April 21. Do You Count One, Two, Three?

Sometimes you just want people to do their job. It can be tempting to think or say, “just do it” and throw your hands up in frustration. As an entrepreneur and leader, we can have trouble delegating. Many have started companies themselves and done almost every job there is to do in the company.

Therefore, we can believe, right or wrong, that we know how to do the job. But knowing and reality are different and when you add communication to the mix the whole issue of delegating can be jeopardized. Sometimes we just need to take a break and count to three?

You know, like you have heard parents do with children. I am going to count to three Jimmy, and I expect you to be here with me by the end or else! But counting to three is not the way to build stronger relationships. It is a very authoritative way to operate.

We can often do better by using three concepts to further drive our delegation: sharing the why, what, and how. Why do we exist as a team? What is it that we do? How do we get it accomplished?

If you cannot motivate an employee or team member by reminding them of the why, what, and how then it is probably time to find them another team or organization. Everyone is valuable but that does not mean that everyone can be a valuable enough resource to be on your team.

Our team members must be able to find a place where they might be able to contribute as a member. Where have you been short this last week as leader? Another way to ask is where have you counted to three?

What would be the result if you went to extend the conversation and had it in the framework of why, what, and how? We can be accountable whether leading or following to remember all three. Would that be a good use of your investment in the people on your team?

In the Bible, Joshua, like Moses, as he prepared to leave this world, gathered the tribal leaders and addressed them to remind them to follow God. He had been told by Moses that the people wou

ld not follow and do what they were supposed to do. But Joshua did not count to three, he focused on the why, what, and how.

Where have we been short over the last week in our relationships that did not honor Christ? Have we been tempted to assume that everyone on our team knows or is remembering why our organization exists?

Team members should know what it is that we do to create value and their part in the processes in how we go about doing it. We can do this with our faith community, in our neighborhoods and in our homes with family. The challenge is that we are human, and we sin.

We fall short and through Christ have the benefit of living with the grace of God. Jesus and the benefit of grace is a big part of our why. Where can you share the why, what, and how this week instead of the one, two, three? I think our families and faith communities will appreciate it when we set the example.

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, we are thankful that you love us enough to have shared the why with us. We know that the way to you is through your son Jesus Christ. Help us to share the why with our brothers and sisters in Christ here on the earth and in the relationships that we have.

Help us to share the why message with those that do not have a relationship with Christ yet. Make our words reflect your why instead of our excuses. Remove the excuses of why we have not achieved excellence and guide us to execution. When we fail to execute our why, we come to ask your forgiveness again.

Thank you for not counting to three Lord. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,