Saturday, February 25, 2012

Leaders should help others with NOT WORRYing

Conversations recently with biz leaders whose organization(s) were in uncertain times, potential layoffs, mergers, etc - it reminded me of how critical LEADERSHIP is, once again.

NOT WORRYING is a tough concept for all of us, no matter who you are! Leaders have to (and must) deal with this personally as well as for those they lead! In these challenging times with so much hopelessness, bad economy, job loss, organization struggling, disasters here and there, betrayals, people being laid off – WHO or WHAT is next?

It is nearly a daily occurrence to hear from someone close in our lives who has been impacted. It is everywhere, and we’re not supposed to worry?!? Indeed, this is one of the tougher biblical principles we are supposed to follow… YIKES, no DOUBLE YIKES.

As leaders we are really needed by those we lead. As much as we may want to focus & dwell on our own worries, stresses, etc -- your folks need you & your leadership! A few points to share as I have been pondering this much lately:

Be ‘human’ and donot be afraid of letting them see it. When we let others IN, we build trust & strong relationships. Some believe this shows weakness as a leader – that is just wrong. The relationships in our lives makes these times much more palatable – especially when one of those relationships is YOU, their boss!

When we all get thru these times (and we will unless we do not?!?)…and things turn around - this trusting relationship you built WITH THEM will pay huge dividends.

Working relationships between co-workers can become very strained as individuals withdrawal, lack concentration, and/or lash out at others. Leaders should not avoid it or try to pretend it is not there. It is real and everyone feels it. Why not get it out for all to know and realize we are all dealing with it and we (the leader and the rest of the team) are there for each other. It needs to be be dealt with, exposed and curtailed before it gets out of hand. Although we can never be sure of our security (of our jobs) and those that we lead, we need to reassure our people as much as possible; & with the truth as we know it! Yes, they should know what YOU KNOW.

Leaders are often confided in and the suggestion is there to keep it at the upper levels. REAL LEADERS realize this is wrong and unfair. The ones below that you are entrusted with, are trusting you with their lives...


"…Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... O ye of little faith?... Your Heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first His kingdom & righteousness and all these things will be given to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow” MATTHEW 6:25-34

God’s best my friend. Peace, BOOKER

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