Go Large: Think People Before Resources
Discouragement is easy. Igniting fires takes wisdom and work.
Success always begins with who before what.
Kindling great fires:
Small before large.
Stop waiting for explosive fires. Start small ones now!
Explosive opportunities require extensive resources. Leaders, who refuse to start small, whine about lack of resources. Waiting for what could be destroys what can be now.
Every great movement began with people.
Resources and programs matter, but people matter more.
Never allow dreams of dramatic results to seduce from current people-opportunities.
Passion before talent.
One passionate person excels fifty talented wet logs.
Every organization has cold wet logs in it. It doesn’t matter what you do, they’ll never ignite. Ignoring wet logs extends their negative influence.
Provide time to adopt,
but create a get-in-or-get-out culture.
How much engagement is enough? Progress – forward movement – is enough. Fence straddling and resistance are unacceptable.
The best thing to do with content wet logs is toss them out.
Find dry kindling.
Start small fires.
Don’t waste time igniting wet logs.
Look for:
- Underutilized people. Give permission – show paths – provide opportunities – fan embers.
- Frustrated participants, but willing to try.
- Eager contributors looking for positive impact. Never marginalize passionate people with “dumb” ideas.
- Skills, aptitudes, or knowledge that applies. They don’t need to know everything but they need to know something.
- Humble spirits willing to learn. Know-it-alls are useless, demotivating wet logs.
- Enough ego to believe they could make a difference.
- Ready to show up.
- Willing to dedicate time and energy.
- Prepared to say no to conflicting opportunities.
- Belief in the mission.
Go large by thinking people before resources. It’s easy to douse flames. Successful leaders kindle fires. Your future is about people not projects.
Check out the great list of leadership K’s on the Leadership Freak Facebook Page. While you’re there, add leadership L’s for tomorrow’s post.
Who kindled your fire?
How can leaders ignite others?
Great stuff Dan, like number 3! Yeah I think I am eager and passionate!!!!!!!!! WHY?
My “K” word contribution is Kakorraphiophobia!!!!! Mouthful huh?
Try saying it 5 times real fast, backwards, drunk!!!!!!!!!
I would have before my recovery started 29 years ago. Now just got to giggle wondering how silly I would have sounded.
My “K” word means fear of failure.
I am more afraid of failing the 7 out of 10 folks who work in America than I am of if people who can make a difference for them like me for continuing to present the facts.
Way WE been doing it 70% failing, the way Barry Wehmiller does it 72% winning. Seems pretty simple, don’t it?
If I keep it up one day, maybe what I am up to will benefit ONE person. If that happens and they commit, they might continue till they help one person, then over time, inspiring one person at a time will change the world.
Maybe today is the day? Maybe today is the day ONE person who reads this blog will say ENOUGH, I am gonna watch Bob Chapman Defining Moments and see just what in the world this guy is so passionate about.
Yeah maybe today is the day?
I am not afraid of failing, I do that everyday, I am afraid of not trying.
SP OUT
Your statement, “Waiting for what could be destroys what can be now” hits the nail on the head. Most people atrophy while waiting for the “big one” opportunity to come along. A wise man once told me, “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can … and the rest will take care of itself.” When I actually heed that advice (I’m only human), I find it provides incredible dividends.
Good one….for me right now… when the student is willing the teacher appears! Thanks for being a teacher to me today… and thanks to me for being a willing student 🙂
I loved it. It is always good to start small and grow big because starting small gives you that robust pedestal. Leaders who are trying to reach the pinnacle within short period of time are heading for Limbo. He or she is not just heading for Limbo, but the relationship between you and your followers is going to be rancorous. A leader looking for an explosive opportunity instantly is detrimental and strenuous on the dearth available resources. Good leaders always achieve their goals through sequential approach rather than explosive means.
Good info, as always. I can solve and act quickly, but I also often fall in to the category of “can’t do it until I have all the right tools.” About 50/50. I must stand in defense (or should I say as devil’s advocate) of know-it-alls, too. It’s often *easier* to join the crowd and criticize those who claim to know more, than it is to hurt the feelings of those who don’t know enough. Being humble and wanting to learn is fantastic, but why marginalize those who might be legitimately (if annoyingly) ahead of the curve? Mentor everyone and teach everyone to value and uplift everyone else, annoying or not.
The guy who married my wife and I kindled my fire…enough to convince me to go into ministry. I love the illustration of the wet logs and agree that they are useless…..mostly! If I could add to that illustration and make the arguement that people in our churches who have deep hurts from past church wounds are also wet logs. With the right environment, however, these ‘logs’ can be dried out (healed) and used for powerful kingdom work in our church. Great post.
Fantastic stuff Dan, like your blog.
STOP SENDING ME EMAILS
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I’m lovin this! I’m a new fan, thanks for fueling me up with new perspective!
Rightly said Dan…its passion that drives (firing on all cylinders) one to achieve his goal…have been trying to tell many about this concept but the idea is not accepted…they accept to work with the head not with emotion…
Loved this