The razor blade is sharp, but can’t cut a tree. The axe is strong, but can’t cut hair. Everyone is important according to his or her own unique purpose! Never look down on anyone unless you are admiring their shoes.
Unknown.
Just today, someone I know reached out with a video showing me the work of one of their colleagues.
It was NOT good.
In the video, as they described the poor work that had been done, they indicated that it was NOT that they weren’t a good leader, did not delegate, or did not follow up. It was that they were working with incompetence.
(Before I continue, I should say that this person had no authority to hire, fire or properly train the person. Furthermore, I should note, that the expectations that their manager has of them to “be a leader” do not count, because they are not empowered with the authority to execute the position.)
On a more serious note, this is a REALLY important topic. So often I hear people telling me that they have incompetent staff when, in reality what they really have is misaligned staff. It is not that their staff don’t have any value to add. It’s that they are trying to cut hair with an axe or cut a tree with a razor blade. In both cases, it is possible but it will be painful, harmful, and not well-done.
I often talk about #empowerment. But, empowerment is only really #effective if there is #alignment. Alignment is the act of ensuring that the right people are in the right places doing the right things. Too often we get stuck in the industrial-age mentality of “needs of the institution” and believe that because we are paying their wages, we own them and they have to do what we tell them. Sadly this often works just well enough that it FEELS true. But it is not!
The only way that an organization is going to thrive and a team is going to excel is if the right people have been placed in alignment with their purpose and skill. It is in the midst of alignment that the razor is able to produce a beautiful shave, and the axe is able to chop much firewood.
I hope this is encouraging to someone today.
More importantly, I hope this is motivating to someone today.
Let’s do our best to ensure our teams are aligned.
Let’s work diligently to empower them in their proper position.
Let’s make a dynamic impact in the lives of those we lead.
Let’s change the world!
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