If you are a leader, you are a “go to.” Maybe you are the “go to” for your church, your team or your organization. People go to you for answers, for direction, for help, for care and for spiritual support. Without question, your role as the “go to” is incredibly important in these crazy days.
I heard a great question recently. “Who does the ‘go to’ go to?”
It isn’t easy being the “go to” in difficult seasons. It can be hard to provide answers when everything is changing. It can be hard to provide direction in the midst of chaos and conflict. It can be hard to help and care for others when you are tired and just trying to get by yourself.
So let’s get back to that great question. Who does the “go to” go to? In other words, who do you, the leader, go to for answers, for direction, for help, for care and spiritual support? After all, you need these same things that others seek from you.
Who do you, the leader, go to for answers, for direction, for help, for care and spiritual support? After all, you need these same things that others seek from you. Share on XLeadership is extra hard right now. Leadership is extra lonely right now. Leadership is extra tiring right now. You can’t just put your head down and keep going on your own, especially since this is a marathon not a sprint. So who do you go to?
Let me share five people and places you can go to.
1. Go to God – It’s tempting to believe that nobody understands, nobody cares and nobody can help. Those nobody beliefs are big nasty lies. Of all the people who have walked this earth, Jesus understands. Jesus cares. Jesus can help. Reach out to him. Keep prioritizing time in God’s Word and prayer. Maintain a regular rhythm of pulling away to be with, listen to, abide in and enjoy Jesus. You are created for this. You need him. Jesus’ invitation is “Come to me…” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Of all the people who have walked this earth, Jesus understands. Jesus cares. Jesus can help. Share on X2. Go to Team – You can’t sustainably be the only “go to.” It’s neither biblical nor healthy. Especially in this season, the weight is too much, and the timeframe is too long. If you have a board, invite them to pray, to encourage, to intentionally care and to help where needed. Invite your team to regularly check in and share the stressors and challenges they are navigating at work and home right now. Now isn’t the time to isolate and operate in silos. Now is the time to be functioning as a body and team that cares for, prays for, encourages and serves one another.
Now is the time to be functioning as a body and team that cares for, prays for, encourages and serves one another. Share on X3. Go to Peers – Cultivating “safe but not soft” spaces with peers outside your work context can be incredibly helpful. Identify two or more peers and commit to meeting an hour or two per month. Start off by checking in with one another. Ask these six questions: How are you really doing? What can you celebrate right now? What are you learning? What are you grieving? What’s hard? How can we pray? Then pray.
4. Go to Professionals – Sometimes it is wise and good stewardship to engage professionals who are specialists. A spiritual director can help you listen to God. A counselor can help you process and cope. A doctor can monitor physical and mental health. A coach can help you find solutions and determine next steps. A consultant can help move projects forward. Should one of these professionals be part of your “go to” team?
5. Go to Arrow Leadership – We are here for you! Walking alongside you is our calling. Send me a prayer request, and I will pray: president@arrowleadership.org. We do one-to-one hourly coaching . We have free tools you can download. You can book a one-time Leadership Tune-Up. We provide ZOOM workshops or consulting. You can take a deep dive in our yearlong Arrow Leadership Program™ (with virtual classes). We can help you find resources and professionals you need. Check out our refreshed website to see what we offer: www.arrowleadership.org.
You may be the “go to” for many, but you need people and places to go to also. Solo and silos won’t work. Which of these people and places should you add to your go-to team?
Cheering you on!
Dr. Steve A. Brown
President, Arrow Leadership