Who Is The Focus Of Your Leadership Journey?

As we near the end of this year and the start of a new one, I think it is very appropriate to take some time to look in the mirror and consider our own leadership journey. Ask yourself the following questions – Is my leadership about me? Does my leadership come from a humble or proud heart? Am I really THAT good at leading or am I leading from a heart focused on God’s will?

Year End Planning

Each year, I schedule time out of my normal schedule to “take inventory” of my leadership effectiveness and my overall life in general. I review the past year, assessing the victories and disappointments. I do my best to view each from an unbiased perspective before determining what needs to change in the following year.

As I near the time of this scheduled review and planning time, I am usually more sensitive to material that could help me frame both my past year and the future I am planning. Recently, I have been reading a book that is helping me to do just that.

What Makes A Leader Great

The book is What Makes A Leader Great, by Russ Crosson. In one particular section of this book, Crosson talks about a significant turning point in his career. He was in a position of leadership that appeared to have him headed toward the CEO position in the not-too-distant future. Then he was demoted.

Though at the time it was the worst possible development, he now looks back at that time of his career as the best thing that could have happened to him. He compares this turning point to the experience of Moses in Exodus.

Parallel With Moses

Moses was the adopted son of the Egyptian Pharaoh and raised in the palace. He later came to recognize his true identity as one of the Hebrews that were then enslaved by the Egyptians. In a heroic effort to defend and “save” his people, he murdered an Egyptian taskmaster. As a result, he had to flee for his life to the wilderness.

Moses went from being a prince in Pharaoh’s palace to being a shepherd. It was 40 years later when God determined that Moses was in fact ready for the leadership position he is know for today. What all Moses learned during that 40 years, we are not sure. What IS clear is that Moses was humbled. He submitted to God at the burning bush and then went on to lead his people from slavery.

Crosson compares this story of Moses to his own leadership journey. At the time he was demoted, his leadership mindset was all about himself. He characterized himself as proud and focused inwardly. Years later, after deciding to stay with the company and learn all he could from his new, lower position, he was asked to take over as CEO.

Leadership Journey For What Purpose?

What about you? As you look back over the past year(s) of your own leadership journey, what do you see as the driving theme behind it? Has your main desire been for growth and advancement? For what purpose? If you could have been granted one wish in each of those years, relating to your leadership, what would it have been?

If you answer to that last question is rooted in things of this world, then I urge you to begin rethinking your approach. I encourage you (and myself) to spend some time thinking about your motives for your leadership. Reflect on Moses’ desires first, when he killed the Egyptian, and later when he knelt at the burning bush. How do they compare?

Lead From Humility

I am convinced that we are to lead from a position of humility. We are to acknowledge that God has an eternal plan and is including us in that plan. The purpose of that plan is not for our comfort or advancement, but for the advancement of His story, and ultimately, His love.

If we are leading from a heart that is connected to His plan, then we may experience comfort and advancement. We may not. Either way, God is faithful to use us (according to His will) to accomplish His plan. We must be content with this idea. When we are, I believe we will see results we cannot even imagine!

What is the focus of your leadership journey?

Are you developing others to follow behind you?

What fruit have you seen from this effort?

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