Mowing again.  See I am employed – just not in the manner I expected to be and the pay is pretty minimal. But – as I have been encouraged to do – I am attempting to enjoy every day of this gift of time.

I have been one of a few people mowing the church property for years. While mowing, I have had the chance to pray over that property more times than I can enumerate.  I have also had many a “conversation” with the folks or situations that are frustrating me the most while I sit on that tractor!  Recently, I am taking a page out of my kids books and I have been using my phone to listen to music.  Today, my friends, from the soundtrack of the Jersey Boys, and I conquered the weeds and dirt.  You know you have made it big in your town, when the middle schoolers are walking home from school and dancing with you as you mow!

My “mowing conversation” today was one I have had over and over and over again – and I continue to come up empty handed.  Where have all the leaders gone?  Don’t misunderstand me, I know there are people in leadership positions in society, but so many of them are not leaders. Ask yourself this: when was the last time you were asked to join the current project with your expertise and time? When was the last time you felt that those in leadership recognized your strengths and weaknesses- and not only recognized them, but worked to use your strengths and challenge your weaknesses? When was it that you felt that you were a part of a team with a shared vision? When was it that you felt valued?  Please tell me that this is a regular occurrence in your place of employment!  Oh it isn’t?  It wasn’t in mine either.

Leaders are not people who exert power over you.  They are not people that you should be afraid of or hide from when you see them coming – you know, the look busy here he/she comes.  They are not folks you should only “report” to, and they certainly are not people who should allow you to think less of yourself for who you are.  I am not sure what these “people”should be called – but definitely not a leader.

A leader should be a person who has confidence in their ability to see the value of each person on the team. They should be able to prioritize the “work” and have the ability to either match your abilities to the job or offer enough training for you to be able to learn how to do the job effectively. A leader is never about themselves – they are about the team.  The team and its members has to be the most important piece to the leader in the workplace.  Forget fostering your team and the tasks will falter.  A leader will always have followers – not groupies -workers who are willing to put it all on the line because they know the leader would not set them up to fail.

Today -it is all about the bottom line – the almighty dollar – and that can often get in the way for a leader, especially if the person in the leadership position is a power broker.  But let me assure you of this – if you care for your team, the bottom line will be there, because you have invested in your most valuable commodity – your people.

Look for ways to know your team, look for ways to build your team, look for ways to thank your team and do your best to lose the power trip. People produce far better when they feel respected.  Disrespect them and they will eventually be your demise. Maybe you will be the only one in your employment organization or volunteer group doing this, but soon, it will become apparent that your team has something valuable going on.  Something that you cannot create out of power.

Turn around ….. anyone following you?

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