We have a special guest post on the blog today and it’s from a previous podcast guest, Lyle Tard. Read the article below where Lyle, shares with us how we can rebuild ourselves as servant leaders.
We’ve all heard the statement, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” We say this because the belief is that no one will do what needs to be done the way we will do it. There are a few reasons for that, but the top two are passion and vision. No one has the vision for your organization that you have, and few people are as passionate about your vision and business as you are. So many of us are on a search for the people/team that will align with our vision and passion, but very few of us find it.
Jesus had this same issue. Many see him as the greatest leader to live, yet even he struggled with getting his vision and passion across to the people he had around him. Many times, Jesus had to backtrack, re-explain notions and concepts, re-introduce ideas and perspectives, lead from the front and the back, and sometimes, Jesus flat out had to do the work himself. Many times, Jesus showed a measure of frustration that we as leaders have when he said, “how long must I be with you” or “how many times must I explain this to you?”
In these instances, it seems like it would be easier to overhaul everything, get rid of those leaders, and do it all yourself until someone comes along that “gets it.” Today, I want to encourage you to do something that is seldom spoken about that Jesus often did. Jesus never gave up. In Matthew 26:69-75 and Luke 22:54-62, the Bible gives an account of when Peter denies Jesus. Peter, taking all that Jesus had done with him and for him, denies Jesus as if none of it ever happened. Some of us leaders feel the same way Jesus may have felt. All the work we have put in with those who work with us, it feels awful to have the people we’ve poured into dismissing what we’ve done in them and for them.
It’s so difficult to focus on building a team and laying a foundation if we have the mentality that we ought to just do it ourselves. It is even tougher to develop relationships and performance if our mindset is to discard our people when they let us down. Servant Leader, don’t give up on your people. Jesus knew that Peter would deny him. But Jesus’ attitude was not “I told you so,” nor was it “you’re fired,” instead it was “let me restore you.” In this, Jesus modeled to Peter what real leadership looks like. And this restoration is the catalyst that made Peter one of the pioneers of the message of Jesus Christ that is still growing to this day.
We all desire for our business/organization to grow, and here are a few ideas as a Servant Leader that we can utilize to help others grow, just as Jesus empowered Peter to support his vision/passion grow.
1. Be quick to forgive
As a leader of a business or organization, when we forgive, we do more than just forgive the person to restore the relationship, we forgive the potential in the person to restore the purpose of the person. Jesus forgave Peter by giving him the direction to “feed his sheep.”(John 21:17) In doing so, Jesus forgave Peter, restored their relationship and gave Peter hope that the potential in his purpose was still alive and still worth pursuing. Forgiveness must come without shame, but with and heart of sending them into something significant.
2. Remember the why
We cannot see the future as Jesus can, but we do have foresight as servant leaders. When we hired that person, what was our vision for them as it pertains to our vision? What got us excited about them becoming part of our organization? When it seems like those around us are not in line with us, remember why we agreed to have them with us in the first place.
3. Speak light into dark places
There may be other reasons that are not easily seen that our people aren’t performing in the ways we are hoping. At one point, Peter had issues going on at home, and Jesus’ choice was to go back to Peter’s house to help. Our people cannot be focused on our mission if their personal mission has gone dark. Be willing to find those dark places in the lives of those we serve and help shine the light of healing or comfort.
4. Be a trailblazer
As we stated before, there just isn’t going to be anyone that will feel the way you feel about your work. Knowing this, Jesus blazed a trail for his people to walk on, so they could continue the job after he left. As a leader, let’s ensure we are creating the paths that allow others to be successful and generate the confidence that will enable them to expand the path.
5. Plan for failure
We know the people we lead aren’t going to get it right. We didn’t get it right. Jesus knew his disciples wouldn’t get it right. None of us have to be God to know that. Since we already know we will mess up, let’s plan a contingency. Make a personal creed of the things that will destroy trust in relationship in your business and decide if it doesn’t cross those lines; then things can be restored. Then, make this pre-decision public. It will set a guideline for all to follow and give confidence to others that mistakes are allowed, providing the opportunity to be successful.
Guest Bio
Lyle Tard is the Founder and CEO of IMPACT Servant Leadership, started in 2018. He is currently in his 18th year as a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force.
During his Air Force career, his accomplishments are honors such as Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter and Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award – Non-Commissioned Officer Tier. He has guided the career of more than
10,000 Airman from civilian to military life, leading them in cutting edge training of their newly developed skills.
As a communicator, Lyle has spoken worldwide inside and out of the military community. He has motivated young adults at institutions such as Harvard Business School, Atlanta Leadership College and American University. Lyle takes pride in leading the next generation of world changers. From universities to businesses to churches, Lyle’s passion is to influence the world to realize that “Leaders lead best when they serve.”
Lyle is also the primary moderator of the Service is Power podcast, spreading the message that “The Power to Serve, Serves us All.”
Along with his wife of 14 years, Sherrell and his two children, Alycea and Ethan, Lyle has served as the Youth Pastor at Gulf Coast City Church in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Missions Director at National Community Church, Washington D.C. and Lead Elder of Lighthouse International Ministries in Brunssum, Netherlands.
You may learn more about Lyle and what he stands for at Impact Servant Leadership
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