You Don’t Need a Title to Make a Move

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Luke 22:27 NIV

New Year, New Responsibility

A New Year brings New Transitions. Oftentimes, with a new year many find themselves taking on new or more responsibilities, beginning a new position, working in a new area or field. It could be through election, or re-election. Others are promoted. Many organizations and non-profit organizations go through these types of seasonal changes for organizational purposes.

It is often that a new responsibility gets added to an extensive collection of existing hats. Same person, more responsibility. Many new team members enter a new role enthusiastic with high expectations and all the pressure to perform. 

However you find yourself, either in a new season or more areas to work in; allow me to remind you that you are there for a reason. It could be a season for personal development or developing someone else. That is up to you to identify. 

Lead with your actions and not your words.

“Your job gives you authority, but your actions earn you respect.”

Unknown

You Don’t Need a Title to Make a Move

As we were preparing for New Year’s eve service, I witnessed a very noble act that may have gone overlooked if there was no one there.

I was digging through a storage closet looking for cables that the media team needed right away, when two women down the hall conversed on how the women’s restroom was recently out of service. In the middle of my search, I noticed one of our greeting team members (who also wears several hats) also searching for something.

I asked: “What are you looking for?”

He responded: “A plunger because the women’s restroom is out of service.”

I realized then we overheard the conversation at the exact same time as he passed by and made himself available to meet a rather urgent need.

No one reported the issue directly to him, no one asked him specifically if he could fix the issue. He simply overheard of the need and he then immediately met that need. He felt the impulse to address the issue simply because a need existed. That is called leadership. 

He doesn’t currently hold the title of janitor. But even though his responsibilities are in a different dept. he was not opposed to making himself available to serve and go out of his way. Even if it was “not his job”. I have no doubt in my mind that this man would have reacted the exact same way even if no one was there to witness it.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of the others.

Philippians 2:3,4 NIV

True leaders do not chase titles, they chase opportunities to serve. Titles direct perceptions through a narrow tunnel; only focusing on what their “titles” hold them accountable for. The title does not define the leader, the leader gives the title a definition by demonstrating. When you see the title, you should see the face of the leader. Leaders lead by serving others. Leaders are the first to get their hands dirty and do not require a title to take action. Leaders identify the needs and make a move.

“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. ACT! Action will delineate and define you.”

Thomas Jefferson

Identify the need and Make a Move

What would happen if we were all able to identify various needs around us and were be able to meet those needs immediately? Identify them and be willing to meet them without needing a title to define how and what needs to done. Be able to identify them without needing some type of immediate gratification, or incentive. But how?

Passion and instincts.

Instincts will impulse and direct you to identify a need. You will say or think things like, “I want to do…” or “There should be a…”, We should do a…” These are all phrases that are identifying needs.

Your Passion will identify what you should do next. Naturally, a desire will burst out wanting make a move, do something for someone or create something to cause some change. This happens outside of the public eye.

It is difficult to find the need when we are only looking for a spot light. 

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Matthew 23:11,12 NIV