Perhaps we can all remember a time when we have been led to water but refused to drink.
I’ve been blessed to spend the last several days with my grandchildren. Orlando is a great place to share with children. I’ve raced to catch up from missing so much of their lives this past year. Kids have a way of not waiting to grow up.
I’ve missed learning from them. The picture above is my oldest grandchild, Kaitlin. We spent time together editing this photo of her leading her horse, Chance. Kaitlin loves horses and riding. She’s also developing her gift to see with the eye of a photographer.
I shared a bit of grandfatherly wisdom about storytelling through photography. We discussed a few possibilities of the story being told by this girl and her horse and a threatening sky. I could see that my stories were not her story but she understood the possibilities.
The story I wish to tell about this picture is about leadership. The relationship of this girl and her horse, though aided by a bridle, is obviously rooted in trust. A storm is churning, but the horse seems peaceful while being led to safety.
The horse is calm because the leader is calm. The leader and her horse have a history of trust-building experiences.
So I wonder if this horse will drink when led to water.
I’m frequently puzzled by work teams who are led to a system of excellence but prefer to remain thirsty.
Coaches and teachers pour their lives into pools of training opportunities. Some students lap up the offerings and show improvement. Other students back away and remain unchanged.
Effective leaders lead their horses to new ponds. Leaders don’t depend upon a bridle to impact their team. The effective leader keeps building trust and continues to offer fresh water.
The team will drink or it won’t.
The leader presses forward to a new pond.
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“Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then has not the health
of the daughter of my people recovered?” (Jer. 8:22, MEV).
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Platform Tip No. 117
While building your platform, be demanding.
People will come to you for your message because they can’t (or won’t) find an answer anywhere else.
Work hard to find YOUR way of offering help to your audience.
Your gift is unique for the audience God sends to you. Don’t settle for common answers and delivery methods.
Demand the work from yourself necessary to craft an excellent message.
