Grow In The Dump.
One of the most common mistakes any leader can make when given the opportunity to lead or manage a new project or team, is confusing the art of delegating with the art of dumping.
I’ll never forget what I heard Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, say regarding the art of delegating as a leader earlier this year at a conference:
“Don’t delegate responsibilities. Delegate authority. When you delegate responsibilities, you create followers. But when you delegate authority, you create leaders.”
I am often asked by younger (and sometimes older) ministry leaders what they should do when they feel like their boss is no longer delegating responsibilities to them, but rather dumping them in an effort to remain in charge, yet void of responsibility.
It seems that nothing can frustrate a lower level leader more than when he or she has come to the realization that his boss or team leader has begun to take advantage of them.
My response to this challenge is quite simple:
If you truly believe you have been called, gifted, and uniquely assigned to your place of employment or ministry, then the time has come for you to learn how to grow in the dump.
I am thoroughly convinced that many of today’s leaders will delegate themselves right out of leadership.
Take the time to discover what burdens (if dumped upon you from another leader) you can adequately handle, and most importantly, are aligned with the kind of responsibilities you believe you should leading in anyway. While I do not believe in conquering giants without a reward, there are times when you can serve someone above you (who is not fit for the position they’re in) right out of that position.
Or even better: you can acquire the skills (and experience) to apply elsewhere for that same position.
This week, take your eyes off what’s coming down on you, and refocus yourself on what has the potential to come out of you. It’s time for many of us to grow in the dump.
