Lessons from Spring
I love this time of year – warmer weather, working in the garden, the promise of future fruit in blossoms of the peach trees, and the evening sun lingering a little longer on the western horizon. Every free minute has been spent enjoying time outdoors the past couple of weeks; thus explaining the unusual lapse in time since my last blog post. But a surprise Spring shower has driven me inside this afternoon. And so I find myself in front of the computer contemplating whether there are any leadership applications in all this. I’m sure you are not surprised that I was able to find a few.
The following are a few of the lessons I think we can take from the changing seasons and apply to our role as leaders at home and at work:
· Surprise the team every now and then. Spring brings unexpected new growth, colorful new blooms, different birds at the feeder, and even an occasional hatch of new insects. Likewise, our leadership should also be characterized by the introduction of fresh ideas and new, exciting traditions. Lead the family on a walk after dinner. Take pizza to your kids for lunch in the school cafeteria. Move your Monday morning staff meeting to the parking lot, or to Starbucks. Get creative and shake things up a bit!
· Regenerate some great traditions of the past. In Spring, plants that have been dormant for months start to show signs of life again. Chances are, some of the things you really enjoyed doing as a family or some of the things that you found motivating and effective at work have given way to crowded schedules and changing priorities. Why not resurrect some of those activities this week?
· Be patient. The effects of Spring aren’t instant. The gradual warming over the next 45 days will slowly transform the dry, drab landscape into something much more colorful and inviting. In the same way, we can’t expect instant changes in response to our “new approach.” We will encounter those in our lives who prefer the status quo (a.k.a. dry and drab) over any change no matter how exciting. We must be prepared to deal with those patiently but persistently.
· Take time to enjoy the moment. More than any other time of year, in Spring I find I get lost in thought and can spend hours just sitting and “soaking up” God’s incredible creation. Nature seems to be calling us all to come aside and enjoy. I urge you to intentionally slow down in the weeks ahead. Schedule some time away with the family. Email the boss right now and schedule at least a few vacation days. And be an example to your team of the importance of scheduling some care free enjoyment every now and again.
The following are a few of the lessons I think we can take from the changing seasons and apply to our role as leaders at home and at work:
· Surprise the team every now and then. Spring brings unexpected new growth, colorful new blooms, different birds at the feeder, and even an occasional hatch of new insects. Likewise, our leadership should also be characterized by the introduction of fresh ideas and new, exciting traditions. Lead the family on a walk after dinner. Take pizza to your kids for lunch in the school cafeteria. Move your Monday morning staff meeting to the parking lot, or to Starbucks. Get creative and shake things up a bit!
· Regenerate some great traditions of the past. In Spring, plants that have been dormant for months start to show signs of life again. Chances are, some of the things you really enjoyed doing as a family or some of the things that you found motivating and effective at work have given way to crowded schedules and changing priorities. Why not resurrect some of those activities this week?
· Be patient. The effects of Spring aren’t instant. The gradual warming over the next 45 days will slowly transform the dry, drab landscape into something much more colorful and inviting. In the same way, we can’t expect instant changes in response to our “new approach.” We will encounter those in our lives who prefer the status quo (a.k.a. dry and drab) over any change no matter how exciting. We must be prepared to deal with those patiently but persistently.
· Take time to enjoy the moment. More than any other time of year, in Spring I find I get lost in thought and can spend hours just sitting and “soaking up” God’s incredible creation. Nature seems to be calling us all to come aside and enjoy. I urge you to intentionally slow down in the weeks ahead. Schedule some time away with the family. Email the boss right now and schedule at least a few vacation days. And be an example to your team of the importance of scheduling some care free enjoyment every now and again.
Labels: Change, Leadership
posted by jb at 3:25 PM
4 Comments:
From time to time I am surprised at how leadership works.
Once I thought that the leader was the guy who made the decisions and gave orders. Then I discovered that was so far from the truth that it practically guaranteed failure.
Later, I worked under the leadership paradigm that says the leader provides vision and resources, then gets out of the way. That works better, but it still doesn't produce consistent excellence.
I moved to providing vision, resources, and opportunities for professional and personal growth. This was a step in the right direction, but not the final step.
For a few years now I have been forging a team by doing the above and at the same time showing my people that I really do care about them. The "church term" is servant leadership. It works professionally as well as being personally rewarding.
Now, when I read your post, what popped into my mind at the end was: encouragement (Barnabas). I think I will focus on improving that aspect of leadership.
It is funny, going back and re-reading the post I can't analyze where the "encouragement" idea came from. Maybe because by nature I am a "status quo ante" kind of guy, and I was encouraged by some of the specific things mentioned?
These are great ideas Jackson! I will definitely consider how I can implement some of these things at work (and at home!). We miss you guys so much!!
Caanon
Hey Dad! So is this you telling me that we get to do fun and exciting things when I'm home for spring break? Are you going to take a vacation day to go kayaking with me? Have I ever told you about the day I sat and watched a dung beetle for like 3 whole minutes? Now THAT's awing at nature...I tell you what! I don't know that I've ever sat in wonder of God's awesomeness as much as I did that day. Weird huh!?
JB....those are definately Huge things, thanks for reminding me to slow down and notice things in life! I know i get caught up in life and dont step away at all to take a gande r at the great great creation that our God made for us to enjoy....thanks for that bud!! (P.S- if ya wanna get away, ill meet ya half way and we can have lunch or camp or whatever!!! haha!) fo reals tho thanks for the wisdom man!!!
~THE Will Cherry!!
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