Speak Up

We are all affected by words spoken to us. How we react depends greatly on who is doing the speaking. If it is a complete stranger it will probably not have as great of an impact. On the other hand, if we are close to the person their words will carry more weight. If this is an individual that we respect, we will listen more carefully even if what they share is very difficult to hear.

This should be an active part of our path to maturity as we seek out wise counsel and invite others to be part of our life's journey. We need to develop trusting relationships with people and then give them the freedom to speak into our lives. This is not always an easy process and it certainly doesn't happen quickly. Instead, we build this level of helpful communication through shared lives and the willingness to work through easy and difficult trials. In a mutual relationship this is one of the most beneficial pieces of personal growth.

To whom do you give freedom to speak into your life? How have they earned that right over time?

Lifelong Coach

I saw a segment on ESPN today that highlighted Mike Krzyzewski, head coach of the Duke
University Blue Devils and the USA men's national team. There were four sports journalists talking about his career and influence and three of them were former players of his. I have great respect for Coach K, but was left with more appreciation for his character and leadership after listening to his proteges. There were several leadership principles that he obviously practices and should be applied by compassionate leaders as well.

He always wants his players to be better.
This wasn't just geared towards better athletic performance, but in being a better person overall. Being a better person makes you a better teammate and overall contributor.

He never stops coaching you.
One of his players said that even though it had been over 30 years since he had played basketball for him, he was still coaching him in life decisions and character development. This shows genuine compassion for the long haul and not just for immediate results.

He wouldn't tell us what to do, but would ask you the right question to get you to think.
The most effective leader will help you discover the best path as you discover more about yourself.

He's not just about basketball, but is about developing people.
Coach K understands that basketball can help to teach life lessons and shape our character more than just teach us how to play a game. A career as a basketball player will eventually come to an end, but the lessons learned will carry on throughout the rest of life.

His players would do anything he asked them to do because they trust him.
Effective leaders have committed followers because of the level of trust they have established with each other. Earning complete trust comes through consistent servant leadership and a belief that the leader is invested in you and not just what you can produce.

One At a Time

Systems are good. They are helpful in making sure that everyone knows their responsibility, the organizational philosophy, and expressing clear expectations. Successful sports teams have systems of coaching and player development that have proven to be beneficial for individuals and organizations. Thriving companies have well-established best practices with proven track records. The key factor in working with a system however, is to remember that each person is different.

When you are expecting a certain system of processing to work with a diverse group of people in the exact same way, you are eliminating the variable of individuality. Every athlete will not respond to the same type of coaching. Each student will not grasp educational concepts when they are only taught in one manner. Children will not respond to messages from their parents in exactly the same way. Employees are not motivated to grow with the same techniques. While the principles behind a system can be valid for everyone, the delivery method has to be crafted to meet individual needs. We can point to large numbers of people that have successfully been impacted and developed, but the most important number in any system is still the number "1". It represents one specific person with their own unique personality, experiences, learning style, and heredity.

Don't devalue the power of "1" when you are leading, training, coaching, or parenting. Keep the important truths in mind, but be adjustable enough to reach out in a specific way that matters to each person. It shows honor to who they are and reveals the depth of your concern for their individuality.