I am in the midst of a pretty big role change at G42, and with it comes some lessons learned that might be useful to you too.
Since 2009, I’ve been the behind the scenes tactician at the G42 Leadership Academy, working on everything from paperwork to strategy to curriculum to house maintenance. In the past three years, all of these responsibilities have doubled or tripled in scope, and G42 is now spearheading projects in Africa, the UK, and in the US. I’ve got a great staff to help with these things, but I now realize that I need a new role, a new set of responsibilities. And since G42 is a small non-profit,
I’ve got no one to promote me but myself.
But there is a way to do it right.
Now I don’t mean self-promotion, or to try and make yourself famous or self-important. What I mean is to increase your influence, responsibility, and vision and to pass on your job, role, and authority to the “next generation.” As a servant leader and someone who believes in discipling and training a younger generation, we must be prepared for the eventuality that we have to pass the baton.
I’m trying to pass the baton well. So I want to share with you some ways that I am doing that.
Fill Your Shoes Well.
This means that you have to select someone who is going to continue the work and growth that you’ve invested into a ministry or project. With my work comes pride of authorship and a commitment to excellence, so I’m not just going to hand that to anyone. I’m selecting someone with experience, dedication, maturity, and a work ethic to continue what we’ve started.
Dustin & Traci Suttle, who will be graduating from the Leadership Academy later this month, will be returning this fall (hopefully with a visa) to take over my day-to-day leadership academy functions.
Enlarge Your Sphere of Influence.
Obviously we should be stepping up into increased authority and headship. (If not, I guess that would be called a demotion…) So the reason I am working on ‘promoting myself’ is to allow me some room to oversee the vision and strategy for all of G42’s projects, and to worry less about the stuff “in the weeds.”
That means less time fixing intern houses and paying rent, and more time meeting with leaders and organizations to better develop ministries around the world. So I am beginning the process of phasing myself out of Leadership Academy decisions and more into G42 “Headquarters” decisions.
Don’t Expect A Pay Raise, Expect a Responsibility Raise.
Just because you are promoting yourself, doesn’t automatically mean that you get a pay raise. In fact, as an entrepreneur or someone launching a new project or ministry, your pay may go down for a while. Be prepared for that fact and make sure you have the savings or foundation to support you during the transition. One thing that is automatic, however, is that promoting yourself will entail increased responsibilities. For me, that means beginning to look at the bigger picture, to connect at a higher level, and begin to think in more strategic terms and less tactical.
For us personally, we are prepared in this next season to make some sacrifices. And thanks to our generous friends and family, our family is safe, happy, and fed!
Manage Expectations.
It’s not an easy process to hand over 75% of your responsibilities and tasks to someone else, bring on a new staff members, and to transition to a new work routine. So we have to communicate, communicate, communicate. I have to talk to Dustin and let him know what duties he will be taking over and what duties I am keeping. I have to talk to the other staff and let them know what role and position Dustin will have. And I have to continue to communicate and advise after the formal “change of command.”
Stay on the Team.
Rebecca and I are still committed to the vision of the G42 Leadership Academy and our role as “parents” in the G42 community in Mijas, Spain. We will still continue to teach classes, disciple and mentor the men and women who attend, and host them in our homes for dinners and fun. We will still be a part, even though our roles are changing.
The lesson learned here is, even after a baton is passed, we must be there to help, train up, and provide advice. We are only a short walk away, we love people to “pop-in” for a coffee, and we love what we’re doing. But now, our vision is broader and our responsibility greater. We love it.