The Characteristic of Commitment
One of the key characteristics of servant leadership is commitment. Commitment means being focused on helping others grow in both business skills and in their faith. When we fail to invest in the growth of others, we waste the opportunities of leadership that God has placed before us.
Start with the small things. If we want to take on significant, high-stakes responsibilities we must start with the simple tasks and proper handling of minute details. Gaining responsibility starts with demonstrating that you are capable of handling the little things first. As they say, patience is a virtue, and it can be a frustrating situation when you feel ready for the big commitments but need to master the small ones first. Channel those feelings into committing to do your best in every situation that the Lord places you in. He has you there for a purpose.
Temptation lies in always wishing for what is next or what we don’t have at the present moment. Try to be committed to doing the best in your current position. Fully dedicating your energy and motivation to the responsibilities on your plate is valuable because you will develop skills that will help as you take on larger commitments down the road. And you will show others that you can be counted on to do the best job with a great attitude, no matter the situation.
A few tips that I recommend focusing on when committing to your current position are:
Openly seek advice from co-workers and superiors
Commit to filling in the gaps of your experience
Remain focused on doing the best job you can in the position you have
Learn everything you can about your current job, as well as the one you aspire to
Be coachable and willing to change by putting what people tell you into action. Nothing will destroy your career’s chances for upward mobility faster than not being coachable.
Do not be afraid to venture into new territory at your company. Provide future leaders with a wide range of experiences so they can continue to develop and navigate what their future careers may look like. I believe leaders grow when they are moved into different roles within the company for a period of time that is different from what they have previously experienced, as it broadens their perspective and range of experiences.
Committing also means hanging in there when the going gets tough. When you accept responsibility, you are committing to a challenge. Have faith that you are capable and prepared for your role. We have the tendency to shy away when roadblocks or tough times come our way but when we commit, we need to persevere through the difficulties as they create opportunities for building strength and showing ourselves and others that we can be counted on to persevere.
Be aware of the commitments you are making to keep your word and put your best effort forward in all situations. Remember, God has you in a specific place for His purpose and we should commit to living for Him.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” -- Colossians 3:23
(If you have found this helpful, you might want to check out my new book, Management Waste, available in print, e-book, and audiobook, at www.larryodonnell.com or Amazon. All profits go to charity).