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| Michael and Vito Corleone of the movie "The Godfather" |
Clemenza: Don
Corleone, you once said the day would come when me and Tessio could form our
own families. Until today I would never think of such a thing but now I must
ask your permission.
Don Corleone:
Well, Michael's head of the family now and if he gives his permission then you
have my blessing.
To give up authority and power is hard. But if you want your
organization to survive and keep fulfilling its mission, then you’ve got to be
realistic and painstakingly prepare the next generation leaders and plan your
exit.
How?
1) Delegate not just tasks but authority as
well.
As Pastor Craig Groeschel puts it, “when you delegate tasks,
you create followers. When you delegate authority, you create leaders.”
2) “Delegate authority almost to the point of
abdication.”
This philosophy of Warren Buffett on delegation works and he
has $70.1 Billion and Berkshire Hathaway, the fourth most valuable public
company in the U.S. with a market capitalization of $355 billion to prove it.
“WARREN BUFFETT delegates, not just a task, but the entire
job. He owns more than eighty-eight diverse businesses, and he has turned over
the management of these companies to eighty-eight highly competent CEO-managers
who have complete control over their businesses.” (Warren Buffett's Management
Secrets: Proven Tools for Personal and Business, Mary Buffett, David Clark
2009)
3) Delegating authority also means making them
responsible for the organization
Don’t be a "run-to-the-rescue" leader when failure
comes knocking on the door. It will only delay the growth of people as leaders.
Let them take responsibility for the success and failure of the organization.
4) Although tempting, don’t interfere or try
to micromanage.
As long as they’re fulfilling the mission and preserving the
core values of the organization, don’t try to interfere by trying to align
their methods to yours.
"Surround yourself with the best people you can find,
delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided
upon is being carried out." -President Ronald Reagan
5) Don’t let insecurity keep you from giving
power to others.
“Only secure leaders give power to others.” John Maxwell
Give the next generation leaders resources, encouragement,
and credit. See the best in them, and inspire them to reach their potential.
6) Learn from our highest authority who gave
up his position to reach out to us.
“but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being
born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7
And then empowered us
to carry out the mission.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you
always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
To think about:
1)
Do you consistently ask yourself the question, “who
is next in line”?
2)
Are you preparing the next generation leaders? Will
your corporation, organization, small group or ministry survive beyond you?
3)
What’s keeping you from passing the baton?
