John Stanko

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" - Luke 6:41.

Today's verse indicates that people who advise others must first do some work in their own life and heart to be effective and accurate in their prescriptive counsel. It's been said that a leader or mentor cannot take anyone to a place they have not gone themselves. That means coaches and mentors must pay the price and experience firsthand the necessary steps for personal growth, change, and professional development. When they do that, it gives them the understanding of what they are asking their followers to do and why it's important that they do it. Without paying that price, leaders can lay heaven burdens on followers without realizing the impact they are having, thus lacking in the empathy needed for effective leadership.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to determine what more you need to become an effective coach and mentor. There are many great books and programs on the market that will help you engage your own development as you attempt to lead others into theirs. Is it time to go back to school? Is it time to write your book or develop a seminar? Do you have a coach as you attempt to coach others? What more can you do to gain credibility and skill as you attempt to mentor others?