Again we share the insightful thoughts of entrepreneur David Kier, owner of DFS Feeds and an IBEC board member. His thoughtful wisdom reveals an important concern for Business as Mission start-ups: do we emphasis the entrepreneurial leader at the expense of the business builder? This is Part 1 of a two part series on the importance of a team in a business start up.
“The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.
It is enough for students to be like their teachers and servants like their masters.”
Matthew 10:24-25 NIV
In business we speak a great deal about the importance of leadership. At a recent Business as Mission conference the emphasis was on the entrepreneur, that trail blazer who goes to distant lands to become a leader by starting a business. Thousands of books are written on leadership, but not many on “followership” – except in God’s spoken word written for us. The media focuses on that leader who leads the charge into all kinds of situations. Kind of strange isn’t it? Most of us are followers not leaders. Oh, we are all leaders in some fashion but not all bear the title in the workplace, in church, on the team, and so on.
Not many of us are cut out to be the person who skillfully directs a group of people to become super effective. Let me tell you a little secret: most of us entrepreneurs aren’t good leaders – as if you didn’t know already! We are great doers…but not necessarily great leaders. We’re a frustrated lot. I read in a business book years back that “Inside every business, there is someone slowly going crazy.” That someone is the founder! He just wants to go and do things and build something and not mess with all the details or figure out how to get people to understand their jobs.
Jesus gave a very important principle for life and one we have trouble with in the world that highlights the leader: it’s okay to be a follower. It’s a great thing to be second in command or not in command at all. If you are young, first be an awesome student of the organization and don’t worry about becoming a manager. Learn the culture. Learn the business. Learn the people and in so doing, learn yourself and who you are. If you turn out to be one that can be given the charge over a group of people – well – you will still have to keep learning and be under more pressure.
We all are accountable to someone. One of the greatest lessons learned in life is to know who you are and understand and accept your position in life. Another lesson: if you can’t submit to God, you will likely have difficulty submitting to your fellowman. Follow well today.
David Kier, Owner of DFS Feeds and IBEC Ventures Board Member