People, People, People

I’m someone who is in a leadership position, but that doesn’t mean I’m a good leader. I’m striving to become a better leader by learning from those who have gone before me and by investing in myself through resources like podcasts and books.

With that said, something has recently come to my attention which I’ve been failing at and here it is: Too many times I’ve forgotten that leadership and ministry is about people. I rush into work or “ministry,” as we so many times call it, and completely blow off people that I work with in order to accomplish a certain mission or task. I’m busy. I have a lot on my plate. I don’t have time for a meaningless conversation. “I seriously don’t have time to pray for that person God, c’mon. Seriously? You want me to pray for them? Right now?” This is not the right attitude. Besides, what would be the point of ministry if there was no people?

I’m currently reading John Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership. In it he shares a story about a guy who’s very similar to me:

Dan Reiland, who was my right-hand man for many years, is an excellent leader and values people highly. But when he first came to work for me, he didn’t show it. One day when he was new on the job, I was chatting with some people in the lobby, and Dan came in, briefcase in hand. Dan walked right past all of us without saying a word and went straight down the hall toward his office. I was astounded. How could a leader walk right by a group of people he worked with and not even say hello to them? I quickly excused myself from the conversation I was having and followed Dan to his office.

“Dan,” I asked after greeting him, “how could you walk right past everybody like that?”

“I’ve got a lot of work to do today,” Dan answered, “and really want to get started.”

“Dan,” I said, “you just walked past your work. Never forget that leadership is about people.”

Leadership is about people. Church is about people. Life is about people. I’m gonna work harder at remembering this.