Systems
ByA few years ago I was very confused on why someone doesn’t call if they can’t make it to volunteer or to go on a mission. I didn’t understand it, I thought everyone called or emailed when they couldn’t make an appointment. The questions ran through my head – why don’t they come to meetings, why do they leave early, why won’t they do this and why won’t they do that? Why do some greeters not say hello and smile? Why do the small groups not last? It made me think that people just aren’t very committed.
Then I was watching Andy Stanley at a Catalyst conference and what he said changed my thinking. He said maybe the system is broken. As I listened to his message, I finally realized I was blaming everyone else when all I had to do was look in the mirror. The things I was questioning were important, but my systems were broken, I was the problem. It was time for me to re-evaluate my systems. I had to take a hard look at what was broken and fix it. I wish I could say it was easy and painless, but I would be lying. I slowly started making baby steps to correct my issues or should I say systems on my team. Eventually it started to work.
So as I leave you today I would like for you to think about something that isn’t working, ie “My employees, kids, students will not _________! ”
Maybe it isn’t them, it could be your system is broken.
Through the course of some marriage counseling a few years ago, I came to realize that I thought I could read people’s minds. Of course, I didn’t literally believe this; but my behavior indicated that I must think it. When people would do things, or react in ways I didn’t understand (my wife in particular), I would interpret their actions and try to act accordingly. The problem was that my interpretations were often inaccurate. Learning this about myself reduced my stress, made me a far better communicator, and caused me to love people more. Now I ask: “Why did you do x?” Then I actually listen to the response, and assume they’re telling me the truth.