Today’s topic is replace yourself. When talking with staff, we choose to say “replace yourself.” As we discussed the “Replace Yourself” statement when we toyed with different phraseology, which can totally change the dynamic. We wanted to convey the importance of raising up the next generation to pass the baton of our mission to them. We considered “replicate yourself”, but it strikes the wrong chord. Replication means you are making a carbon copy of yourself. From experience I know I cannot be a great someone else, or even a good someone else. However, I can be the best Collin maximizing my strengths and working on my weaknesses.
Replace yourself means you will work to invest in others, because you have the realization you cannot do everything by yourself and you are not always going to be where you are currently. Here a few techniques we use to make sure we are replacing ourselves at camp.
- Walk and Talk – When you are headed somewhere with one or two people look to invest in them. Take advantage of your uninterrupted time and make everything a teachable moment.
- Pursue your People – A huge mistake a leader can make is inaccessibility. Maybe you have told your team “my door is always open.” Truthfully, that is not enough. You need to go to your people or you need to invite them into your environment. To create opportunities to replace yourself in others you need to pursue your people.
- Delegate – First decide what only you can do. There are things you should not delegate. However, often times you can empower others by delegating tasks to them and supporting them through it.
Ultimately, replacing yourself is a spiritual mandate we should all follow based on the Great Commission. If you are not first replacing your faith in others, you are missing the mission in our walk as believers. Today consider in whom you should be replacing yourself and how you can accomplish it.