Comments on: Fatigued? Learn to Draft http://www.onleadingwell.com/2009/09/07/fatigued-learn-to-draft/ Ken Cochrum explores practical leadership...for the rest of us. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:16:52 +0000 hourly 1 By: Brian http://www.onleadingwell.com/2009/09/07/fatigued-learn-to-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-259 Brian Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:20 +0000 http://www.onleadingwell.com/?p=483#comment-259 I'm going to make my staff and student leaders memorize "One role of a servant leader is to reduce the friction a team experiences in pursuit of objectives. Often this friction is a result of the external environment." The power in that statement for me comes when I think about taking some friction in an area that is not one of my strengths for a time so that someone under me can grow in a specific area of need. It's definitely a loss for me in the short run, but an exponential gain for both in the long run. As Michael Scott once said "Win, Win, Win" :) I’m going to make my staff and student leaders memorize “One role of a servant leader is to reduce the friction a team experiences in pursuit of objectives. Often this friction is a result of the external environment.”

The power in that statement for me comes when I think about taking some friction in an area that is not one of my strengths for a time so that someone under me can grow in a specific area of need. It’s definitely a loss for me in the short run, but an exponential gain for both in the long run.

As Michael Scott once said “Win, Win, Win” :)

]]> By: Ken http://www.onleadingwell.com/2009/09/07/fatigued-learn-to-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-257 Ken Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:09:32 +0000 http://www.onleadingwell.com/?p=483#comment-257 Hannah and Walter, thanks for raising a really practical question, namely: How do you "draft" in a ministry or job environment? One role of a servant leader is to reduce the friction a team experiences in pursuit of objectives. Often this friction is a result of the external environment. Yet, as I have witnessed in my own leadership, too frequently my own limitations blind me from noticing how my actions (or inaction) have begun slowing down the team. This is natural. I shouldn't lead all the time just because I carry a title. I need to look at who has the gifts, energy and current positioning necessary to move the team a little further down the road. Brian has captured the heart of the issue: the humility of the leader. I need humility to know when pride, ego, self-sufficiency or competitiveness blind me from realizing that everyone can go faster if I just peel off and let someone else pull for awhile. Hannah and Walter, thanks for raising a really practical question, namely: How do you “draft” in a ministry or job environment?

One role of a servant leader is to reduce the friction a team experiences in pursuit of objectives. Often this friction is a result of the external environment. Yet, as I have witnessed in my own leadership, too frequently my own limitations blind me from noticing how my actions (or inaction) have begun slowing down the team. This is natural. I shouldn’t lead all the time just because I carry a title. I need to look at who has the gifts, energy and current positioning necessary to move the team a little further down the road.

Brian has captured the heart of the issue: the humility of the leader. I need humility to know when pride, ego, self-sufficiency or competitiveness blind me from realizing that everyone can go faster if I just peel off and let someone else pull for awhile.

]]> By: Brian http://www.onleadingwell.com/2009/09/07/fatigued-learn-to-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-256 Brian Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:47:50 +0000 http://www.onleadingwell.com/?p=483#comment-256 ken love the cycling analogy! excited you're part of a group ride; that's been challenging for me here in Chico, even though it's a huge cycling town. the piece of this that i talked about with our student interns here at Chico State is the strengths portion (similar vein to Walter's comments). it's not just sharing the load, but realizing who is best at being in the front. my pride and self-sufficiency often pushes me to stay in front when it's clear i need to peel off and let someone else take the front. thanks for the post! ken love the cycling analogy! excited you’re part of a group ride; that’s been challenging for me here in Chico, even though it’s a huge cycling town.

the piece of this that i talked about with our student interns here at Chico State is the strengths portion (similar vein to Walter’s comments).

it’s not just sharing the load, but realizing who is best at being in the front. my pride and self-sufficiency often pushes me to stay in front when it’s clear i need to peel off and let someone else take the front.

thanks for the post!

]]> By: Walter Chen http://www.onleadingwell.com/2009/09/07/fatigued-learn-to-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-251 Walter Chen Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:10:52 +0000 http://www.onleadingwell.com/?p=483#comment-251 Ken - good analogy. Here's a follow up thought: in a 40-mile ride around Orlando, you signed up with the B-team since you knew your limits - no offense, but not sure how the A-teamers would feel having you around...is he going to help? hurt?! :-). Throw me in the B-team, I'm useless to the group as I belong on the "freshman squad"! I think that is a critical part of the peloton (segmentation based on objectives, skills, and physical abilities). In a ministry, how is the A team vs. B team applied? Is that realistic since we welcome all? In business, there is the A-team (executive leadership who may or may not be true A-team), middle management, and "doers". How is this applied? Most worker bees don't get to pick whether they are leading A-team or B-team or whether they are following a leader worth "drafting." In NASCAR or bike riding, drafting works because of aerodynamics, physics, and driving/riding skills. "Sharing the load" is a good start for application. Would be great to get your thoughts on how to "draft" in a ministry or job environment Ken – good analogy. Here’s a follow up thought: in a 40-mile ride around Orlando, you signed up with the B-team since you knew your limits – no offense, but not sure how the A-teamers would feel having you around…is he going to help? hurt?! :-) . Throw me in the B-team, I’m useless to the group as I belong on the “freshman squad”! I think that is a critical part of the peloton (segmentation based on objectives, skills, and physical abilities).

In a ministry, how is the A team vs. B team applied? Is that realistic since we welcome all? In business, there is the A-team (executive leadership who may or may not be true A-team), middle management, and “doers”. How is this applied? Most worker bees don’t get to pick whether they are leading A-team or B-team or whether they are following a leader worth “drafting.”

In NASCAR or bike riding, drafting works because of aerodynamics, physics, and driving/riding skills. “Sharing the load” is a good start for application. Would be great to get your thoughts on how to “draft” in a ministry or job environment

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