A few months ago, I decided to renovate my home office. I had already been using our detached guest room as an office, removing the bed and adding some book shelves and a desk, but that was the extent of it. My Zoom meetings did not reflect an adequate background, and the space did not have enough shelves for all my books. And it was not an inspiring space to read and write and do what I do.
So I hired a friend from church who owns a company that does renovations and interior painting. Also an artist, my friend used to have an art gallery where he sold his own paintings. I got an artist and a builder in one package!
Before we started, my friend asked me, “What would you like? What color? What shape?” I told him, “I just want an office that is inspiring for me to be in, have my resources nearby, and look professional. I know I want built-in shelves from floor to ceiling . . .” Other than that, I did not see it, I could not imagine it when it came to colors or other details. I said, “Please, you pick the color, the divisions. You get a desk, chair, and whatever you think is needed.”
He said, “How about if I opened a space for a window?” The room did not have windows. After a few seconds’ pause, I said, “Sure, go for it.” He continued, “What if I make the door to the room from the outside a double glass door, instead of a one-sided door?” Excited, I said, “Sure.” My friend had a clear vision, almost like a clairvoyant. I could see that he saw it clearly in his mind’s eye. I had no clue.
I left for an international trip. Then, viola! When I returned eight weeks later, he had built the most beautiful office space I could have imagined. Only, I couldn’t really imagine it.
What’s the leadership lesson here?
In their area of strength, people have a profound ability to see into the future, more than the rest of us. It seems uncanny, almost prophetic. This makes sense because their mind has stored hundreds and thousands of images, experiences, almost like databases that today’s AI use. And AI is as good as the databases it pulls from.
One of my partners has an uncanny ability to predict whether a certain deal will make a profit or not. I am okay at that, but I am not an off-the-chart visionary in that area. I see far when it comes to big dreams, organizational culture, and empowering others. I can spot talent. I can see potential, more than my partner can. This is an area that I can usually see farther than others.
Here is your take away: As leaders, sometimes we feel lacking when we don’t see as far as others do, so we start asserting ourselves, overcompensating, and making blunders in the process. We’d be more mature to realize there are probably a handful of areas in which we can see beyond those around us, and recognize the same is true of them.
The most effective relationship is when you recognize each other’s prophetic talent, give each other space, yes still check each other, but give deference in big ways to people’s ability to see.
In 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 Paul talks about the body of Christ, emphasizing that each member has a unique function. He illustrates the importance of allowing others to lead in the areas in which they excel. In these areas, they will see farther than us, and mature leaders will let them.
