It's time to get back to our Servant Leadership series. This week we are looking at "Be Present"
From James Autry's book:
"Being present is not just being here or there, but having your whole self available at all times - available to yourself as you try to bring all your values to bear on the work at hand, and available to others as you respond to the problems and issues and challenges of team members, colleagues, managers, employees, vendors, and customers...
When others see you remaining centered and grounded in the midst of whatever perceived crisis is at hand - and there is usually one crisis on a regular bases in most workplaces - they will be more assured and confident in their own actions. Conversely, when they see you agitated, worried, stressed, short-tempered, and distracted, then they become the same way, only worse because they're worried that you might take it (whatever IT is) out on them. So be present."
This is the way of being I struggle with the most. About 4 years ago I had a harsh lesson in the importance of being present as a servant leader that I will never forget. My career was moving a mile a minute and I got really focused on the busyness of it all. I was traveling all the time and working hard to show everyone I could that I deserved the promotion. When asked to jump, I would already be jumping and in return ask, "is this high enough". While I was adding value to my company and going above and beyond what was asked of me, I had forgotten the importance of being present with the people who were working so hard to afford me the opportunity to be on the go so much--the partners at my store.
One of the managers on my team arrived at work and said, "I got you a present--something that reminded me of you!". I was a little surprised and asked her what it was. Out of her bag she pulled a sticker and presented it to me. The sticker read, "I am busy right now, can I ignore you later?" WOW-talk about a punch in the stomach!
That sticker sits on my desk to this day to remind me that no matter how busy I may be, I need to be present with the people who matter the most and are working hard for me everyday.
Until next week.
Posted by Tyler Drewitz
Ministry Development
