One of the greatest investments you can make as a leader will not be found in a stock selection, or emerging technologies, or foreign markets. A leader’s most powerful commodity is his relationships with people. The investment you make in the lives of those around you, in your sphere of influence, can pay off profoundly. Maybe not for you personally—but a genuine leader’s interest is ultimately not his own wellbeing, but to see those around him lifted by his actions and wisdom.
The Bible gives us clear instruction on favoring relationships over money. 1 Timothy 6:17-19, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” Instead of pursuing riches we are to be “rich in good works”, those being directed at the people in our circle of influence. Consider for ways you can invest practically in people this week:
Invest in their professional development. Are you in a position to help people grow in their job role and leadership capacity at work? Perhaps you can provide training or mentoring to a coworker or someone who reports to you. A simple way to develop people is to let them in on your decision-making by taking time to explain a direction or project in terms of intent and purpose. Give people an opportunity to ask questions of you. Look for ways to help people gain knowledge and experience through their work involvement, or by suggesting continuing education opportunities. And remember with respect professional advancement, you cannot expect 100% productivity from someone who is receiving 1% effort from leadership in their training and development.
Invest in their personal goals. Being genuinely interested in your people means you are genuinely interested in what they want to accomplish in life. A job is for many just a means for provision, and their personal goals may have little to do with how they spend their working hours. Learn their desires for marriage and family, home and personal interests, and prayerfully suggest ways they may leverage their interactions to bring about their personal goals. A leader is investing in his people when he wants to see them succeed in all facets of their lives. A person will often leave an organization not because their performance is poor, but because their personal goals are not being advanced.
Invest in their physical health. A leader who ignores health and instead feeds someone’s ambition and overwork, and the unhealthy habits that come with it, is doing a great disservice to the individual. Leaders are often fearful to mention someone’s weight, eating habits, smoking, lack of rest and exercise, or other unhealthy lifestyle. However there are ways to gently let someone know you are concerned about their health and wellbeing. Let them know you treasure them as a person. Don’t reward late nights and weekend work, but encourage balance and healthy habits.
Invest in their spiritual growth. Though bringing a spiritual aspect to work for many leaders is taboo, the reality is that you can, indeed, be a positive spiritual influence and invest spiritually in people at the office. It begins with prayer—are you praying often for everyone in your circle of influence? Ask God to open up avenues for spiritual conversation. When someone brings you a personal question or concern, it is appropriate to simply ask, “May I pray for you?” or “May I pray about that?” The majority of people respond positively to an offer for prayer, and you have just broached a wall by letting them know you approach problems and concerns from a spiritual perspective. With people who are openly spiritual in their relationships and interactions, encourage their prayer, participation in service and Bible study, and other avenues of spiritual growth. God made us as spiritual beings and there is an innate desire in everyone to know spiritual answers and have this deeper purpose for life. A leader can find passive but effective means (like prayer) to invest in others spiritually without them taking offense.
As a leader you do not have all the answers. Smart leaders surround themselves with people whose knowledge, skills and experience supplement their own.