Cheri showed me, too many times, how to reconcile the cash register at the end of the day. I didn’t get it! Was I just dumb? I was relieved to discover that intelligence wasn’t the issue. Style was.
I needed a different teacher – one with a slightly different approach to the same task; one with a more phlegmatic personality. Was Cheri wrong? No. The way she showed me just didn’t click. Craig showed me once and it all made sense. My confidence and skills grew quickly. In hindsight, I suspect Cheri was a visual learner. And I’ve since learned that I’m a hands-on person. Telling me or showing me steals every ounce of confidence I possess. I just don’t get it. Craig’s leadership style, neither right nor wrong, better suited my personality.
I’ve been reconciling cash registers, now, for 30 years. It’s a job I particularly enjoy. One that gives me great satisfaction when it comes out to the penny.
Boss Andrea was tremendously fun to work with, yet her expectations overwhelmed me and made me feel unappreciated. Not because I couldn’t complete the tasks; I just couldn’t complete them all at once. Before I’d barely started one assignment, she gave me two more.
Boss Kimberly, seeing a backlog of work, told me to do the best I could but not to worry about what I didn’t get done. Who did I work harder for? Kimberly. I hoped to surprise her, to give her a day less buried with work than she expected. My team members expressed their increased motivation to please her. They, too, felt appreciated.
That being said, there are people who would take advantage of no clear set goals. They’d give themselves permission to surf the web, manicure their nails, or whatever.
What type of leader do you need? Who are you most likely to follow? Is it your responsibility to “Follow the Leader,” no matter what her style tendencies are? Or is it your leader’s responsibility to determine what motivates you and lead accordingly?
Who are your leaders? Parents—Teachers—Spouses—Pastors—Bosses—Committee Leaders?
Please share your thoughts and experiences.
As Always – Growing,
Lonnie
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I definitely believe that it is both the leader's and the follower's responsibilities to come toward each other in relationship to get things accomplished. I suppose it's like any other relationship. If the leader pays no attention to the follower's perspective and needs, he or she gains a passive,unproductive follower. If the follower does not attempt to see the situation as the leader does, the follower becomes the enemy of the leader and will be unable, with good conscience, "get on the bus." That follower will become a derisive complainer. Even if that follower tried to be loyal to their leader, he or she would have to be constantly on-guard for danger of gossip or slander. That's exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI believe people have similar situations as yours with Jesus. Some view Him as constantly giving us tasks until there is no hope to get them all done and therefore no hope to please Him. Without so much as a "thank you" or an "I understand," He piles on the tasks. Others have a more mercy-filled view of Jesus. He is the one that gives tasks, yes, but says "please try" and "I'll take care of what you can't do". Perspective helps in this relationship specifically because Jesus is the only person who can lead each of us perfectly, so perspective we must have.
Boy is it a relief when one is under right leadership! And when I say "right," I mean "compatible." How life-giving, and life-growing!
Stacy, thank you for your great insights! I'm guessing there is a little experience behind your comments and a love of Jesus, too.
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