Week 15:-: Good Success - The winning team!

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.Write a brief summary of what you learned this week and explain why it is important for all leaders. Post on your blog and share the link in your group.