Steps to Personal Development: Step DOWN
Over the next few weeks, Monday Meditations will be looking at “Steps to PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT” and the four steps that we, as Corpath members, can take to ensure we move wisely, intentionally and on purpose as the Holy Spirit leads us.
Requirement: Awareness, Honesty, a Successor
We start. We build. We create. We produce. We gain. That’s the way we do things. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we know that all things will come to an end and there will likely come a time when we will (or should) make the decision to step down.
Q: What does “stepping down” mean to you?
When we think about times when people have stepped down from a position, we often think it to be the result of something negative that has happened. It’s not hard to find examples of poor behaviour and illegal activities that resulted in someone being removed from their position. They were forced to “step down” from their responsibilities in order to save the organization from pain or embarrassment.
However, there are also times when leaders have made the decision to step down as a way of strengthening the business. All businesses go through a life cycle of sorts, from start-up to maturity, and leaders are no different.
Likely, when you started your leadership journey, your passion and creativity were off-the-charts. You were committed to your dream and the ideas of how to build your business flowed with a volume that may have been hard to contain. And then, over time, things started to change. The routine set in, and nothing seemed new any longer. Sure, you continued to encounter challenges and problems, but even those seemed to lack the stimulation to propel you in productive ways to keep you, and your business, on the knife’s edge of innovation and growth.
As leaders, it’s imperative that we recognize when this is happening to us. A declining sense of passion, a lack of creative thought, and even outright complacency can be symptoms of something serious. If we are honest with ourselves, we need to intelligently - and humbly - make the decision to step down so others can step up.
I have seen organizations that, even after decades, are still being run by the founder, and in some instances, the founder has no desire to step down from their position. The founder’s position, rooted in ego and maybe a lack of trust in others, stays much longer than needed. They eventually become a heavy and burdensome stone that keeps the organization from moving forward with relevance to today’s marketplace. Sometimes, the founder hasn’t even taken the time to appoint a successor to be trained for their chance to step up.
One of the most interesting examples of leadership development in the Bible centres around the life of Moses. From his original calling from God to his final assignment, and “leadership hand-off”, Moses’ story gives us great insight into the power of “stepping down” as a leader. I wonder what Moses thought (and felt) as he was “stepping down” from his leadership over the Israelites. He was the one responsible for taking them out of bondage, leading them through the wilderness and eventually to the edge of their destination. For over 40 years he was their leader!
Then, in an intimate conversation with God, Moses is informed that his time was coming to an end and someone else was going to get the privilege to take the Israelites into the land that was promised them. Did he (Moses) feel slighted? Did he feel “passed over”? Did he feel “not good enough” as a leader? He wasn’t perfect, but why not him? Couldn’t God overlook his sin just this once so he could accompany the people to their new land? Or maybe he reasoned it differently. Perhaps he felt a bit of relief. After all, his life was a struggle as he led the Israelites through unbelievably tough times. In the end, Moses accepted God’s decision and moved quickly to accept and appoint his successor, Joshua.
Moses led the people and prepared them to take the land, however, he was not the one to lead them there. Joshua received that directive.
In Deuteronomy 31:7, Moses publicly installs Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites and gives him the mandate to take the people into the promised land.
In Joshua 1:1-9, God (the Chairman of the Board of Israel) confirms Joshua’s leadership and makes a covenant with him.
Take some time to read this story in Deuteronomy and Joshua. There is great insight to gleaned in the account of Moses stepping DOWN as Joshua stepped UP.
In yet another example in scripture, we see Jesus stepping down from His earthly ministry position and appointing His disciples to carry on the mission. After His resurrection, He hands over the ministry to them. He encourages them to go and do as He had done and to make more disciples. He tells them He is leaving but will send another (Spirit) that will encourage them and give them power. And, ever since, the faith has been building and growing around the world.
Q: In which parts of your life and business are you aware that “stepping down” will be part of your plan? When do you think that time will come?
Spend some time thinking about how, and when, you will step down as a way of supporting the continuance and growth of your organization. Share your thoughts with your Corpath Forum group. For an interesting perspective on succession planning, watch this short video from RightNow Media, free to you as a Corpath Member:
Prayer:
My Heavenly Father, I thank You for walking with me every day. As I take my steps this week, please show me where I need to step BACK and allow You to prepare me for the moment that I continue to move forward. Give me wisdom to know where You are leading me and the courage to go willingly. Amen.
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this email is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
