Less directive, more directional. I heard this phrase recently and I like it. As leaders, we need to be more directional, meaning we need to do more pointing in the direction the organization needs to go. Simultaneously, we need to be less directive, meaning we could minimize the number of instructions we give, telling people how to get there.
The more directional and the less directive we become, the more we will see our people blossom. Why? Because we can trust our people to make things happen of their own accord once we have shared with them what needs to transpire.
It is a struggle for leaders to accomplish this balance well. Leaders have an urge to be directive. It takes maturity in leadership to leave people alone at the right time. But this must be our aim, and it’s something I work on daily.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Let’s pray for wisdom in this area.
