Last year we went on a family ski trip.   We had fun, we played games, we saw Yosemite, and we skied.  Here is a reflection I wrote and what we did —

As I write these words I am in Yosemite for our kids winter break.  We took them to a place called Badger Pass to learn how to ski.  Can you say process?  There were so many details that related to taking the kids skiing . . . we had to borrow ski stuff, print driving directions, join Yosemite National Park for the week to get in, sign up for lessons, get skis, boots, (and get them on!) and then start the lessons.

The lessons were interesting to me in the sense that they break down the art of skiing into little components – walk like a duck, keep your ski’s in the shape of pizza, using the rope-tow, and eventually tackling the ominous ski lift!  Why would we do all this?  We went through the process all because we wanted our kids to ski.  It was the overriding vision that kept us going all day.

What our kids will remember from this trip though?  Me, skiing, and crashing into the “SLOW” sign going full bore and taking out 3 other skiers!

The people we lead need to know we are with them, we make errors, we are still growing, and we care more about THEM than what they produce.

As you know, a couple weekends ago I had my annual “Accountability/Covenant Weekend.”  It was on that trip that I received a myriad of feedbacks from people who filled out some answers to questions as to “how I was doing.”  One of the people I work with was so gracious and honest — he basically communicated that he needed me to come and “do his thing with him verses have him to my thing with me.”

“Embrace our critics!”  “Welcome criticism.”

I came home on a Sunday and was at the high school with him on Monday.  What a gift was this piece of feedback!  If you take the ski incident and the feedback together — people want us with them (highlight of the ski trip was the time together), and they want to see we are HUMAN.

OK, here are the FOUR ways to make your leadership more INCARNATIONAL:

1. Let People Know You are WITH THEM!  (By being WITH them!)
2. Allow people to see your “Crashes” and mistakes.
3. Show people you are still growing and learning.
4. Live out that you CARE more about the people than what they produce.

Have a great Monday!

Eric