You are a leader. You know you need to focus on your strengths and delegate your weaknesses. As you probably know, a weakness isn’t just something you aren’t good at. It’s something you feel weaker after doing. I can do construction but it drains me, so I hire it out and focus on teaching.
However, there are some things you just can’t delegate. I don’t like to write books, but only I can write my own words. I hate working out, but no one else can make me buff. Sometimes you have to do things you’re weak at because only you can do them. The harder you try, the more you will want to quit. Most people do. If you choose to quit it will cost you, but if you keep going you will start to experience burnout. So, what do you do with a weakness you can’t delegate?
Doing Hard Things With Others Makes Them Easier
When it comes to working out, I pick a friend to do it with me. The fact that I have someone meeting me at the gym each morning keeps me getting out of bed. Secondly, the time flies by. Lastly, I naturally find myself discipling the man I work out with. It’s win-win.
When it comes to writing books, I work with some of my editors in person on the areas where I’m stuck. We laugh a lot, and I get cool ideas from them while doing it.
There is something about working with another in my weakness that gives me the strength I need.
That just may be why Jesus sent his disciples out in twos. He was God in the flesh, and knew that peeps work better together. That’s why the early church did life together, because God created us to be our best in the context of working with others. When you embrace that as a life principle, you’ll be a more effective leader. Those around you will grow faster because they get to spend time with you, and as you spend time together you will naturally process life together. I hired a college student to help me paint my house one summer. It had such an impact that he calls me every Father’s Day to thank me.
The Hard Questions
What are the weaknesses you need to delegate? Are you actually delegating them or are you being a poor leader? As Andy Stanley says, “Leadership isn’t getting the right things done. It’s getting the right things done through other people.” Make a list of things you need to delegate, and delegate them. Secondly, what are the areas of weakness in your life that you can’t delegate? Who could you invite to do them with you?
I always look for someone that I have fun with because I find myself feeding off of their energy. Also, don’t start by inviting someone to help you for an indefinite period. What if it doesn’t work out? For example, if you are like me and need help with writing, then find someone fun and invite them to help you with one project. If things don’t work out, then the obligation ends with the project. If they were really helpful, invite them to do it again. Let the relationship emerge naturally.
What do you think would happen if you wrote someone an email right now, and invited them to work with you for a few hours? It might just change their life and yours.
