Aim to contribute
Participate. Be present and engaged. Add your voice and talents to the group’s endeavors. Make your membership matter.
This motto surfaces itself regularly in my life, both in leadership and in followership. I encourage my subordinates to share their thoughts, opinions, expertise and questions. When I’m given an invitation to give input, I rarely let it go unanswered. Even if it’s an issue that I’m not strongly passionate about, my perspective may bring forth a question or fact worthy of consideration.
At times, this commitment to engage has not always been in the group’s best interest.
I recall being asked to participate in a panel discussion at a leadership development forum. There were approximately a dozen of us on the panel. I resolved that I would add my voice to every question asked.
I am certain that not every word out of my mouth was a pearl of wisdom.
I can imagine that some people were eventually rolling their eyes when they saw the mic being passed down to me once more. (This guy, again?)
And at the same time, I’m confident that some of what I offered was useful.
I know myself well enough to say that I can easily struggle to find my voice in a room. Having a leadership title does help me at times, but I can naturally take the back seat in a conversation, well aware of my youth, the limitations of my own experience and dubious about the likelihood of me contributing anything that everybody doesn’t already know.
Therefore, I resolved to make an effort, to engage, to participate, to find my voice and to speak. Although, that meant occasionally mis-stepping or even overstepping.
At the same time, we can’t forget to maintain a commitment to appropriate postures of respect, honor, submission, humility, ourselves being learners and valuing our association with the group. This as opposed to ensuring that everyone accepts our obvious wisdom and expertise or offering the final word.
We may each face new opportunities in our followership this year, but one of the guiding principles remains the same—contribute. Figure out how you can place yourself in circumstances and relationships to do that appropriately and effectively—for your own satisfaction and the betterment of the group.
This article was first published onembracingfollowership.com. Used with permission.
 | Allen Hamlin Jr. has worked with an international Christian non-profit organization since 2006. His role has primarily consisted of providing team development training and consultation, along with mentoring and member care, to multiethnic teams serving around the world. Allen has a deep appreciation for the values and tensions associated with serving in and alongside of cultures outside of one’s country of origin. |
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