Myth #7 - The All or Nothing Myth
What are the odds that you will become the top leader in your organization? My guess is that the odds would be pretty high. Think about it: one position with several interested and qualified parties, yet only one person can hold that position. In most cases, those top positions are held by the same person for many years. The reality is that many people will not be the top leader, so does that mean you give up leading altogether?
Most people do give up. They take a look around their organization, recognize that they will not make the top position and give up. Their attitudes are "if I am not the Captain, then I will not play."
Some people may enter the leadership process but become frustrated by their position. Their idea of success is based on their position so if they are not the top leader, they may become disillusioned, cynical, bitter, or angry. Soon, they will become a hindrance to the vision and success of the organization rather a help or solution.
You might wonder, "what good can I do if I am on the sidelines?" The answer is plenty, if you are really to invest in leading and influence, if you choose to have the attitude to lead, and choose to reach your potential where you are.
Remember, you can lead from anywhere in the organization. It is truly up to you.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
I can't reach my potential if I am not the top leader
Myth #6 - The Potential Myth
How many children or youth dream of becoming:
Vice President vs President
Executive Assistant vs CEO
Asst Coach vs Head Coach
Teacher vs Principal
Janitor vs Pastor
Employee vs Owner
Safety vs Quarterback
Outfielder vs Pitcher
If we would admit the truth, many of us would saw we want the top position. We want to #1, the top dog. We do not always want to be at the bottom or the middle, and yet many of us may never be the top leader of an organization. Not because we are not capable, but the number of top positions are limited, so many of us would probably be in the middle. The question to ask is, "Am I okay with that or should I play King of the Hill to reach the top?"
John Maxwell states this idea from a different perspective. He believes that people should strive for the top of the game, not always the top of the organization. To strive for the top of our game means that we reaching our full potential no matter where we are or what position we hold. You can make the greatest impact from somewhere else other than the top position.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
How many children or youth dream of becoming:
Vice President vs President
Executive Assistant vs CEO
Asst Coach vs Head Coach
Teacher vs Principal
Janitor vs Pastor
Employee vs Owner
Safety vs Quarterback
Outfielder vs Pitcher
If we would admit the truth, many of us would saw we want the top position. We want to #1, the top dog. We do not always want to be at the bottom or the middle, and yet many of us may never be the top leader of an organization. Not because we are not capable, but the number of top positions are limited, so many of us would probably be in the middle. The question to ask is, "Am I okay with that or should I play King of the Hill to reach the top?"
John Maxwell states this idea from a different perspective. He believes that people should strive for the top of the game, not always the top of the organization. To strive for the top of our game means that we reaching our full potential no matter where we are or what position we hold. You can make the greatest impact from somewhere else other than the top position.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Sunday, December 21, 2014
When I get to the top, I'll no longer be limited
Myth #5 - The Freedom Myth
Have you ever had these thoughts?
- Leadership is the ticket to freedom.
- When I get to the top, you will have made it.
- When I reach the top, I will have time to rest.
- When I own it all, I will be able to do whatever I want.
- When I am in charge, the sky is the limit.
I am sure those thoughts have crept in from time-to-time, especially if one is at the bottom of the leadership ladder. Those of us at the bottom seem to get the grunt work or any assigned position, and we see the top leaders just hanging around, and we think, I want to be at the top because it will be easier.
Anyone who has been at the top will tell you that those ideas are mere fantasies. Being at the top will not eliminate your limits. You will still have limits.
When you move up in an organization, your responsibilities will increase. Most times, your responsibilities will increase faster than your authority will. The higher you go, more is expected of you, the pressure increases, and the impact of your decisions weighs more.
Let's look at this example:
Junior Leader/Adult Leader in Children's Ministry (Volunteer)
- You are really good at working with children.
- You are good at developing relationships with other leaders.
- You are consistently on time.
- You are assigned to one grade/age of children.
- You can choose your schedule.
- You have one job assignment.
- You lend a hand when asked.
Yeah, you are promoted to Service Leader!
- Still working with children, but now you have the full service to organize
- Responsible for training and supervising all leaders and volunteers
- Your schedule increases with more demand for your time.
- Your responsibilities increase to include other departments
- You are responsible for supplies, curriculum, and other items for several classrooms
Yeah, now you are promoted to Children's Pastor!
- You oversee several divisions or departments
- You are responsible for all leaders and volunteers
- You are responsible for every aspect of the ministry, including the good and bad.
- You plan, schedule and run all meetings, services, and events
- You oversee all ages of children
- You develop the policies
- You responsible for every penny spent within your budget and expenses
- You have extra meetings as you represent your department within the whole organization.
Being at the top is not as freeing or as easy, but if you want push the limits of your effectiveness -- learning to lead will blow the lid off your potential.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Have you ever had these thoughts?
- Leadership is the ticket to freedom.
- When I get to the top, you will have made it.
- When I reach the top, I will have time to rest.
- When I own it all, I will be able to do whatever I want.
- When I am in charge, the sky is the limit.
I am sure those thoughts have crept in from time-to-time, especially if one is at the bottom of the leadership ladder. Those of us at the bottom seem to get the grunt work or any assigned position, and we see the top leaders just hanging around, and we think, I want to be at the top because it will be easier.
Anyone who has been at the top will tell you that those ideas are mere fantasies. Being at the top will not eliminate your limits. You will still have limits.
When you move up in an organization, your responsibilities will increase. Most times, your responsibilities will increase faster than your authority will. The higher you go, more is expected of you, the pressure increases, and the impact of your decisions weighs more.
Let's look at this example:
Junior Leader/Adult Leader in Children's Ministry (Volunteer)
- You are really good at working with children.
- You are good at developing relationships with other leaders.
- You are consistently on time.
- You are assigned to one grade/age of children.
- You can choose your schedule.
- You have one job assignment.
- You lend a hand when asked.
Yeah, you are promoted to Service Leader!
- Still working with children, but now you have the full service to organize
- Responsible for training and supervising all leaders and volunteers
- Your schedule increases with more demand for your time.
- Your responsibilities increase to include other departments
- You are responsible for supplies, curriculum, and other items for several classrooms
Yeah, now you are promoted to Children's Pastor!
- You oversee several divisions or departments
- You are responsible for all leaders and volunteers
- You are responsible for every aspect of the ministry, including the good and bad.
- You plan, schedule and run all meetings, services, and events
- You oversee all ages of children
- You develop the policies
- You responsible for every penny spent within your budget and expenses
- You have extra meetings as you represent your department within the whole organization.
Being at the top is not as freeing or as easy, but if you want push the limits of your effectiveness -- learning to lead will blow the lid off your potential.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Friday, December 19, 2014
When I get to the top, I'll be in control.
Myth #4: The Inexperience Myth
Have you ever thought, "If only I was in charge, we wouldn't have done that or we would not have done this. Things would be different if only I was calling the shots." Despite how true this statement is as every leader is uniquely qualified and gifted, it is not as simple as that.
The good news about that thought is that it shows one's desire to improve the ministry, the organization, and/or team and the belief that you are capable of doing it. That desire and belief are qualities of a good leader.
The bad news is without experience as the top leader, you might overestimate the amount of control you truly have. When you are at the top, you will need ever ounce of influence you have for your position does not give you complete control, nor does it always protect you. Being at the top brings it's own set of challenges.
No matter where you are (the bottom, middle or top), the foundation will always be influence.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Have you ever thought, "If only I was in charge, we wouldn't have done that or we would not have done this. Things would be different if only I was calling the shots." Despite how true this statement is as every leader is uniquely qualified and gifted, it is not as simple as that.
The good news about that thought is that it shows one's desire to improve the ministry, the organization, and/or team and the belief that you are capable of doing it. That desire and belief are qualities of a good leader.
The bad news is without experience as the top leader, you might overestimate the amount of control you truly have. When you are at the top, you will need ever ounce of influence you have for your position does not give you complete control, nor does it always protect you. Being at the top brings it's own set of challenges.
No matter where you are (the bottom, middle or top), the foundation will always be influence.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
If I were on top, then people would follow me.
Myth #3 - The Influence Myth
To influence a person means that you have the ability and opportunity to sway a person to your way of thinking, instructions, vision or plans. For many, to be influential, they must have a title or position.
People with little or no leadership experience tend to overestimate the leadership title. They think that to be bestowed with a title automatically means they have the influence. But that is not true. Influence must be earned. It cannot be granted by someone else.
If you are given a position, it gives you a chance to try out your leadership skills and abilities. In the beginning, people will hopefully give you the benefit of the doubt, but given time your level of influence will grow. It can only grow in two directions: for better or for worse.
Good leaders will gain influence beyond their position.
Bad leaders will shrink their influence, even to the point that their influence will be less than when they started the position.
The position does not make the leader.
The leader can make the position.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
To influence a person means that you have the ability and opportunity to sway a person to your way of thinking, instructions, vision or plans. For many, to be influential, they must have a title or position.
People with little or no leadership experience tend to overestimate the leadership title. They think that to be bestowed with a title automatically means they have the influence. But that is not true. Influence must be earned. It cannot be granted by someone else.
If you are given a position, it gives you a chance to try out your leadership skills and abilities. In the beginning, people will hopefully give you the benefit of the doubt, but given time your level of influence will grow. It can only grow in two directions: for better or for worse.
Good leaders will gain influence beyond their position.
Bad leaders will shrink their influence, even to the point that their influence will be less than when they started the position.
The position does not make the leader.
The leader can make the position.
*Materials were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Monday, December 15, 2014
When I get to the top, then I'll learn to lead.
Myth #2 - The Destination Myth
Leadership just does not happen. Nor do leadership ability and skills magically appear when you are handed or assigned a leadership position or title. Leadership takes time, training, and opportunities at all stages.
If you want to succeed, you need to learn as much as you can about leadership before you have the position or title. Good leadership is learned in the trenches. Leading as well as you can wherever you are prepares you for more and greater responsibilities.
Becoming a leader is a lifelong process!
Learning and practicing your leadership skills and decision-making process when the stakes are small and low will save you from making bad decisions when the cost is high, the impact is far reaching, and the exposure is greater.
So how do you become the leader you desire to be? You start now by: adopting the thinking, learning the skills, and developing habits of the person who you want to be.
If you want to be a successful leader, learn to lead long before you are at the top.
*materials taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Leadership just does not happen. Nor do leadership ability and skills magically appear when you are handed or assigned a leadership position or title. Leadership takes time, training, and opportunities at all stages.
If you want to succeed, you need to learn as much as you can about leadership before you have the position or title. Good leadership is learned in the trenches. Leading as well as you can wherever you are prepares you for more and greater responsibilities.
Becoming a leader is a lifelong process!
Learning and practicing your leadership skills and decision-making process when the stakes are small and low will save you from making bad decisions when the cost is high, the impact is far reaching, and the exposure is greater.
So how do you become the leader you desire to be? You start now by: adopting the thinking, learning the skills, and developing habits of the person who you want to be.
If you want to be a successful leader, learn to lead long before you are at the top.
*materials taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader
Friday, December 12, 2014
I can't lead unless I am at the top.
Many people struggle with leadership. Some people even strive to be the leader or to obtain leadership positions. Some hold back because they do not believe they are leaders without a title. They buy into the idea that a position title automatically grants leadership or influence with those who follow.
Yet, I can picture several people in my mind's eye who hold leadership titles or position and they have no influence. No is following them, unless a person absolutely must follow that leader. I can name people who have no titles, no positions and I would follow them in a heartbeat.
John Maxwell calls this concept the "Position Myth," believing that someone cannot lead unless they are the top person or in the top position. This is not true. The Law of Leadership states, "The true measure of leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less."
If leadership is influence, then what is it? According to the dictionary, influence is defined as: the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others. No where in this definition does it state that to have influence a person must be caption, president, supervisor, CEO, or other such titles. Influence is the ability to sway opinion, thoughts, behaviors by simply being.
According to John Maxwell, there are Five Levels of Leadership that a person travels. Let's check out this levels:
Level One: Position
You can only start from the position you have been given.
Level Two: Relationships
At this level, those you lead choose to follow you because they want to follow.
Level Three: Production
You will move into this level due to the results you achieve on the job
Level Four: Developing Others
The foundation is value. Those you lead follow because of what you have done for them.
Level Five: Personhood
This is the only level that you cannot strive to obtain on your own skill or ability. This level you earn and are appointed by those you lead.
When you understand the dynamics of gaining influence with people using the Five Levels of Leadership, you will realize position has little to do with genuine leadership.
Do you:
- have to be at the top to develop relationships and get people to like working with you?
- need to possess the top title to achieve results and help others become productive?
No, you do not. You can lead others from anywhere in the organization.
*materials for this blog were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader.
Yet, I can picture several people in my mind's eye who hold leadership titles or position and they have no influence. No is following them, unless a person absolutely must follow that leader. I can name people who have no titles, no positions and I would follow them in a heartbeat.
John Maxwell calls this concept the "Position Myth," believing that someone cannot lead unless they are the top person or in the top position. This is not true. The Law of Leadership states, "The true measure of leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less."
If leadership is influence, then what is it? According to the dictionary, influence is defined as: the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others. No where in this definition does it state that to have influence a person must be caption, president, supervisor, CEO, or other such titles. Influence is the ability to sway opinion, thoughts, behaviors by simply being.
According to John Maxwell, there are Five Levels of Leadership that a person travels. Let's check out this levels:
Level One: Position
You can only start from the position you have been given.
Level Two: Relationships
At this level, those you lead choose to follow you because they want to follow.
Level Three: Production
You will move into this level due to the results you achieve on the job
Level Four: Developing Others
The foundation is value. Those you lead follow because of what you have done for them.
Level Five: Personhood
This is the only level that you cannot strive to obtain on your own skill or ability. This level you earn and are appointed by those you lead.
When you understand the dynamics of gaining influence with people using the Five Levels of Leadership, you will realize position has little to do with genuine leadership.
Do you:
- have to be at the top to develop relationships and get people to like working with you?
- need to possess the top title to achieve results and help others become productive?
No, you do not. You can lead others from anywhere in the organization.
*materials for this blog were taken from John Maxwell's The 360 Degree Leader.
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