Law #12 of John Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is:
The Law of Empowerment: Only Secure Leaders Give Power to Others
“If leaders want to be successful, they have to be willing to empower others.” Maxwell notes that, in order to effectively lead others, we have to help them reach their potential. This relates to the Law of Addition and adding value. However, a leader has to be secure in order to accomplish this, since empowering others includes giving them some power.
Barriers to Empowerment
“Only empowered people can reach their potential. When a leader can’t or won’t empower others, he creates barriers within the organization that followers cannot overcome. If the barriers remain long enough, then the people give up and stop trying, or they go to another organization where they can realize their potential.”
Why leaders fail to empower others:
1. Desire for Job Security?: “The #1 enemy of empowerment is the fear of losing what we have.” There is a paradox to the Law of Empowerment- “The only way to make yourself indispensable is to make yourself dispensable.”
2. Resistance to Change: As we get older, we tend to resist change. But, “change is the price of progress.” We have to train ourselves to embrace and desire change.
3. Lack of Self-Worth: Self conscious people are usually so focused on themselves that they do not make good leaders. They cannot give power to others because they do feel like they have any themselves.
The Power of Empowerment
• The main ingredient is belief in others. If you believe in others, they will believe in themselves.
• Encouragement from someone you respect is quite empowering. It makes you feel appreciated and validates you, which adds to your self worth. In turn, you regard the person who encouraged you even more.
• “Empowerment is powerful- not only for the person being developed but also for the mentor. Enlarging others makes you larger.”
Applying the Law of Empowerment to Your Life
1. Do you believe in yourself? How do you characterize yourself regarding self worth? Are you confident? Do you have value and feel that you generally have positive things to offer? If you do not, or rate lowly in this area, you will have a hard time with the Law of Empowerment. You need to take steps to add value to yourself and/or explore why you are lacking self worth.
2. Do you believe in others? Make a list of the people in your team [or those closest to you]. Rate each on a scale of 1-10 based on potential [not current ability]. If the ratings are low, you likely have problems believing in others and seeing their potential. Start thinking about each person and his/her positive attributes. What are their greatest strengths and how could those attributes be leveraged to accomplish goals.
3. If your natural inclination is to build and then hold onto power, you will need to transition to become an empowering leader. Start with choosing your best people and set them up for success. Provide training and resources and help them set and accomplish goals. If they fail, help them keep trying until they succeed.
Reference:
Maxwell, John. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Chapter 12- The Law of Empowerment. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN; 2007
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Word Is Alive
Hebrews Chapter 4:
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
It is truly amazing that we have a Word, a tool, a guide, written more than generations and generations ago- that pertains to us today. A Word that corrected someone 3000 years ago, corrects us today. A Word that encourgaed someone 2000 years ago, encourages us today. A Word that describes a Love that sacrificed His own life for a sinner back then, tells us that that same Love is for us too!
Who else?...What else has this?! This rod and staff which comforts us? This assurance?
Thank You, Lord, for giving us You in this living and active way. Please use this Word, this part of You, to help us to know You! - Amen
In Him.
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
It is truly amazing that we have a Word, a tool, a guide, written more than generations and generations ago- that pertains to us today. A Word that corrected someone 3000 years ago, corrects us today. A Word that encourgaed someone 2000 years ago, encourages us today. A Word that describes a Love that sacrificed His own life for a sinner back then, tells us that that same Love is for us too!
Who else?...What else has this?! This rod and staff which comforts us? This assurance?
Thank You, Lord, for giving us You in this living and active way. Please use this Word, this part of You, to help us to know You! - Amen
In Him.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
We Need To Own It
Openness by the leader paves the way for ownership by the people. Without ownership, changes will be short term. Changing people’s habits and ways of thinking is like writing instructions in the snow during a snowstorm. Every twenty minutes the instructions must be rewritten, unless ownership is given along with instructions. [John Maxwell]
Friday, June 18, 2010
Who Is Our Help?
I lift up my eyes to the hills- from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, not the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. -Psalm 121
Think about how unsettling and stressful it is to feel afraid….yet how comforting and peaceful it is to feel safe.
It’s like walking along a strange, dark street, all alone- and then noticing a police officer standing up ahead. You feel relieved, safer.
It’s like being at home, alone and hearing a strange noise outside- and then realizing it was a stray cat getting into your garbage can. You feel relieved, safer.
It’s like having an abnormal finding from your last doctor’s visit that requires ‘further testing’- and then finding out that it’s ‘nothing’ and everything is fine. You feel relieved, safer.
It’s like these things – but so much more.
Not only are we protected in this world – but in the next. Our souls are His and He will keep us safe forever.
It is so nice to know that we have, not just any protector, but THE protector.
The One who made the heaven and the earth.
He who keeps us will not slumber. God’s got our back!
-In Him
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, not the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. -Psalm 121
Think about how unsettling and stressful it is to feel afraid….yet how comforting and peaceful it is to feel safe.
It’s like walking along a strange, dark street, all alone- and then noticing a police officer standing up ahead. You feel relieved, safer.
It’s like being at home, alone and hearing a strange noise outside- and then realizing it was a stray cat getting into your garbage can. You feel relieved, safer.
It’s like having an abnormal finding from your last doctor’s visit that requires ‘further testing’- and then finding out that it’s ‘nothing’ and everything is fine. You feel relieved, safer.
It’s like these things – but so much more.
Not only are we protected in this world – but in the next. Our souls are His and He will keep us safe forever.
It is so nice to know that we have, not just any protector, but THE protector.
The One who made the heaven and the earth.
He who keeps us will not slumber. God’s got our back!
-In Him
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Is It In The Lord, Or Is It In Vain?
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.
-Psalm 127:1-2
Our lives are so busy, so full.
But, with what?
What is it that fills our days?
Why is it that so many of us just don’t have time?
We need to take an inventory of each thing we do- is it of God, or not?
Simple…but not easy.
Unless God is driving, we are going nowhere.
Much of our stress surely comes from trying to juggle things that we are doing outside of God’s will for us…including some church and charity activities. We think that just because the activity is ‘Godly,’ then God must want us to do it….not necessarily. Of course, we need to serve. But what we do and how much of it we do…should be determined by the Holy Spirit. Imagine if we were only doing what God directed us to do. Would we seem to have a little more time? Be a little [a lot] less stressed? Be more productive? Feel more fulfilled?
Simple…but not easy.
-In Him
Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.
-Psalm 127:1-2
Our lives are so busy, so full.
But, with what?
What is it that fills our days?
Why is it that so many of us just don’t have time?
We need to take an inventory of each thing we do- is it of God, or not?
Simple…but not easy.
Unless God is driving, we are going nowhere.
Much of our stress surely comes from trying to juggle things that we are doing outside of God’s will for us…including some church and charity activities. We think that just because the activity is ‘Godly,’ then God must want us to do it….not necessarily. Of course, we need to serve. But what we do and how much of it we do…should be determined by the Holy Spirit. Imagine if we were only doing what God directed us to do. Would we seem to have a little more time? Be a little [a lot] less stressed? Be more productive? Feel more fulfilled?
Simple…but not easy.
-In Him
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Law of The Inner Circle
Law #11 of John Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is:
The Law of The Inner Circle: A Leader’s Potential Is Determined By Those Closest To Him
“Nobody does anything great alone.” Leaders do have to have talent and skills. They have to perform. However, “without a good team, they often do not get the opportunity. Their potential is determined by those closest to them.” No one does everything well. Even just considering the 21 Laws in this book- no one person will master them all…which is a main reason why we need a team.
Who should be in your inner circle?
Maxwell notes that most people create inner circles of people. However, most are not strategic about it. We often surround ourselves with people like us. But, truly effective leaders will also incorporates those who are different, who complement them, who are strong where the leader is weak. This needs to be an intentional process. As you consider who should be in your inner circle, ask yourself the following questions. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of them, then the person you are considering is an excellent candidate.
1. Do they have high influence with others?: Drawing influencers into your inner circle will make you more effective. As you influence them, they will help influence others.
2. Do they bring a complementary gift to the table?: You want members of your inner circle to possess strengths where you are weak.
3. Do they hold a strategic position?: As you influence those in strategic positions, they will directly be able to act on, implement, manage and maintain what is aligned with your vision.
4. Do they add value?: You want “lifters” and not “leaners.”
5. Do they positively impact other inner circle members?: This relates to team chemistry. If your inner circle is going to work together effectively as a team, you need to consider how they interact.
Never stop improving your inner circle.• - No leader starts out with a strong inner circle.
• Usually, upon taking on a new position, a leader has to build the inner circle- and should be intentional about it. .
• The goal is to have an inner circle of high performers who either extend your influence beyond your reach or help you grow and become a better leader.
• However, you should always be reevaluating and looking to add to your circle, as you and your organization grows.
How to increase your capacity and maximize your potential as a leader:
1. Become the best leader you can.
2. Surround yourself with the best leaders you can find.
Applying the Law of The Inner Circle to Your Life
1. Your inner circle members are those whom you seek for advice, turn to for support and rely on to help you get things done. This may be all your employees, if you lead a small staff. List their names. Next to each, write what that person contributes and/or what s/he has the potential to contribute. Identify holes or duplications. Then look for people to fill holes and ways to eliminate duplications. Be ready to challenge current members with potential to rise to your expectations.
2. Great inner circles are made intentionally and should be continually developed:
a. Spend extra time to strategically mentor and develop relationships.
b. Give extra responsibility and place higher expectations.
c. Give more credit when things go well and hold accountable when they don’t.
Make sure you are taking these steps with your inner circle members, as well as with those whom you are considering bringing in.
3. As your staff becomes larger, you will not [be able to] have all of them as part of your inner circle. You will then transition and maintain your inner circle as a ‘team within a team.’ Guidelines for this transition:
a. When your immediate staff is more than 7.
b. When you can no longer directly lead everyone.
c. In a volunteer situation- when others besides paid staff should be in the inner circle.
Reference:
Maxwell, John. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Chapter 11- The Law of The Inner Circle. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN; 2007
The Law of The Inner Circle: A Leader’s Potential Is Determined By Those Closest To Him
“Nobody does anything great alone.” Leaders do have to have talent and skills. They have to perform. However, “without a good team, they often do not get the opportunity. Their potential is determined by those closest to them.” No one does everything well. Even just considering the 21 Laws in this book- no one person will master them all…which is a main reason why we need a team.
Who should be in your inner circle?
Maxwell notes that most people create inner circles of people. However, most are not strategic about it. We often surround ourselves with people like us. But, truly effective leaders will also incorporates those who are different, who complement them, who are strong where the leader is weak. This needs to be an intentional process. As you consider who should be in your inner circle, ask yourself the following questions. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of them, then the person you are considering is an excellent candidate.
1. Do they have high influence with others?: Drawing influencers into your inner circle will make you more effective. As you influence them, they will help influence others.
2. Do they bring a complementary gift to the table?: You want members of your inner circle to possess strengths where you are weak.
3. Do they hold a strategic position?: As you influence those in strategic positions, they will directly be able to act on, implement, manage and maintain what is aligned with your vision.
4. Do they add value?: You want “lifters” and not “leaners.”
5. Do they positively impact other inner circle members?: This relates to team chemistry. If your inner circle is going to work together effectively as a team, you need to consider how they interact.
Never stop improving your inner circle.• - No leader starts out with a strong inner circle.
• Usually, upon taking on a new position, a leader has to build the inner circle- and should be intentional about it. .
• The goal is to have an inner circle of high performers who either extend your influence beyond your reach or help you grow and become a better leader.
• However, you should always be reevaluating and looking to add to your circle, as you and your organization grows.
How to increase your capacity and maximize your potential as a leader:
1. Become the best leader you can.
2. Surround yourself with the best leaders you can find.
Applying the Law of The Inner Circle to Your Life
1. Your inner circle members are those whom you seek for advice, turn to for support and rely on to help you get things done. This may be all your employees, if you lead a small staff. List their names. Next to each, write what that person contributes and/or what s/he has the potential to contribute. Identify holes or duplications. Then look for people to fill holes and ways to eliminate duplications. Be ready to challenge current members with potential to rise to your expectations.
2. Great inner circles are made intentionally and should be continually developed:
a. Spend extra time to strategically mentor and develop relationships.
b. Give extra responsibility and place higher expectations.
c. Give more credit when things go well and hold accountable when they don’t.
Make sure you are taking these steps with your inner circle members, as well as with those whom you are considering bringing in.
3. As your staff becomes larger, you will not [be able to] have all of them as part of your inner circle. You will then transition and maintain your inner circle as a ‘team within a team.’ Guidelines for this transition:
a. When your immediate staff is more than 7.
b. When you can no longer directly lead everyone.
c. In a volunteer situation- when others besides paid staff should be in the inner circle.
Reference:
Maxwell, John. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Chapter 11- The Law of The Inner Circle. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN; 2007
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Things Into Which Angels Long to Look
We have such a precious gift in the salvation given to us by our Lord. This is a gift about which the great prophets spoke of, at their own ridicule and rejection and peril. A gift that they knew would be so great, so merciful. This is a gift that even the angels wanted to know about...and it has been given to us! ...to any of us who believe Him and believe in Him. So, let's remember just how special we are to be His! We have been so blessed with the most unimaginable gift- into which the angles long to look...
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven- things into which angels long to look!
-1 Peter 1:10-12
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven- things into which angels long to look!
-1 Peter 1:10-12
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