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The Weekly Winning Thought

What To Do When All Eyes Are On You

By February 20, 2022No Comments

“Where there is no vision the people perish.” 

-King Solomon (Pr 29:18)

In the summer between my junior and senior year of college, I worked as the Recreation Director at Table Rock State Park, a postcard-perfect setting nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the northwest corner of South Carolina. My job was to plan and coordinate all the recreational activities of the park’s summer program. I had a co-worker, also a summer worker, who was hired as the Naturalist. I took care of volleyball, horseshoes, and the weekly talent show. My colleague took care of the nature center, conducted lectures, and led hikes.

Things were going well that summer, but three weeks into my 11-week assignment, the Naturalist quit. Rather than replacing him, my boss appointed me Recreation Director and Naturalist, all-in-one. I knew my job, but I didn’t know the Naturalist’s job. I could handle the snakes in the nature center, as long as they stayed on the other side of the glass, and I knew the difference between poison ivy and rhododendron. But I wasn’t adequately prepared for my first official task in my new role.

My colleague quit on a Wednesday, the day before he was to lead his weekly, all-day hike to the top of Table Rock. This is a rugged 3.6-mile hike that ascends 2,000 feet from the base to the summit of the huge granite dome. For many of the visitors that week, they had been eagerly awaiting the Thursday hike since arriving Sunday afternoon. They were excited about having an experienced guide and expert lead them to the 3,124-foot peak where spectacular panoramic views awaited them.

There was one problem. The expert guide was no longer available. The hikers would soon have a not-so-expert as their guide, me. This leads to the second problem; I had never been on the hike myself. I had never been where I was supposed to be taking them. My fateful Wednesday was leading up to a frightful Thursday.

There’s a saying in leadership, “You can’t take someone to a place you’ve never been.” It was probably a good thing at the time that I was unaware of this adage. As I assembled the eager hikers at the trailhead for the six-hour roundtrip hike that Thursday morning, I was peppered with questions like these; how long will it take, how strenuous is it, can I do it with these shoes? I answered with; “not too long,” “it’s not that bad,” and “sure,” respectively. I’m thankful nobody asked, “Have you ever been on the hike yourself?” They just assumed I had.

On that particular day, I simply shared with the hikers things I had heard or read about the trail. I was not the expert. I was nervous, praying that the trail would be well marked so I could get my followers up and back without incident. Though a bit apprehensive, I was willing to lead. I had to do this. People were counting on me.

As a business consultant and executive coach, I traffic in issues like this with my clients daily. Everybody is leading somebody. It could be an organization of hundreds or a posse of two toddlers navigating The Magic Kingdom. It’s great when we’re leading someone to a place we’ve been before, but often we’re put into a situation where we are leading someone to a place we’ve never been.

I’m pleased to inform you that I made it up the mountain and back that summer day without getting lost or losing any of my party. It was a great day with incredible views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I was able to lead the group to a place I had never been because I had a vision. Having looked at pictures, read about the hike, and studied maps, I was able to lead with certainty in an unfamiliar environment. I was prepared because I took the time to learn from those who had gone before me, ones who had prepared the way by marking the trail with signs and arrows to direct my path.

Life is full of mundane Wednesdays that precede unexpected and frightful Thursdays. As followers of the risen Christ, we do not face them alone. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead us, and the trails blazed by others who have gone before us. The Bible tells us, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Dt 31:8).”

What task or journey are you being called to lead right now? Perhaps it’s something you don’t consider to be part of your job responsibility or maybe something that’s outside your comfort zone. Maybe it’s to a place you’ve never even been before. You’ve got to do this. People are counting on you; a coworker, spouse, child, or team of people, who are assuming you are the one that will get them there safely. In times like these, we must put aside our lack of experience, act upon our calling, and rise to the occasion to partner with a mighty God to go places we’ve never been before.

Are you willing? Our God is able, and the views are incredible!

Play to win this week in the game that really counts!

Are you a business owner, executive, or other professional looking to grow your business and improve your life? If so, see how Bill and his firm might be able to help you: Northstar Leadership