We all know first hand of many organizations that have stalled out because they had no vision…plenty of people to work, but no ideas for the future. However, I think the real tragedy lies when you have a clear vision that dies on the vine due to failure to meet these basic requirements.

The longer I do this leadership thing the more I wonder if anything will be more important than good planning, organization, reliability, etc. And after a good kick in the pants from your blog here, I’m more convinced that being a mature leader may be defined by how well practiced one becomes in mastering the simple things. In making them so much a part of our daily lives that they aren’t aware of them at all.

I suppose this explains why lately I’ve come to admire the person that has time to worship freely in the act of service. Because deep down they know that the basics have been covered and they can enjoy the journey a little bit along the way. I fear too often my lack of preparing for the simple things has resulted in my being too busy to see God in what I’m doing. And instead of walking with God I found myself praying that everything would be all right in the end. I suppose it’s good to remember that the Trinity doesn’t include God the Holy Glue that Keeps the Vision from Falling Apart. Perhaps that’s been part of my job in leadership all along.

Thanks for the blog, Josh. It was very welcome indeed.

I like posts like this. Great information. Very encouraging.

Great post. At the ripe old age of 45, I am certainly no longer a young leader but can relate too many experiences of having failed at leadership at a young age.

Through trial and error and God’s grace, I have come to the conclusion that effective and ‘respected’ leadership comes from a servant’s heart. I know this may sound cliche but time, trial, error and success have proven that cliches are often born from truth and fact.

‘Respect’ is such a loosely used and footballed term that I encourage anyone involved in any organization at any level to not sweat but expect respect as a result of actions be it in leadership or team involvement.

I think young leaders (and again I write from experience) oftentimes approach the role with a bit of a chip on their shoulder due to the very term ‘young leader.’ ‘Young’ leaders seem to struggle with thoughts of ‘is this deserved,’ ‘why me,’ ‘what if I mess up,’ ‘older subordinates are waiting/expecting/hoping on me to fail,’ etc., to which I respond, you’ve been entrusted with this privilege because someone believes this is deserved, that you are the one best qualified for this role, most likely to succeed leading the entire team to the universal benefit of the organization.

My experience is that respect is only an earned status, not an assigned status nor mandated by title. My absolute belief as a result of 20 years of executive management roles (failed and succeeded) is that respect results from results achieved and results achieved result from leadership through servitude.

Young leader, disarm your subordinates by serving them and everyone in your organization. Do this and enjoy the weight of the respect earned.