Capacity & Capability: Tensions of Leadership
“I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!” -3 John 2 (MSG)
Why do we do so much? Is it to satisfy the need to feel needed? To show others that we can do the things they expect? This verse shows us that caring about health and your soul is as important to pray and care for as what you do. This is very counter-cultural.
One thing I’ve noticed about leaders, especially when people first meet, it’s always the question, “What do you do for a living?” or in the church world, “How many go to your church?” I don’t think I’ve ever heard “How do you avoid burnout?” or “How do you delegate and empower more?”
The thought that we have the ability to do something doesn’t mean that we have to be doing it. Some leaders like holding onto things because they want to feel needed or don’t trust others around them to do it to their level. This level of holding onto things slows the effectiveness of the company down and stunts the growth of your team. This rule below is a great resource for those of you leading people.
The 70% Rule
“Smart CEOs, on the other hand, use the “70% Rule.” Put simply, if the person the CEO would like to do the task is able to do the task at least 70% as well as they can – they should delegate it. Is it frustrating that the task won’t be done with the same level of perfection or perceived perfection that they could achieve? Sure! Let Go of Perfection. It’s easier said than done? Yes, certainly. But there is no place for perfection when it comes to delegation. The upside is the CEOs don’t need to spend any time on the task – zero! The “return on time” they don’t spend on that task is infinite, plus they gain that same time to invest in a higher impact project.
Part of the delegation process involves documenting what you, as CEO, want to accomplish and then transferring the knowledge needed for your team members to get it done. Then it’s time for perhaps the most difficult part of delegation — letting go and trusting that your team members will take the ball and run with it. This requires an understanding that they may do it in a way completely different from how you would do it. In order to let go of perfection, you need to decide what’s more important to you: having the work completed to “perfection” (the way you would do it), or having it completed successfully in a different way. You may even be surprised to find that when you give your team members a little leeway, they discover new — and better — ways to do things.”
One way this has applied for me was in an area I was very passionate about. It was the area of worship ministry here at Watermarks. It was something I did on the side, in my spare time. This passion eventually led me to be here every weekend, leading for some group, and it was great, until it wasn’t anymore. What I had the ability to do at one point was not working anymore. This was something I had to let go of, due to my increased role at Watermarks, me getting married and just needing a life outside of work in general. I had to let go of something I was passionate about and I’ve seen all the fruit of my decision come out in short and long term ways. Spreading myself too thin killed my passion. The question I really had to ponder was, “Can I do this for the next 30 years in a healthy way?” I answered no of course, and then knew I had to make some changes. Longevity is a word I never considered until that moment, but has saved me from burnout, frustration and running this to the ground along with myself. I challenge you today, ask the question, “Can I do this for the long haul? Do I want to do this for the long haul?” Then based on your answer go from there and start the process of moving things around. It doesn’t have to be a instant shift of things, but a gradual move to get you to a point on longevity.
I’ve found that worship at camp hasn’t really missed a beat and enabled other bands and leaders to have a shot at doing it, and they’re doing it really well! I’m able to have down time with my wife, more time to dream into Watermarks and really do what only I can do around here. It’s been so freeing! I encourage you today to look around at the ones you’re leading and evaluate how good you are at delegating, giving and sharing opportunities with others, it might just save your life.
A good leader creates capacity and raises the ceiling for their team to grow. A bad leader holds the lid down on their team and pushes their capacity to maximum all the time. Good, healthy leaders have a low stress level more often than not, they’re emotionally together, not bound by the circumstance. Their to do list is not larger than their check on list. They have room for managing and encouraging their team instead of pushing through tasks all day. An unhealthy leader is stretched to the max, stressed out, and always has to outwork his team and boast about it.
“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” – Mohandas K. Gandhi
“Take a rest. A field that has rested yields a beautiful crop.” – Ovid
“It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?” – Henry David Thoreau
SIMPLE TAKEAWAY
Just because I can do something, doesn’t mean that I need to do it.
Questions to Ponder:
How do I care for my soul?
What am I doing that I need to release?
What am I doing that I need to stop doing?
What do I hate doing that I once was passionate about?
How can I free up my mind and soul to cultivate more passion and growth?
Can I keep doing this thing for the next 30 years sustainably?