted effort now.” username=”jonathanpearson”]