Leadership Lessons - Turtle on a Fence Post

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From James Dodwell - Hammers of Hope
  

Good Morning,

If you never do anything then how will you know when you’re finished? I heard this said several years ago and I ponder its meaning, often. I think about it this way, “If you never do anything, then you are finished.” After all, you need a beginning to have and end, for every up there is a down, for every go there is a stop, for every no there is a might be a yes, and for every for every hate there must be love to circumvent the negative aspect to provide a positive outcome. Another thought is that being finished doesn’t necessarily equate to being complete. There are some things I want to complete but I am finished long before I reach the point of completion. I am either done with it physically or mentally or I just don’t have the skills to bring it home. What then shall I do?

The answer: “Ask for assistance” from someone who has the skills and abilities to finish or complete the task, because there is no shame in not knowing how to do something, or to ask for help. Although in our world today, it seems to communicate a sign of weakness when we ask for assistance of which, sad to say, most of us harbor these feelings within because we are a product of these modern times. Althea Gibson Darben wrote, “No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you.”  Think about it, nothing we have done or accomplished has been us alone. Somewhere along the way, someone has lifted us, offered advice, assistance, laughed with us, cried with us and gently pushed us along to get where we are today.

During one interview, retired General Colin Powell was asked about a picture on the wall behind his desk. It was a picture of a turtle placed on the top of a fence post. He stated, “Every time I look at the picture I understand the turtle had help to get to the top of the post, because turtles don’t climb fence posts.” Leaders understand we can’t do anything alone. Leaders surround themselves with people who have various skills and abilities and teach them to work together; using the strengths of others to off-set their weaknesses.

True leaders use their love for people to connect the talents and abilities of each team member to each other thus forming a strong, unified group of individuals moving and working together toward the same vision and goals. A true leader knows to connect with people they must show them the care for them. Why, because love is the highest motivation for a leader to connect with people. If you don’t love them, don’t try to lead them. For others to follow, they need to see qualities in the leader they feel are lacking in their lives. The spiritual leader offers their followers unconditional love and strong relationship opportunities that build trust and confidence within the individual and ultimately the team.

A spiritual leader assumes responsibility for the health and development of his or her relationships. We do this by getting back to the basics. First, as leaders of people, we must love the Lord and display this love in everything we do. Our conversation, our actions, our reactions all define who we are and what we believe and hold true. As leaders, we must love the truth. Honesty in life, honesty in our walk, honesty in our words is the glue that binds others to us. As leaders, we must love our calling. We can’t lead if we don’t believe in what we do. Our calling, our gift is what motivates us to do what is right and true and is the motivator for others to find their way.

As leaders, we must love the people. People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. This is so true. Many times we fail in this category of Relationship 101. We tend to think because we show up every day others know how we feel, but people, yes, even us as leaders, need reassurance from time to time by letting others know they are loved and needed. We as leaders need to walk among the people, our followers, talk to them, share our passion for life with them, show a more personal side on occasions, and let them know we care.

I encourage each of us to be the change we want to see in the world. Be the person we would like to be following. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It will make a difference and add value to others and to us. 1 John 2:7-11