Have you ever felt like you needed guidance in work or life? Have you ever felt aimless or even purposeless even though your life was going quite well? You have enough money and are living fairly comfortably, but something is missing.
Recently I was watching the movie Minions again with my children. In that movie these little yellow creatures who wear denim overalls live their lives following the most evil “master” they can find. They reach a point where they have no “master,” but are living a very comfortable life together. It hits them that they need something bigger than them to live for other than their personal pleasure.
Enter Kevin, Stewart, and Bob who venture into the unknown to find the most evil master they can find for their clan to serve.
As I watched this movie with my boys it occurred to me we are all little minions looking for a greater purpose and even a guide to help us along that journey. Of course we are not looking for the most evil person, but we do have a part of us that wants someone further along the journey to guide us or something bigger to live for.
As leaders we need to provide that bigger purpose for those we lead. As a parent we need to step back and look at why we do what we do and provide our children with greater purpose. I know I have to often step out of the busyness to reflect on why we parent the way we do. I have to do the same at work to make sure I am not bossing people around, but giving them a greater purpose for some of the seemingly monotonous work they are expected to perform.
As people we are just as simple as minions who live in community, but want to follow someone or something living for something greater. We may need a mentor who is someone who is more experienced at what we want to become great at and can guide us along the path. Maybe we need a coach who will help us by coming alongside us and helping ask the crucial questions that will help us grow to fulfill our purpose.
Former NFL Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy in his book The Mentor Leader said: “Mentor leadership focuses on building people up and building leaders for the next generation.” We are in one part of that equation. We either are at a place to be building others up or we are that upcoming generation that needs someone to come alongside us and show us how to not just be successful, but significant.
Are you like Kevin, Stewart, and Bob looking for a leader to follow? Are you simply looking for that wise mentor to help you on the journey or even a coach to come alongside you? Maybe you need to be a mentor leader to others?
There are two ways to live: by giving and growing or by taking and staying the same. When we seek and find others to help us on the journey and do the same with others we will continue to grow to fulfill our purpose. What do you need today?
