The Spirit of AL

I'm a visionary and passionate one at that. One thing that I've noticed in leadership is that your greatest strengths can become your greatest weaknesses. Because I am so driven and so passionate about influencing lives for Christ my motor is constantly running. I was watching my favorite channel the other night (Food Channel) they were having a holiday decoration contest made out of food. One guys tree was over the top as I watched the show further I realized not only was this guys creation over the top his personality and his character was too. I asked my wife, is that me, she replied yes, sometimes.

I love my wife, she makes me better, her answer was sweet, subtle and powerful. She often will wait till I see things rather then trying to make me see what she see's. I know it drives her nuts. Let me explain what I mean by the spirit of AL. I am a Raider fan, but the owner, Al Davis has his hands in everything, as a result he has stifled his team and his organization to the point where last Thursday the sports commentators were flat out making jokes about them. The "Spirit of Al" is driven, but it drives relationships south, it stifles growth and in the end what you are most passionate about will never come because the team is out of balance.

Here's what I'm realizing:

• If an event or a task has gone south it's usually because I did not communicate it effectively.
• Allowing people to dream builds an invaluable trust
  
• I learned this from my Pastor, "sometimes you just have to allow folks to sink or swim", If I have have prepared a team member, if I have set them up in area of their strength, if I have communicated effectively, chances are they are going to swim and they might just be the next Michael Phelps of Ministry
  
• In the end you hurt the team and hurt yourself in ministry if you stunt the growth of the players.

A note to all those running the race next to me, thank you for your continued patience, thank you for trusting me, I truly do have complete confidence in you. I believe in You, I need you, have much luv for you all. I rebuke the spirit of Al