My nature is weak.
I don’t want to bother people, put them out, or ask them to do something uncomfortable…even if it’s for a good cause.
I’m just that way.
That’s me.
But when it comes to leadership, sometimes you have to man up and make the Big Ask. You have to ask people to jump in and do something sacrificial. Sometimes, the time comes when you need to ask your people to do something they flat don’t want to do.
But leadership still requires it.
Whatever you do, you require other people to operate.
Ministry
Sales
Production
Retail
Administration
You need all kinds of other people to operate at your full potential. If you’re wise, you’ll do your best to match people up with their skill set, so they are not only volunteering their time, energy, or resources, but they’re loving it!
I remember the day that I realized that sometimes you have to ask someone to do something that you absolutely hate. In my naivety, I thought everyone else hated it, too.
Not true.
You might be asking someone to invest in something that makes them tick!
And if you don’t, then what’s the worst that can happen? I asked a friend to do something big this week. I knew I was asking him to step out of his comfort zone. Honestly, I was pretty uncomfortable asking him to engage in this specific task. And guess what? He said no. And we went on about our day. He didn’t flip me off and walk away. He didn’t defriend me on Facebook. He said no. And we’re still friends. It’s as simple as that.
Someone wiser than me once said, “Don’t ever say no for someone.”
And that’s the principle I choose to live by.
Make the Big Ask.