The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
Ready to level up? The Champions Brew is your weekly catalyst for personal and professional growth. We’re brewing up powerful insights, actionable strategies, and inspiring stories to inspire, encourage and equip you to unlock your full potential and create a life of uncommon impact. Let’s transform together in 2025!
Picture this: It’s the final seconds of a nail-biting March Madness game. The score is tied, the crowd is roaring, and the ball is in your hands. Now, you’re not exactly known for your clutch shots, but you’ve got an open teammate under the basket. Instead of forcing a contested layup, you pass it off. Buzzer-beater! Assist! The team erupts, and we win. It was a moment of pure teamwork, a vivid reminder: you can’t win championships alone.
As leaders, we often fall into the trap of thinking we’re the star players, the only ones capable of hitting the game-winning shot. We hoard the ball, convinced that “if you want it done right, do it yourself.” But that’s a recipe for benching your team’s potential and losing the big game. We need to build a team of all-stars, a roster of capable leaders who can multiply our impact and bring home the trophy.
But why don’t we? What gets in the way?
Barriers to Developing Others:
- Pride’s Grip: That insidious voice whispering, “No one can do it as well as you.” It’s a lie, friends. It limits your team’s potential and your own. John Maxwell says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Pride isolates; partnership multiplies.
- Insecurity’s Shadow: The fear that developing others will lead to your own obsolescence. It’s a scarcity mindset, a fear that someone will take your job. Instead, view it as building a legacy. Ed Mylett emphasizes, “Your income and your impact will be directly proportional to your identity. If you’re insecure, you’ll limit your impact.” Leaders, your identity should be rooted in growth, not fear.
- Time’s Tyranny: “I’m too busy!” the common refrain. But investing in your team isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Neglecting their development leads to underperformance and missed opportunities. As Maxwell states, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Time invested in people shows you care.
Recently, I attended a leadership conference at church and was deeply moved by one of our leader’s passion for equipping others. He reminded me of the ultimate leadership model: Jesus.
Here is my summary from the notes I took that day of the model Jesus used to develop other leaders:
Jesus had a mission: to proclaim the kingdom of God to all nations. And he knew he couldn’t do it alone. Here are 5 ways that He developed his disciples to do the work of the great commission.
- He Identified Potential: He chose common men, not the elite, to do uncommon work. He saw potential where others saw ordinary. As leaders, we must do the same. Maxwell says, “People are more important than plans.” See the people first and then the potential.
- He Gave Access to Your Life: Jesus was present and intentional, building relationships with his disciples. Leaders, be present, share your experiences, and invest in your team.
- He Gave Responsibility: Luke 9:1-2 “Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Jesus delegated authority, freeing himself to focus on vision. Leaders, empower your team to take ownership so that you can have the time to think strategically and develop the culture and vision of your team
- He Coached and Corrected: Jesus used parables to teach and corrected his disciples when necessary. Leaders, share your wisdom through the use of great story-telling and provide constructive feedback when needed. I love to use movie clips to illustrate great leadership moments and when they are your stories, they are even more powerful and impactful.
- Develop Yourself: Jesus was a master of scripture and prioritized alone time for prayer. Leaders, never stop learning and growing. Be intentional about blocking time out for your own development as well as purposeful reflection. Ed Mylett says, “You can’t give what you don’t have.” Grow yourself to grow others.
When we invest in others, we create a ripple effect. It’s not just about building a team; it’s about building momentum. It’s about growing champions.
Being successful as a leader requires intentional leadership habits. That’s why I developed the Ideal Week template – a tool that helps me identify disciplines and habits needed for success and allocate the necessary time. It guides you through planning your ideal week, ensuring you dedicate time to the activities that bring you closer to your goals.
Want to give it a try? Email me at [email protected] with the words ‘IDEAL WEEK’ in the subject line and I’ll send you a copy of the Ideal Week template complete with a sample to get you started!
- Quote of the week:
‘Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.’ – John C Maxwell
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: Who are you developing today? Don’t let pride, insecurity, or busyness rob you of the opportunity to multiply your impact. Identify one person on your team and commit to investing in their growth this week. Share your experiences, delegate responsibility, and coach them toward success.
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”. Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
