A while back I came across this twist on the serenity prayer…
Grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change,
the courage to change the one I can,
and the wisdom to know it’s me.
We need to remember that our work involves helping others, encouraging others, inspiring others, and leading others … but the change part isn’t up to us, it’s up to them. The only person you can change is the one looking at your computer screen.
Here’s the paradox. When the people you lead see change in you, they begin to see possibilities in themselves. When they see God’s grace at work in you, it gives them hope that the can experience the same kind of transforming grace.
I encourage you, then, to lead first by this simple sentence: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Do you want to see change in others? Let them see it first in you!
I like this perspective!