Sunday Lessons

Yesterday morning as I was driving in for services at Cross Point, I was anticipating the day and how I could best support the team.  I was wrestling with my own insecurities and feelings of inadequacy and desperately longing for some affirmation.  The kicker is that my role is not one that gets a lot of public praise.  As Executive Director I spend much of my time directing and managing behind the scenes.

While I was thinking through that jumbled mess of thought and emotion, I tweeted this thought:

“Sometimes what you think you need the most from others is actually what you most need to give.”

I’m wired to be a critic.  That’s my natural bent.  It tends to make me very good at some key parts of my job, but if I’m not careful it can make me a very poor leader.

As I was wrestling with my own need for affirmation, I was convicted that it is not something I naturally shower on others.  I was really challenged by how much I need to grow in this area.

So my Sunday lesson this week was to add “Executive Affirmer” to my job description.

What part of your job do you have to work hard to be better at?

 

 

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  • Ron Edmondson June 27, 2011  

    I need to get better at communicating. I expect a lot…throw out a lot of ideas…push people to get better and bigger…but I realize I don’t do a great job of communicating what’s most important and it’s frustrating to people at times.  

    Thanks for being an honest leader.

    • Anonymous June 28, 2011  

      I understand that one too. Thanks for chiming in, Ron!

  • Miranda June 27, 2011  

    Jenni Lou! Thank you taking time to encourage me today! You were a definite “Executive Affirmer!”  You constantly challenge us as a staff and me personally. You are gifted in many areas, driven, you follow through on things and meet goals! And you are beautiful too! 🙂

    • Anonymous June 28, 2011  

      Thanks Miranda! You know I’m so proud of you!

  • Jeff Goins June 28, 2011  

    I like that thought a lot.

  • turner_bethany July 1, 2011  

    This is such a great reminder. I too struggle with the encouragement part. I am task oriented and very self motivated, so I have to remind myself that I do work with people who might not be like that, and they need encouragement.