“Effective leaders do more than call on people to perform a given task out of duty or responsibility, though there’s a place for duty and responsibility. They know that people are more than cogs in a wheel or numbers on a stat sheet. They know that meaning moves people. Effective leaders help people understand the why behind the what, where, how, and when.” Daniel Allen Jr from Summoned: Stepping Up to Live and Lead with Jesus
Managers provide the “what.” They tell us what needs to be done. Managers also tells us the where, how, and when of the job. These are good and important things for every organization. Our people have to know the what, where, how, and when. These provide the guidelines for how the organization operates.
Leaders provide the “why.” The “why” gives meaning to everything that we do. If we don’t understand why we are doing what we are doing, we don’t really understand the mission of the organization. Everyone should know the mission if we expect to be successful. From the CEO or the Senior Pastor to the entry level new hire or the newest volunteer, everyone should understand the “why” so they can be a part of fulfilling the mission.
As a leader, the “why” should be a part of every email, conversation, and team meeting that you have. Communicating the “why” is something we should never tire of doing. Every member of our organization should hear the “why” on a regular basis so that it is ingrained in their thinking and provides the basis for their motivation.
Do you understand the “why” of your job? If you are a leader, do you communicate the “why” to your team?
David and Annie are serving the Lord in the US, Africa, India, South America, and beyond. They are training leaders and investing heavily in the next generation of leaders. You can be a part of their team. Just click here to get involved. Thanks so much!
