Remember, Leadership Is About People
Leadership. Do a Google search for the word, and you get 797 MILLION results. That's a lot. We are all leaders in some capacity, whether at home, school, or work. Those of us who recognize our role as a leader look for ways to improve. That's why books are read, podcasts are listened to, and we strive to get better. There are endless leadership skills to study. If we try to excel in all of them, we are quickly overwhelmed. Then we spend more time studying leadership skills than we do actually being a leader.So what is one simple leadership skill we can improve today?
Paul, People, and Leadership
Let's look to the Apostle Paul.We know Paul as a leader in the early church. After his conversion experience, he traveled throughout the ancient world as a preacher and teacher. Countless letters are written, and 13 are preserved in the New Testament. Yet despite his extensive travels and leadership role within the church, he cared deeply about people. Most of his letters contain personal remarks to individuals. He knew the value of relationships.We see this truth clearly in 2 Timothy 1:
[3] I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. [4] As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. [5] I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. (ESV)
Why is this passage important? Because Paul, a primary leader in the early church, takes a moment in his final letter to remember incredibly personal details about Timothy's life.Despite his busy travel and preaching schedule, Paul made Timothy and his family a priority. He paused to learn the details of Timothy's life, and those details had a profound impact on his life.
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As leaders, we often maximize our schedules with tasks and goals. We pride ourselves in stuff being complete stuff and achieving our goals. Our hustle and accomplishments become a badge of honor.
Along the Journey
Yet more important than our hustle are the people we meet along the journey. We can focus exclusively on achieving our goals, or we engage those around us. We discover ways to empower them in their achievements.This approach is what leaders do because it enables you to multiply your impact. Paul invested in Timothy, and Paul multiplied his impact through the work done by Timothy.When we as leaders invest in those around us, we multiply our impact beyond anything we can do on our own. Because leadership isn't about us, it's about people. Period.