True Leaders Make Great Passes

Everyone wants to be a leader but not everyone leads. Some define leadership as being the best person on the team or the top dog in the organization, but it's possible to be number 1 and not be the leader. 

What does it mean to be a leader? Leadership involves taking others from one place to another. In the world of sports, leaders help their teams to reach their full potential and when the team is playing up to their full potential, wins happen. Simply put, true leaders make the others around them better. They aren't just trying to build up their stat sheet, they are helping the team reach the ultimate prize which is the championship not just this year, but for years to come. 

In the world of professional basketball, there have been many examples of teams where the team leaders have invested in making the organization better for years to come, the most current example is the San Antonio Spurs. Having made the playoffs the last 19 years in a row, winning 5 championships during that span, it is hard to doubt their success as an organization. How have they done it for so long? It's because as an organization they understand that the top players have to see beyond themselves and their numbers and see the big picture of the team and all the players and coaches on it. When the top players invest back into the others, everyone learns to become the best version of themselves. When players and coaches end up leaving the organization they take with them that winning attitude into their next team or endeavor. It's no accident that many former Spurs players and coaches are leading some of the top teams around the league. They understand that when they bring someone in the organization they have to be the kind of individual who is reliable and teachable. Once they are on the team, the organization pours everything they have into teaching and developing them. 

This philosophy or principle has a biblical root. The apostle Paul who we know as one of the greatest disciple makers of all time speaks of this in 2 Timothy 2:2 when he says: 

"So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!—to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-2 MSG

‬‬When the leaders grab hold of the idea that their talents are not just for them but to be passed on to others, they set themselves up for long term success. What are you doing with your God-given talents? Are you just making yourself look good or are you helping others to become the best they can be? When you use your gifts to invest in others and help them become better, then in the process YOU become better too! 

Stay Forever Strong!