Leadership Journal #1

I used to want to be a leader so badly and as I continue to learn and grow my perspective shifts. Leadership is a big responsibility, but it is usually only something that people can understand once they’ve done it. Or at least that’s what it was like for me. I remember getting ready to step into what was the biggest leadership role I’ve had yet last year and realizing what I had gotten myself into. In the few opportunities I’ve had to lead, I’ve been misunderstood a lot. I don’t think that a leader has a right to be understood, but a responsibility to understand those they lead. Perchance those they lead will understand them, but what we communicate doesn’t matter if it’s not received. In YWAM, being visionary is our 5th value. How we communicate vision and facilitate an opportunity for each person we’re working with to find their place in the vision makes all the difference. I am by every measure, a young leader and have many years to go before that will change. It’s been incredibly hard and challenging for me to take on these opportunities of leadership, but I really can say that the experience to engage and learn about effective leadership is something I cherish.

In the couple seasons of leadership I’ve had, I have come to realize that I was trying to get people to understand me, however, that’s not a right I have as a leader. It is something I can grow in as I communicate the outcomes and objectives we are all working toward together, and the result may be that I do get understood. But more than anything, I have learned that people who feel understood by their leaders are far more likely to step in and step out toward the outcomes of the vision. Continually clarifying and creating very practical steps toward outcomes is one part of leadership, another part is understanding and walking with your team. An understood team is a unified team and a unified team can accomplish anything.