If you’re like me, you probably believe it’s easier to do a task yourself than to “train” someone else to do it your way. Or maybe you’ve just been disappointed by others so many times that you’d just rather do it yourself than take the risk of the task not being done at all.
“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra
to play it.” I was reminded of this quote recently (attributed to Halford E. Luccock) when someone asked me “Who’s on your committee to help you?”
Wait….my what?
Sure, I asked a few people to help on this volunteer committee, but that hadn’t gone anywhere so I decided I’d just handle the task alone. But then I remembered something I learned back when I still worked in corporate America – one of the best signs of being a great manager is hiring great employees. The same is true with volunteers. If you want them to accomplish a task, you must explain the task in detail, train them appropriately, then let them take responsibility for the project.
But it’s not as easy as it sounds.
So I’m making this my “New Month Resolution” for August – to concentrate on team-building with my fellow volunteers (and employees). Letting others be accountable for a project not only generates enthusiasm and dedication to the project, but it also increases the probability of success.
I know what will be required to accomplish this goal – I must commit to being a good “manager” and provide all the tools necessary for those around me to be successful. And I have to choose the best people for the “jobs.”
In the next few months, I look forward to my projects flourishing – not because of the work I am doing, but because I’ve allowed others to be an integral part of the process!
Tiffany Ervin - From Passion To Purpose 