I recently returned from El Salvador with my youngest son on a trip to an orphanage that I take each son on when they turn twelve. I remember with my oldest son on one particular day it rained really hard and one of the trucks at the facility got stuck in the mud. They tried to get it out, but ended up digging the wheels deeper.
All the males on the trip gathered around the back of the truck and helped push and push. Slowly as mud flew and covered all of us, we got a little traction . . . then it stopped. We started again and after multiple attempts we got a little movement, traction, and the truck was off.
Isn’t this how momentum with anything we lead works? The struggle is a slog at first, and getting traction is extremely difficult. Just as getting the truck out of the mud would not have even started without someone stepping up to initiate, the same is true with creating initiative with what you lead.
Momentum Starts with the Leader
“Momentum begins within the individual leader. It starts with vision, passion, and enthusiasm.”
John C. Maxwell
No one was going to get the truck out of the mud unless someone initiated. Let’s unpack this idea John suggests by diving deeper into the three areas he says a leader needs to create momentum.
Vision
“Without vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18
You may not be a fan of the Bible and that is ok, but I think we can agree this statement is true. We have all experienced being a part of something without a clear vision or purpose and at some point asking: “do I want to be a part of this?”
Vision is what starts the traction. The car stuck in the mud sees they are just a few feet from the road where they can get traction and go to their ultimate destination. This is vision. The leader must establish the vision or vision confusion will arise as the strong influencers promote their vision. Multiple visions hinder momentum. Just as a rock can’t be pushed uphill from three different directions nor can your vision gain traction unless the leader clearly states it.
Passion
I have a firepit in my backyard. Most of the time I don’t cheat and put one of those quick firestarting bricks in. I pile paper, small twigs, slightly bigger sticks, and then a couple of logs. The fire starts with a small spark, but if I do not provide oxygen and attention, it dies in smoldering smoke.
Consistent . . . steady . . . fuel.
This is passion. Leaders carry the vision and, therefore will be the most enthusiastic about the vision. To keep momentum going as a leader, you must inspire passion in others. Tell the stories of success. Help people see how in small or big ways you are accomplishing the vision.
But be careful. Just as too much fuel on the fire can burn you, similarly, too much passion at the wrong time can actually suffocate your team. Be passionate but be aware that few, if any will be as passionate about the vision as you.
Enthusiasm
The Oxford dictionary defines enthusiasm as:
“intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.”
John Maxwell highlighted this as the third aspect of momentum inside the leader. If the vision you are pursuing comes across as a grind then it will be even more of a grind for those you lead. Anything worthwhile is going to be difficult, but to create and sustain momentum, the leader must find enjoyment in that uphill climb.
Michael Jordan is one of the best, if not the best, basketball players of all time. What made him that? He was fiercely competitive and found enjoyment in the work required to be the best. He had a vision to win championships but knew it would not be easy. He played in critical games while sick and exhausted because of his enthusiasm for the game and fierce drive to win.
Leader, if you are not enthusiastic, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself what will bring back your enthusiasm for what you are pursuing. If you can’t find that answer, maybe you need to either get a new vision or find someone on your team who can be that champion for you to keep the momentum going.
Leadership is not easy, and the hardest person to lead is ourselves. As you look at these three areas, which one do you need to focus on in the next week? Take a minute, reflect, and let me know how you will create momentum with your team. Need help thinking into your leadership in this area? Contact me for a no cost to you powerful coaching experience. In the meantime, keep climbing your hill and lead well!
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