Leadership Tips
Dear LWML Leaders,
Welcome back to Tips for Leading with Confidence. We pray this leadership tip will be beneficial as you serve our Lord through the LWML. We welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Roots and Wings
Journalist William Hodding Carter wrote, “There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other is wings.”
In a sense, adults being trained in leadership are the same. We must demonstrate faith in those we lead so that they learn to have faith in themselves. When new leaders know you believe in them and you provide encouragement and support, they have a chance to grow in their roles. When you let them know you believe in them, you're watering that seed, encouraging root growth, and essentially giving it a chance to grow.
Have you noticed how people generally rise or fall in accordance with your level of expectation? When you overly criticize others, they tend to become negative, self-doubting, and fearful. But when you believe in them and assume they will do well, they’ll go the extra mile by trying to live up to your expectations. It’s your faith in them that creates the environment in which they learn to fly!
Encourage their faith in God and in themselves, and chances are they’ll excel at whatever task they are given.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).
Adapted from Daily Devotions, Lutheran Church Charities, Tim Hetzner, President/CEO and author, used by permission; giving glory to God!
God's Blessings,
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Leadership Development Committee
LWML 2019–2021 Leadership Development Committee
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory
