One of the leaders’ most important responsibilities is setting their followers up for success.
Years ago, my boss at the time assigned me an important project. I asked if he had any specific requirements, but he said, “No, just run with it. Do what you think is right.”
Being young, eager, and wanting to impress the boss, I worked on his project late into the night for several days. Then, proud of what I had accomplished, I arranged a meeting to show him what I had done.
He took a 30-second look at my work and said I should have called so and so for input. I should have done this. I should have done that.
All the work I did, the late-night hours, was a complete waste of my time and effort. I doubt, at that moment, I could have felt any worse.
It turns out my boss did have specific requirements for the project; he just didn’t tell me what they were.
Instead of setting me up for success, my boss had set me up to fail.
This is NOT how smart leaders lead. Instead, smart leaders do everything they can to set their followers up for success.
Jesus Set the Disciples Up for Success
In the Gospel of Luke, Luke recounts the process Jesus used as he prepared 72 disciples and sent them out into neighboring towns to spread the Good News. Jesus set the disciples up for success in eight ways.
1. Selection of the Right People
Among Jesus’ followers were 72 disciples trained by Jesus. Jesus specifically appointed these 72 disciples to take the Good News to the towns and cities ahead of Him (Luke 10:1).
The first step in setting followers up for success is selecting the right people. So Jesus selected well-trained people and gave them a specific assignment.
2. Assigned Pairs to Work Together
Next, we note how Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs (Luke 10:1). Jesus understood the difficulties and challenges they would face on this assignment, so he paired the disciples up as He sent them out.
Smart leaders create teams and support networks. It can be lonely and discouraging to work alone. Working in a group will boost morale even if it is only one other person. Also, people working with diverse skill sets can help each other. Where one person struggles, another may be quite proficient. They can help each other and are stronger together.
3. Empowered for the Work
Jesus specifically empowered the disciples for the work (Luke 10:2-3). He told them that even though the workers were few, the harvest was great. So, Jesus said, “Go. I am sending you out like lambs among wolves!”
Smart leaders empower their followers by delegating the authority and responsibility to complete the work.
4. Tell Me What to Do
Then, Jesus gave specific instructions to the disciples for what to do when they started. (Luke 10:4). First, Jesus told them not to take a purse or extra clothes (Luke 10:4). Second, Jesus told them to go to homes and towns where they were received openly (Luke 10:5, 8). Third, Jesus told them to be content with whatever provisions they received. And fourth, Jesus told them to heal the sick and preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God (Luke 10:9)
The fourth step in setting followers up for success is to be very specific about what to do as your followers go to work.
5. Tell Me What Not to Do
Once Jesus told the disciples what to do, he followed up with instructions about what not to do (Luke 10:7). The disciples were told not to move from house to house but to stay where they were originally welcomed.
Knowing what to do is important for any team working on a project, but just as valuable to the team is knowing what not to do. The “guardrails” of what to do and what not to do keep the project focused and on course.
6. When Facing Rejection
Jesus knew the disciples would face barriers to completing the task He gave them. Mainly because of outright opposition and rejection. Jesus gave the disciples specific instructions for what to do when the townspeople rejected them (Luke 10-11). He told them that if they were not welcomed in one town, they would wipe the dust from their feet and move on to more welcoming towns.
In my experience, any outstanding work will come with naysayers and those openly opposing what you are trying to accomplish. Often, the best approach is simply ignoring these negative people and keeping your focus on the task at hand.
7. Debrief
Once the disciples returned from their journey, Jesus debriefed them (Luke 10:17). The disciples described their encounters and how even demons submitted to them in His name.
One of the most important lessons I learned early in my career came from some ex-military co-workers. They called it an “after-action review.” The team spent time dissecting every aspect of the work, what went well, and what didn’t go well. The point of the debrief is to capture learning for the future. Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it!
8. Celebrate
The ultimate action Jesus took came after the disciples returned. Jesus celebrated with the disciples (Luke 10:21-24).
In our hurry-up, go-go business world, one thing smart leaders do to set their followers up for success is to take time to celebrate the wins. Slow down. Don’t rush right into the next thing without taking some time to celebrate individual and organizational success. Nothing builds confidence and morale as much or as fast as some well-earned recognition!
When All Is Said and Done
If you are a young manager developing your career, you need to look for smart leaders who set you up for success the way Jesus set up His disciples for success. Be very careful if any of these eight elements that contribute to success are missing.
If you are a senior leader, you must set your followers up for success by carefully executing all eight success elements.
More Articles
I have written several articles on Empowerment. You can find them by typing “Empowerment” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are several of my favorites.
- #302: My Super-Secret Plan to Integrate My Faith into the Workplace
- This is actually a series: #302, 307, 311, 315, 324, 333, 337, 341, 346, 350.
- #048: Ten Tips for Building an Empowered Organization
- #032: Are You A Leader Empowered by Grace?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you worked for leaders who set their followers up for success in this way? Were they as effective or more effective than leaders who didn’t take the time to set their followers up for success?
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Category: Skill | Empowerment
In the police department we often looked closely at personnel assignments during six month shift changes. Sometimes unhealthy cliques would form. So we would break up some shifts to place better performing officers with under performing officers. Assigning the right pairs to work together was very important. We also did debriefs after every major incident, to see what went right and wrong.
I never thought about it, but I imagine it is very easy for cliques to form in police departments. So much depends on being able to trust your team with your life every day! Switching up assignments no doubt helped younger officers learn a variety of ways of dealing with situations. Makes great sense!
Amazing story and the fact that your boss was not supportive to help you meet the project goals. When I think back, I just did the task with my own knowledge. Later, I learned to tap into other resources and get help. And most specifically I asked a lot questions like who would get the results and why they need it and who is it for?
When you look at the scripture as you outlined, Jesus was supportive and specific. Something we can follow.
I love the fact that you learned to seek out other resources and ask a lot of questions. That was a key discipline for me to learn as well!
Great article, Ron, thank you!
Thanks. Dave!