The Coat Is Big On You

PONDER THIS OVER THE WEEKEND:  One way to be a great leader

My friend, Jerry, accepted a new job years ago leading an organization.  A woman walked up to him after he did his first talk in front of about 100 members of the team, and said,

"The coat is big on you, but you'll grow into it."

Jerry accepted her encouragement and continued to grow for years to come.  He is a strong, servant leader today.  That woman has returned to Jerry to say the coat fits him a lot better.

How big is your "coat?"  (Coat = your responsibilities, professional or personal)

How well does it fit?

Are you the young child wearing an older sibling's clothes thinking you are better than you are?

Are you worried you will never grow into the "coat" you are currently wearing?

Are you wearing the wrong "coat," but are afraid to change?

How can you be a better leader?

For most leaders there is only one way to reach the destinations you have defined in life: 

WHERE:  Choose your destination.

HOW:  Define how you will get there.

WHEN:  Daily or weekly check your map, and adjust your rudder. 

RISK:  Don't get tempted into following a fatal sunset, a half-truth rabbit trail, a shortcut.

On Thursday and Friday, January 12-13 of this year we moved from just north of San Francisco, California to Sisters, in Central Oregon, about 20 miles northwest of Bend.  We split the journey in two, first driving to Redding, California on Thursday.  We arrived after midnight, got some sleep, and finished the drive through snowy, icy roads the next day, Friday, the 13th.

That Friday was the end of the worst series of snowstorms Central Oregon has experienced since 1992.  The temperature was in the 20's as we arrived on schedule at 4:00 p.m.

Jerry got three of his faith brothers there at the same time - Mark, Spencer, and Chris.  They, along with our son Jeff, his friend Ted, and me, unloaded our 26' moving truck, 20' moving truck, plus our Chevy Suburban and Toyota Sienna that were stuffed to the gills. 

Jerry was outside the entire time in the cold.  He was in the trucks and at the cars.  Two others grabbed stuff from him and carried each item across about 20' of ice and snow to the front door.  Four others, including me, worked inside our new home carrying things to the different rooms.

Jerry helped us although his house was partially flooded due to snow damage.  Some of his walls were literally bulging out with water.  His wife, Lois, made a dinner for us to eat the next night and put it in our new home's refrigerator.  She even hung a Happy Birthday sign from the ceiling for our youngest child, whose birthday was that day.

Can you imagine how I felt as four men I did not know worked tirelessly to help us?  I had only met Jerry once.  We had never met the others. 

How do you think we felt in response to Lois' kindness?  She didn't just stand around, either.  She helped my wife, Terry, begin to unpack.  Her warm, beautiful smile and encouragement went a long way to boost our tired spirits.

I cannot describe the joy I felt.  It just hit me in my heart and overflowed warmth throughout my soul about an hour or two into the unloading process.  We were where we were supposed to be.

Why?  Because of the people (Mark, Spencer, Chris, Jeff, Ted, Lois, and Jerry).

After the last item was brought into our house Jerry told our son, Jeff, "You know, I touched everything your parents own."  He was not boasting.  He was hinting, and being encouraging.

Jerry is a leader.  Think of how you serve your people.  How do you communicate brotherly love in memorable ways to the men and women in your organization?

Are you a SYSTEMATIC, consistent role model for the behaviors you want them to have? Do you make certain each of your people are engaged in work they find MEANINGFUL? How often do you communicate the SINCERE GRATITUDE you have for each of your people, in ways they prefer?

Jerry worked a system to get our stuff unloaded and in the house.  He had each member of our team working towards a common goal that was meaningful to us.  He constantly complimented and encouraged us in sub-freezing weather.

We may not live in Sisters long, or maybe we will.  However, I will always remember the kindness of Mark, Spencer, Chris, Jeff, Ted, and Jerry.  As long as I'm in Sisters, I will welcome the opportunities I have to get to know Jerry better. 

Why? He is clearly trying to live what he believes.  He is a leader who is intentionally trying to bless others.  No one is perfect, as in flawless, but Jerry seems perfect as in "complete" in his approach to serve people.

P.S.  I met with Jerry three days ago for our weekly coffee.  He told me the story of telling Jeff that he had touched everything we own.  Then he shared the reason why touching all of our possessions was important to him:

Everything he touched he prayed over, asking God to bless us with prosperity, community, and peace. 

Again, Jerry did not share this with me to boast.  He did it to encourage me.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?  (And me.)

How are you going to encourage someone today? "How can I motivate my employees?" - I get asked this often.  One behavior that always helps is sincere encouragement.

Will they remember it? If not, why not?

I hope our paths cross this year and I can encourage you in your journey.

P.P.S.  Jerry Kaplan is the pastor of the Sisters campus of Westside Church.