Objectives:
·
Understand the definition of true success
·
Evaluate the ability of your team to succeed
·
Develop strategies to help your team succeed
Servant leaders should be committed to the success of their
teams. That is why they exist!
What is success?
"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do
according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from
it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This
Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it
day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is
written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will
have good success” Joshua 1:7-8.
“Success is the application of wisdom “ ~ Maurice Ndansi
I love this John C. Maxwell quote, “leaders find a way for
the team to win!” The servant leader, has as primary responsibility the success
of the team he leads. How do you define success? Every team, be it family, work,
church or project exists for a purpose and is made up of people. While the
purpose of the team is of absolute importance, the servant leader understands
that the empowerment of team members is key. Based on these considerations, we
can therefore state that true success is twofold and must include the wellbeing
and development of the team as well as the accomplishment of set goals. Success however, is clearly not only about
accomplishing goals, it is indeed the end results when wisdom is applied. We
can learn a few things about the origin of success by looking at the dynamics in
operation in King Solomon’s life (1 Kings 3:1-15);
1.
He recognized that he needed more than his human
strength and wealth in order to lead people successfully;
2.
He asked God for wisdom in order to lead the
people.
King Solomon asked God for wisdom, in order to successfully
lead the Israelites. God gave him what he asked for and we see him
demonstrating wisdom when faced with a case that needed both wisdom and
discernment. When wisdom is applied, the fruits of success are inevitable. A
servant leader will strive to make his/her team succeed. Their commitment to
success is unshakeable and as Maxwell says, loosing is unacceptable. Goals are
accomplished through people and if these people are not equipped, loved and
empowered, their ability to succeed in both personal and corporate missions is
slim.
Building a success mindset
Some practical steps a leader needs to take to ensure the
success of his/her team include;
1.
Ask God for wisdom – The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom (Solomon - Book of proverbs). Your actions, decisions and commitments,
should be based on directions you receive from God.
2.
Study God’s word and walk in obedience. God
instructed the new leader of Israel , Joshua, after Moses’ demise, Joshua to be
bold and courageous as well as consistent in meditating in His Word (day and
night) and obeying in order to obtain good success. Your decisions and actions as
a servant leader should be based on the word of God rather than on the tendencies
in the world.
3.
Accountability – If you are not
accountable, you will likely not evaluate. Knowing that you have to give an
account, will help you focus on results. As stewards, Servant Leaders know they
are accountable for the people under their watch ( e.g. family or team members)
and are responsible for their growth and personal development. They are also
accountable for organization under their leadership and will give an account of
their management. Our ultimate accountability is towards the Judge of all men,
God.
4.
Shared vision – Do your people know what
is expected of them as team members? You need to communicate the vision frequently
and give people the tools necessary to apply what they are learning. Your continued
commitment to their personal development will help create buy-in to the vision.
5.
Passion – Success is almost impossible
without passion or drive. A servant leaders’ best tool for success is passion.
Passion for people as well as the vision. This is necessary for selling the
vision, demonstrating their commitment and creating buy-in. Passion projects
believe rather than just a partial commitment. Do you believe in the potential of your
people? Have you told them so?
6.
Adaptability – Adaptability is the
ability to blend-in when the cause is good. A servant Leader is willing to
adapt to a radically different culture in order to get the attention of the
people in his/her sphere of influence. Adapting does not mean compromising your
values though, no. It is developing empathy through seeking to walk in another
person’s shoes.
The tools discussed above, will help you apply wisdom leading
to good fruits. You may accomplish some success through sheer will power,
strategy and human strength but, good success comes from God. He alone can help
you maximize your potential to both develop yourself and others and help the
organization attain good success.
Assignment 15
1. Take a look at the goals you set a few weeks ago. Have you
been successful? Diagnose the reason why if you have not been successful.
2. What have you done in-order to deliberately empower your
team members over the last 2 weeks. Were you successful? What could you have
done differently?
3. Has the organization (family) under your leadership been
successful in meeting and exceeding its goals? What was your contribution
towards this?
4. Are you committed to the success of your family, organization
and church? In what way?
5. Are you accountable to someone who knows your visions and
goals? Who? When did you last discuss your progress?
6.Email your assignment to your mentor and copy Team21. Post a summary of what you learned on your blog and share the link in your group 7.Write a short leadership thought based on what you learned this week and share with your mentor. Once they validate, post on your LinkedIn and #Team21, #ServantLeadership #NotSoWithYou
8.Please e-mail your answers for this week and all other weeks to team21online@gmail.com and your mentor at the latest on Saturday. Also post a summary of what you have learned on your newly created blog. Ask your mentor for her/his email address.
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