Written by Johan Smith
Try for a moment to see the following picture: the Springbok coach chooses his big, muscular, slow prop on the wing, his tallest lock at scrumhalf, and the small, lightning-fast wing suddenly becomes a hooker. For those who are not knowledgeable or crazy about sport – this equals chaos! It’s like making the quiet, analytical, and introverted accountant the keynote speaker at the next big meeting of company shareholders. It’s not going to work, and the result is intense frustration.
Paul writes and explains it so beautifully in Romans 12:6-8:
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
It’s like the pieces of a puzzle: there’s a specific place for each piece in the puzzle. No puzzle piece will fit in the wrong space. No, you’ll have to break and bend it to try to force it in. That’s what happens to leaders or what many leaders do to others. A leader who isn’t a leader is soon sniffed out by those with him in an organisation. A leader who pretends to be good at something while the world can see it’s a lie is headed for failure.
Number one: as a leader, you need to be aware of your strengths and your weaknesses. Be honest about it – you’re not some super being who’s good at, and in, everything. Talk about it and be honest about it. This will make your people respect and appreciate you. At the same time, it gives them value because they now have a role, place, and function to fulfill.
You should choose your team accordingly. You can’t be everything to everyone and do everything for everyone. The good news is that you don’t have to be or do that either. That’s why good leadership is a team sport. Choose your team and be aware of each one’s strengths and weaknesses. Apply them accordingly. With future appointments, know what your organisation needs to move forward and be more effective. At all times, compliment your team that supports you and makes you unable to function without each other.
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