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The Leadership Secret

3 Reasons Why Great Leaders Need To Be Inadequate

Dan Britton

SET:

How often do leaders acknowledge personal weaknesses? Today, showing weakness is nearly unacceptable for leaders. But I believe great leadership requires an awareness of personal limitations and inadequacies.

When Jeremiah cries out, “Lord, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth,” he knows his need for God’s help. But God reminds Jeremiah that nothing is impossible with Him. God doesn’t need our strength; He asks for our availability, faith, and trust.

Inadequate Leaders realize they are neither all-powerful nor all-knowing. These leaders:

1. Possess great self-awareness.

A leadership consultant and executive coach once said, “A leader who is self-aware enough to know that he or she is not adept at everything is one who has taken the first step toward being a great leader.” Great leaders lead with their strengths and rely on God to help them in their weaknesses.

2. Don’t hide weaknesses.

Conduct a realistic self-appraisal. Understanding your strengths and your weaknesses allows you to excel and accept help from others.

3. Know failure is inevitable without God’s intervention.

This principle separates most great leaders from good leaders. Inadequate Leaders recognize their need of a mighty, merciful God.

In the world of sports, athletes and coaches often anticipate what God will do. We are inadequate, but God is not. Rely on Him to guide your every step.

GO:

1. Do you consider inadequacy a key leadership trait? Why is that hard to embrace as an athlete?

2. How have you relied on your teammates?

WORKOUT:

Judges 16:1–31

OVERTIME:

"Father, please give me the courage to do the right thing and the grace to admit weakness and accept help from You and others. Amen."