Today’s Intentional Leadership challenge focuses on the second scenario from our last leadership challenge, “Minimizing Frustrations and Discouragements.”

What do you do when you must work outside your God-given talents, abilities, and insights? As a leader, you will often find yourself faced with tasks that require skill sets other than those which are your strengths.

You should consider whether this task is going to be recurring or a one-time situation. A one-time situation may require that you ask for input and then proceed. However, a recurring task brings different considerations.

For a recurring task, objectively ask yourself if it is indeed something that you must personally do yourself. If so, then you should develop your skills in this area in which you are lacking knowledge and abilities. Obtain training and insight that will build upon your skill set and help you more effectively accomplish the task at hand. If you do not need to personally work on the task, then there is another approach that is summed up in one word, delegate.

I will give you a moment to recover and gather your thoughts because I realize that the word delegate may have just shaken you a bit.

It is true that many in leadership positions are fearful and hesitant when it comes to delegating. They have allowed themselves to follow that the old cliché, “If you want a job done right, then do it yourself.” Over and over throughout scripture God tells us not to fear, so make a quality decision now that you will not be fearful to delegate.

In reality, good leaders are those who empower others to do the work. Understand that God has placed others with different God-given skill sets in your arena of ministry to be an active and vital part of that ministry. They are with you to come along side and strengthen the ministry in areas where your weaknesses lie. Allowing them to use their talents, gifts, and abilities will actually increase your effectiveness in ministry.

So, find someone whose talents, abilities, and insights align with the type of task that needs to be accomplished. Cast your vision for accomplishing that task. Pour into that person your insights and desired outcome. Then, empower them to proceed.

Learning to delegate, and doing so effectively, will remove many frustrations and discouragements from your ministry and enable greater works to be accomplished. You will be a better leader and a more proficient one as you learn to delegate.

Gary R. Linn