Learning to Lead through Others

Identify, Equip, Empower

Here is a question worth considering: What would happen in your organization if you stepped away for 30 days?

If the answer makes you uncomfortable, you are not alone. Leaders feel the weight of all the responsibilities that drive their organizations. And yet, the opportunity is right in front of us to equip the leaders we have within our sphere of influence.

Learning from Paul and Timothy

Leadership is God’s design. If we look at the relationship between Paul and Timothy, we have a perfect example of identifying and equipping leaders to help us further the mission.

In 2 Timothy 1 it is clear that Paul identified Timothy as a leader and is mentoring Timothy. He says in 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say… entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Paul is building the church, and he has tapped Timothy to not only walk alongside him but also to equip others. Leaders multiplying leaders. How do we put this into practice today? It starts with identifying who, in our sphere of influence, will help carry the load.

Identifying the Leaders Within

Leadership isn’t always found in your highest performers. You will find your best leaders are team members who others naturally turn to when things get tough. They are self-starters who look for ways to drive the mission forward without looking for accolades. They handle setbacks and find solutions and most importantly they take the team with them, mentoring them through difficult situations and sharing the wins.

As you consider who your next leaders are, look for three core disciplines in building your leadership team:

• Curiosity with an ownership mindset – they take responsibility without being prompted and foster a culture of innovation and creativity,
• Humility – the team naturally follows them because they have built trust, and
• Empathy – they create connections with others, especially under pressure.

Now that you have identified them, the best way to surface potential is to create small leadership moments — stretch assignments and low-stake challenges that reveal their potential.

Equip them through Delegation

Most leaders know they should delegate more. What holds them back is usually one of a few familiar fears: “It’s faster if I just do it myself. What if they get it wrong? I don’t want to add to their plate.” These concerns are understandable — but they come at a cost. Fatigue, isolation, and stress.

Delegation, done well, communicates trust and builds confidence.

Delegation, done well, communicates trust and builds confidence. It frees you to focus on the mission and the tasks that only you can do. Plus, real-world experience and responsibility builds leaders faster in the most efficient way.

Here is a simple framework to guide you through the process:

• Assign the task with clear expectations.
• Equip them with the resources they need to succeed.
• Trust them to lead without micromanaging.
• Debrief together to celebrate their growth.

Walking alongside them in their leadership journey and giving them more responsibility as they prove themselves prepares them to lead and lead well.

Delegation isn’t only good for the team; it transforms you as the leader.

• You get your time back when you stop doing what others can do, allowing you to focus on only what you can do to move the mission forward.
• You lose the weight you were not meant to carry alone. The belief that everything depends on you is exhausting. Delegation reduces stress and renews your sense of purpose as you lead from your strengths.
• You become a more influential leader as you become the leader who develops and empowers other leaders.

Are you ready?

Building leaders is your greatest responsibility. We don’t often think of leadership development until we become concerned about succession, but true leadership development is preparing for growth and impact. Is your organization growing? Is it your plan to grow? If the answer is yes, you need leaders to come alongside you and share the load.

Building leaders is your greatest responsibility.

Start Now: Identify one person with untapped potential, assign them one meaningful task with real ownership, and schedule a regular time to coach and debrief with them.

The greatest leaders are leaders who replicates themselves, multiplying their reach, their impact and their influence. As God calls you to your purpose, make sure you identify those he has called to go with you.

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Lauren Vanaman, CCNL, Executive Director of the Aspire Leadership Foundation, helps leaders increase their influence and empower teams to excel. Before Aspire, she worked alongside Jeff Banning at Trinity Logistics, where they built the leadership development framework that powered Trinity’s rapid growth and award-winning culture.