“Great vision, great strategy, or great opportunity without great people is irrelevant. The first priority, worry, and obsession, if you are building a great company, is around people.” – Jim Collins
At the forefront of any great organization, you’ll find a great leader. Well there is no denying that this is true, as everything rises and falls on leadership, what most people sometimes don’t pay attention to is the longevity of the mission. What makes organizations continue to thrive sometimes 20, 30, even 50+ years since inception?
Great leaders produce great leaders. The greatest of leaders multiply their impact and influence, creating a sustainable model for future generations to follow. Meaning the leaders they produce, produce even more leaders. It’s a cycle that when it manifests itself, produces a world class organization, with future world class leaders carrying on the legacy for years on end. Even when the original leadership has come to pass.
It’s a well-known (somewhat sad) phenomenon that many organizations struggle to survive beyond the second generation of leadership. While there isn’t a specific statistic that universally applies to all types of organizations, studies have shown that a significant portion of businesses fail to transition successfully to the next generation. The exact percentage varies depending on factors such as industry, region, and leadership dynamics. To bring this in to even shorter range view, many organizations couldn’t survive a month without the senior leader in place. Some couldn’t even go a few weeks, let alone carry on a legacy!
Why do you think that is? Why do you think most owners or managers will never get to successfully pass the baton over to the next generation of leaders? Successfully transitioning an organization, or department across the next generation of leaders requires careful planning, cascading authority, effective communication, a focus on professionalization, and a willingness to adapt to changing conditions. Without these elements in place, many organizations struggle to survive beyond the first generation of leaders.
How does that make you feel? To know what you are doing today, statistics show there is a pretty strong likelihood it will not carry on tomorrow. Let’s take that one step deeper – If something were to happen to you today, who would take over for you tomorrow? No matter the size of your team, there are others that rely on your organization to provide financial stability for themselves. Or maybe you’ve gotten to a point in your leadership where people are working to reach their goals in life utilizing your platform to help them get there.
In the new testament in the bible, Titus, a companion of the apostle Paul, played a crucial role in the early Christian church. By examining Titus’s journey and Paul’s guidance and pouring into him, we uncover strategies for empowering individuals, fostering growth, and creating a legacy of leadership excellence that can cascade for a lifetime of growth!
I knew early on in my journey with Atlas that if we were going to be able to serve our clients with excellence, and continue to grow, and build a legacy that far surpassed my lifetime, I couldn’t do it alone. I couldn’t be all things to all people. So hiring help wasn’t an issue for me to recognize. For example, I had this early prerequisite as I was building my team that in order to work for Atlas, you had to be somewhat mechanically inclined. Now I know this seems minimal, like “we get it, Sam, you’re not the guy to wrench on equipment”. That is not my point. This was a very recognizable delegation, beyond the work that was bringing in income. It was small, but it was the start of what some form of delegation looked like. After a few years of growth, I realized that I had dialed in some task and role delegation, but I wasn’t building up leaders. I had not given others the proper authority to lead and work to truly build up other leaders. It was an early lid to growth, and a recipe for burnout for me, which I almost hit when my capacity capped! Capped where you might ask? I had maxed out at ME. I was the lid. I was NOT producing leaders, I was producing followers. A group of individuals that once one task was done, they’d call me and ask “what’s next”. When there was any problems that arose, and trust me they always did, I was their first call to fix it. Do that day in and day out for too long and it wears at you. I know as I write this, and some of you are reading it, it’s wearing at you today. Know that you are not alone on your journey!
As an immature leader, I thought these order takers were what it took to build a dream team. But if I ever wasn’t able to provide direction for them, they wouldn’t have known what to do. I’m sure they would’ve figured it out, but with what repercussions? Do you see where I’m going here? Surrounding yourself with somebody, or a few people that are smarter than you at a particular craft, and empowering them to make decisions as owners is how you build next generation leaders. Oh you’re worried they’ll make mistakes? That’s good. That means they are trying. Let me guess… You don’t make mistakes?
Why should this be a priority for you? Because in order to build a mission that lasts, there has to be leaders that last. And how do leaders last? By building more leaders! You see, delegating tasks and roles creates followers. Delegating and giving authority cultivates leaders.
Paul knew exactly what he was doing when he was empowering Titus. He knew his time on earth was limited, and in order for his work to continue on, he had to build leaders!
What are some examples we can take away from Paul’s leadership that we should be applying into our leadership starting today?
1. Lead by Example (setting the example): Paul entrusted Titus with significant responsibilities, demonstrating the power of leading by example. As leaders, our actions speak louder than words. By embodying integrity, humility, and diligence, we inspire others to follow suit. Titus’s unwavering commitment to the gospel set a compelling precedent for those under his influence.
2. Mentorship and Development (building others up): Paul’s mentorship of Titus underscores the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders. Through intentional mentorship and discipleship, seasoned leaders can impart wisdom, share experiences, and provide guidance to up and coming leaders. Titus benefited greatly from Paul’s mentorship, equipping him to effectively lead and disciple others.
3. Cultivating Character and Competence (training up the ability, and filtering everything through values) : True leadership encompasses both character and competence. Titus’s leadership was characterized by a deep-rooted faith, sound judgment, and practical wisdom. As leaders, we must prioritize the holistic development of those under our care, nurturing not only their skills and abilities but also their character and values.
4. Empowering Others (giving others the ability to make decisions as owners, not just take orders): Titus’s leadership style was marked by empowerment rather than control. He empowered individuals to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities. Effective leaders empower others to unleash their full potential, enabling them to thrive in their unique giftings and talents.
5. Vision and Mission Alignment (know where you are going and how you’re going to get there): Titus aligned his leadership with the overarching mission of advancing the gospel and building up the church. A clear vision and mission provide a sense of purpose and direction, rallying individuals around a common cause. Leaders must effectively communicate vision, aligning the efforts of their team toward shared goals and objectives.
6. Legacy of Leadership (this not only allows your mission to carry on far past your time, but allows for unlimited growth during your leadership charge. A leader is only as good as his 2nd in command): Titus’s legacy endures as a testament to his exemplary leadership and faithful service. He left behind a thriving community of believers who continued to carry forth the torch of truth and love. As leaders, our greatest legacy lies in the lives we impact and the leaders we raise up to carry the mantle forward.
In our leadership journey, we find timeless principles and profound wisdom in the life of Titus. By emulating his example and heeding Paul’s guidance, we can cultivate a new generation of leaders who will leave a lasting mark on the world. Let us commit ourselves to building up our leaders, empowering them to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction. Building generational leaders and creating a leadership legacy is essential for ensuring organizational success, fostering innovation and adaptability, nurturing a positive organizational culture, and making a meaningful impact on individuals and communities. By investing in leadership development and cultivating a culture of generational leadership, organizations can build a strong foundation for long-term growth, resilience, and prosperity.
Final application question: Who is your Titus? Who are your seconds in command that you’re coaching, mentoring, and cultivating up to see to it that your leadership and organization lives on and continues to make an impact not just today, but tomorrow too? If you make your leadership just about you, it’ll end at you. The great news is it’s not too late – Start today! The bad news – If you don’t have a person that comes to mind within 10 seconds of reading this that you should be leveling up, that means they are non-existent in your organization today. If that person comes to mind right away, that is your one. And all you need is one. Empower him / her starting today. It only takes a spark to start a fire!