Passing the "Ball" of Leadership

March 11, 2011, on the way back from New Zealand to Sydney, Auckland Airport

In New Zealand, the people are true fans of Rugby. The Rugby World Cup will be held in New Zealand on September 2011.
What's interesting about rugby (besides not having much protective gear) is that you can only pass the ball to the person behind you. I think that it's the only sport wherein in order for the team to go closer to the goal, they have to pass it backwards first. And why pass it? Because Goliath-like men are going to be on top of you if you don't, that's why.

It's a lot like leadership, if we want our organization to advance in it's goals, we have to PASS it. Yes, to the person behind us, the person we have been mentoring. This person, our very own Timothy (assuming we are Paul) benefit much from the experiences and lessons we share to them.  Added with his/her own ideas and fresh perspective, he/she will most likely become a better leader, IF we plan to PASS the ball.

Is there someone whom we can pass the "ball" of leadership we are carrying?  Are there deliberate efforts to mentor and strategically position that person for ease of passing? How much time are we spending transitioning the "ball" to this person?

Four things that can help us in PASSing the ball
1. Plan your future goals

By planning goals, it will help you to identify the suitable person who will be able to achieve them.  Without clear goals, you have nothing to leave behind the next leader.  Painting a picture of your vision will help them connect your leadership to theirs.
 
2. Always expose them to action

When the next in line is identified, bring them to important meetings or activities.  Let them see how things work.  It is easier to mentor by processing what happened in the actual event.   This gives them better recall and lessons are more imprinted in the minds.

3. Serve them
Leadership is about servanthood, as exemplified by Christ.  It doesn't mean that if you are higher in position, you get to pressure them and instill fear. Instead, show that you are here to serve and not to be served.  Through service, we will be teaching them about humility and the genuine purpose of leading.

4. Secure Your Trust in them
Trust is probably one of the best gifts you can give your Timothy.  Trust gives them the confidence to decide.  They may make mistakes at first, but show them that you believe that they can rise and do better at the end.  Trust is part of letting go of your leadership and transitioning it to the next. If your Timothy feels secured of your trust, he/she will even go beyond your expectations.

So, while the ball of leadership is with us, we do our best to run fast to our goals and protect it.  When it's time, we pass it on.  Specially when there are those who are truly capable to lead. In history, we have seen the dangers and negative results of leaders who held to their leadership for too long.  Just like in Rugby, we have to pass the "ball" or we will get overwhelmed by the needs of the times. We are all stewards of our responsibilities and God is the one who appoints and anoints.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied (2 Kings 2:9).

May God grant those who succeed our leadership a double-portion of His Spirit.  Amen.