Last week, we said: "A Leader believes people are inherently good and want to do work that is good (accepting)" The use of the word accepting here is strategic in and of itself. When we accept a gift, it is received as a gift. Contrast that to building "tolerance" where it's as if we are enduring or putting up with something. When working with teams, one key strategy has always been to connect people to their purpose and each other. On one hand it's the six degrees of separation exercise... on the other it is purely aligned with first century Christianity- "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God". (Romans 15:7 NIV)

This leads accepting people and leading them to accept others. Most people when asked what they like most about work will answer "the people I work with". Yes, even though those same people get on our last nerve from time to time... Some will like specific tasks or the relational responsibilities of the role- either way, we as Leaders need to link the connections to build acceptance. As followers of Christ, we have been totally accepted. As Leaders, we have honor of growing people in their views of others, especially those who are different. Think about how the task people need the "people" people to interact with the customers... How the high speed people need the deliberate people to do their computer programming (and proof-reading)...

If we lean into people where they are, they are more willing to be led (or learn and grow) into an area where they are uncomfortable or unskilled. Think about someone who gave the gift of accepting to us along the way, leading us into the next step toward leadership and consider letting that person know the impact they had by believing and accepting...

Until next week, Pursue God...Lead Faithfully...Learn Continuously