You Haven’t Reached Your Full Potential

My trip to Tampa was uneventful for the most part, other than the rain both going and coming.  I must admit I was dreading the trip just a little bit, because I’d set some limitations on myself when it came to driving.  For the longest (pre-COVID), I’d set a limit on the distance I’d drive based on the time in the car – 4 hours.  So, anytime a place was more than 4 hours away, I’d just fly.  Well, of course, COVID changed all that.  So the 6 ½ hour drive to Tampa was a bit more than I was looking forward to, but I made it just fine.  My first stay in a hotel since COVID, was straight forward and surprisingly pleasant. I was able to remain socially distant from others in the hotel – took the stairs to avoid being in elevators and ordered food which I could store or heat in the hotel room kitchen.  I followed all the protocols, because obedience is better than sacrifice.  I can’t prevent getting sick, but I can sure do my part to prevent exposure.  Great is the faithfulness of God. 

So, I went to Tampa to evaluate and advise a group of managers, but I ended up learning more about myself.  At work, as a senior leader in my organization, one of my jobs is to remove obstacles and provide feedback and guidance to subordinate managers for addressing issues.  In this case, that meant talking to lots of employees and evaluating what they said and didn’t say.  After listening to them all week and providing feedback and some actionable tasks to address some gaps we identified, I realized that God has been developing in me the ability to evaluate leadership skills on an individual basis.  Who knew?  

I’ve always loved teaching people new things and giving guidance and being a compassionate ear, while still providing constructive feedback to move people in a positive direction.  What I didn’t realize was where God was leading?  I mean, I still have lots to learn about leadership, but I was able to help these managers understand how they might be perceived and some actions they could take (if they chose to do the work) to counter them.  

I’ve learned that many times, we have blind spots to our own weaknesses while the weaknesses of others are amplified in our eyes (Matt 7:5).  That’s what happens when we’re not self-aware.  You will think you’ve arrived or that you’ve reached your full potential or that you’re better than sliced bread and no matter how good we are, we could always be better – sometime much better.  There is always room to grow and learn and unless we’re willing to accept some uncomfortable feedback at times on who we are and our behaviors, we’ll keep doing the same thing which could be detrimental to us and to others.  We have to set aside our ego and be willing to see what others see.  We are not perfect and we have to accept that people see who and what we are.  A tree is known by the fruit it bears (Luke 6:43-45).  

Seeking God first and working to emulate Christ will take care of many of our failings.  The more we focus on Him and do what He says, the more we look like Him.  If you want to be successful as a leader, follow Jesus’ example.  He was the best leader who ever lived.  He loved His disciples and ensured they were provided for.  He provided clear instructions to them, but left it to them to follow.  When they didn’t, he gently rebuked them and held them accountable.  He served them and showed them how to serve others.  Jesus lived the life He talked about.  He was consistent.  He was direct.  He was honest.   He showed them how to live, even though He was only physically with them a short time.  

Are you a leader?  Do you want to leave a lasting legacy?  Have you faced your own weaknesses and put actions in place to minimize them?  Have you asked God to reveal those things that you need to address or leave behind? Or those things you need to learn and work toward?  Have you asked a group of trusted people to provide you real honest feedback that will make you better?  If you haven’t sought any feedback in the past or really evaluated yourself, I challenge you to do so.  If you want to be the best you can be and move closer to your full potential, seek self-awareness and do the necessary work.  You may be surprised at what God will do in you.  Remember, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or think.