A friend of mine has his private pilot license and loves flying his Cessna. He is also fond of saying “Don’t bother me with the details, I’m not a details kind of guy.” Until he gets in his plane, then he’s all about the details. In fact, he wisely obsesses over details like making the flight plan even before he gets in the plane.
The key is focusing on the details that matter.
When it comes to your:
- Pilot
- Surgeon
- Restaurant chef
- Real estate agent
- Dentist
- Plumber
- Kid’s teachers
You get the idea, pretty much everyone – you care about certain details too.
There is a huge difference between details that are unimportant distractions, and details that can actually change a life. A good leader knows the difference.
Obsessing on the wrong details can make you a micro-manager, obsessing on the right details can make you an effective leader.
- Do you get stuck in the wrong details?
- Do you miss important details?
I’ll let you in on a surprising fact.
The best leaders I know are very detail-oriented in at least one specific area. They don’t necessarily love all the details, but they pay close attention, and they are good at it.
For example, some senior pastors know the financial details backward and forward. Other senior pastors care about and are involved in every minute of programming for a Sunday morning.
(This is not limited to senior pastors.)
What details are you paying close attention to?
Good leaders are not focused on all the details, but they are focused on the right details at the right time.
This is not limited to the strategic elements of leadership, but very much applies to the spiritual nature of your leadership.
Being sensitive to the prompts of the Holy Spirit, those small quiet prompts that could easily be missed or ignored, can often make a major difference in eternal outcomes.
5 ways to help you leverage the right details:
1) Determining the right details starts with discerning the right voices.
The pressures you face as a leader can cause you to focus on details that are not the best use of your time. Gaining relief from a pressure is not a good reason to handle a detail.
Every leader has certain voices in their life that bring asks, expectations, and requirements. You can’t do all of them and still lead well, therefore discerning the different voices makes a huge difference.
Discerning who and what to respond to is not easy, but it’s not a mystery. It requires a thoughtful and deliberate nature that can discern from the many organizational priorities and personal needs.
For example, in your church, which details will advance the mission and help make progress? Don’t follow the loudest voice, do what brings measurable progress.
Or it might be more personal, maybe one of your kids brings you something really small, nothing you think will change the world, but it may change their world, so that makes it a priority.
It’s an art, don’t give up. The more intentional we are, the better we get at discerning the right details.
2) Upholding fierce allegiance to your purpose and priorities over your preferences.
We all have things that we find more enjoyable than certain other tasks and responsibilities.
I have an unusual relationship with email. I’m fast at it and I like to be helpful. If I know the person I imagine myself talking with them, so I enjoy it. Plus, I can “check” something off the list.
That doesn’t mean I should be doing the email.
The truth is, responding to email feels productive and is easier than doing my higher priorities that will make a bigger difference. It’s a perfect storm for a Type-A person.
As leaders, our ability to lean into personal discipline over personal preference will always help us choose the right details.
We can still do the “fun” stuff, but as my mom was fond of saying, “Eat your vegetables first.” (Hey, I was a kid then and I didn’t like brussels sprouts or bell peppers!)
3) Knowing the difference between professional excellence and perfectionism is essential.
- Perfectionistic tendencies are the habits where the extra effort does not create better results.
- Professional excellence are the habits that increase the overall return of effort and energy according to measurable outcomes of your vision.
In other words, high standards increase results, but over-investing in unproductive details will drain your energy and slows down progress.
Candidly, the difference can be a fine line. And it’s not always easy to see that line clearly, so I’ll ask a friend or mentor around me. They can spot it in a second, try that if you find yourself unsure.
4) Your personal growth determines what you are willing to let go of.
Is it difficult for you to let go of things you know you should delegate to others? You’re not alone. What should you be handing off to a trusted team member?
What holds you back?
- Desire to control?
- Confident you can do it better?
- Don’t trust the team?
- It’s fun and you like to do it?
- Something else?
Be careful not to hold on to certain “pet” details in a ministry that prevent the full empowerment of a staff member to lead that ministry.
Years ago, when we were moving into a new and large building our senior pastor asked me to build and temporarily lead a world class usher team. I was on it!! Two years later he asked why I was still leading it. Honest answer, I was having a blast. As XP it had been a long time since I was hands on with a ministry and I loved it. So I handed it off to a staff leader but kept my fingers in a few details that I really cared about. That was a mistake. I needed to let it go in order to fully empower that leader!
5) Elevating human kindness is rarely a waste of time.
As Christ-followers and spiritual leaders, we might tend to small details that don’t look like a good investment of time, but it meets a human need at a heart level. I think Jesus gives us a two thumbs up!
What I’m saying here isn’t throwing the idea of this post out the window.
There are details that matter and details that don’t.
A long-time friend of mine says “If you just made a decision and no one gets mad, you made a decision that doesn’t matter.” (Gerald Brooks – Love you friend!)
Some things really don’t matter, but people always do.
Just keep your heart engaged for those moments that may not seem strategically the best use of your time here on earth, but heaven might see it differently.
Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa?
My blog addresses a lot of the same subjects as yours and
I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you’re interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the way!
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment
but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr…
well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted
to say wonderful blog!
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it’s truly informative. I am gonna watch
out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future.
Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this blog and I’m inspired!
Extremely useful info particularly the final phase :
) I care for such information much. I used to be
seeking this particular information for a long time.
Thank you and best of luck.
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers
would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free
to shoot me an email.
What’s up every one, here every person is sharing such know-how, so it’s good to read this weblog,
and I used to visit this weblog all the time.
Having read this I believed it was extremely informative.
I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this short article
together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time
both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worth
it!
Undeniably imagine that that you said. Your favorite justification seemed
to be on the internet the simplest factor to have in mind of.
I say to you, I certainly get irked at the same time as
people consider issues that they just don’t understand about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top as neatly as outlined
out the whole thing without having side-effects , other folks could
take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Quality articles or reviews is the main to be a focus for the viewers to pay a quick visit the web page,
that’s what this web site is providing.
Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for information approximately this topic
for a long time and yours is the best I’ve found
out till now. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure
about the source?
I do believe all the concepts you’ve presented for your post.
They are very convincing and can definitely work.
Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for newbies. May you please extend them a bit from
next time? Thank you for the post.
Hey there! I’ve been following your weblog for a while now and
finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout
out from Porter Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the
great work!
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Firefox.
I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to
do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let
you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get
the issue solved soon. Thanks
If you desire to improve your experience simply keep visiting this web site and be
updated with the hottest news update posted here.
You can certainly see your skills in the article you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers like you who
are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog website?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little
bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
Hey! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out
pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but
I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any tips or suggestions?
Appreciate it
This article gives clear idea designed for the new people of blogging, that in fact
how to do running a blog.
Just desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.
Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to
keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
For hottest information you have to go to see the web and on world-wide-web I found
this website as a most excellent web page for latest updates.
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine
Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of
any please share. Cheers!
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thank you
Thanks , I have just been searching for info approximately this topic for ages and yours is the best I have came upon so far.
But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you positive in regards to the supply?
I just like the helpful information you supply for your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I am reasonably certain I’ll be told many new stuff right right here!
Best of luck for the following!
Hi! I understand this is sort of off-topic but I had to ask.
Does managing a well-established website such as yours take a massive amount work?
I am completely new to running a blog however I do
write in my journal daily. I’d like to start a blog so I
will be able to share my experience and thoughts online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations
or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!
Great post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our
site. Keep up the good writing.
Ahaa, its fastidious discussion on the topic of this piece
of writing at this place at this blog, I have read all that,
so now me also commenting at this place.
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s
to be exactly what I’m looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content available
for you? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or
elaborating on some of the subjects you write about here.
Again, awesome site!
Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing the other person’s blog link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar for
you.
I do believe all the ideas you’ve presented for your post.
They’re really convincing and will definitely work.
Nonetheless, the posts are very short for starters.
May you please extend them a little from subsequent time?
Thanks for the post.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going
to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really
nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come
back down the road. Many thanks
My brother suggested I would possibly like this web site.
He used to be totally right. This publish truly made my day.
You can not consider just how much time I had spent for this
information! Thanks!
When some one searches for his essential thing, so he/she wishes to be available that in detail, therefore that thing
is maintained over here.
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Safari.
I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something
to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let
you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the
issue fixed soon. Many thanks
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating
it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some recommendations for your blog
you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward
to seeing it grow over time.
Do you have a spam issue on this website; I also am a blogger,
and I was wondering your situation; many of us have developed some nice practices and we are looking to exchange solutions with other folks, why not shoot me an email if
interested.
What’s up Dear, are you actually visiting this website regularly, if so
after that you will definitely get good knowledge.
I simply couldn’t depart your web site prior to suggesting
that I extremely enjoyed the usual information an individual provide in your visitors?
Is gonna be back incessantly to investigate cross-check new
posts
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured
I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa?
My site addresses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit
from each other. If you might be interested feel
free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from
you! Terrific blog by the way!
Very nice write-up. I definitely love this website. Stick with it!
Greate post. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.
Im really impressed by your blog.
Hello there, You have performed an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it
and individually recommend to my friends. I’m sure
they’ll be benefited from this web site.
You can certainly see your expertise within the work you
write. The arena hopes for even more passionate
writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
At all times follow your heart.
Наконец, если у вас есть конкретная игра в виду, вы можете воспользоваться функцией
поиска, чтобы найти ее.
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this
kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website.
Reading this information So i am happy to show that
I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed.
I such a lot unquestionably will make certain to don?t overlook this
web site and provides it a look regularly.
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails
with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Thanks!
Simply desire to say your article is as surprising.
The clearness to your submit is simply excellent and that
i can assume you’re an expert in this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grasp your
RSS feed to keep updated with coming near near post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please keep up the gratifying work.
My family members every time say that I am killing my time here at web, however I know I am getting familiarity everyday by reading such pleasant articles or reviews.
Excellent way of telling, and good post to take information regarding my presentation subject matter, which i am
going to present in college.
It’s an awesome post in favor of all the online visitors; they will take benefit
from it I am sure.
Hey! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa?
My blog covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each
other. If you are interested feel free to send me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the
way!
Exceptional post however , I was wanting to know if you could write
a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful
if you could elaborate a little bit more. Cheers!
Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your
favorite justification seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people
consider worries that they just do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side
effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
Thanks
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you
knew of any widgets I could add to my blog
that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with
something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be
aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think
about worries that they just do not know about. You managed to
hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having
side effect , people can take a signal. Will
likely be back to get more. Thanks
hey there and thank you for your information – I
have certainly picked up something new from right here.
I did however expertise several technical issues using this site,
as I experienced to reload the website a lot of times previous
to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently
affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with
Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and could look
out for much more of your respective intriguing content.
Make sure you update this again soon.
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well
as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you
modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing,
it is rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.
I’m no longer certain the place you’re getting your info, but great topic.
I needs to spend a while learning much more or figuring
out more. Thanks for excellent information I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.
Finding your article has been a pleasure. Brimming with knowledgeable content and witty commentary, which is hard to find these days.
appreciate the effort you’ve put into your writing.
Your post is refreshingly unique. You bring a fresh take that is ignited my interest.
Looking forward to reading what you post next.
I just had to leave a comment. Your posts speak with
me on a deeper level. If you’re considering offering a newsletter, sign me up!
It would be a pleasure to have your insights sent right to my inbox.
Your article resonated with me. It’s not every day you come across a
piece that prompts you to think deeply. Keen to see more of your work and urge you to continue sharing.
Your article was a refreshing change. With an overwhelming amount of information online, it’s wonderful to
find content that’s as enriching and entertaining as yours.
Looking forward to more
This syntax provides a variety of options for creating a positive and encouraging blog
comment that compliments the author’s work and expresses a desire to continue engaging with their content.
Every once in a while, I stumble upon a blog that grabs my interest
because of its thought-provoking articles. Yours is without a doubt one of those rare gems.
The way you interlace your words is not just enlightening but also extremely captivating.
I commend the dedication you show towards your craft and
eagerly anticipate your future posts.
Amidst the vastness of the internet, it feels rewarding to
encounter a writer who puts so much heart into their work.
Your posts don’t just provide knowledgeable takeaways but also stimulate meaningful dialogue.
Count me in as a regular reader from this point forward.
Your blog has quickly risen to the top of my list for me, which leads me
to check it frequently for updates. Each post is like a masterclass in the topic at hand,
delivered with clarity and wit. Could you
creating a subscription service or a regular newsletter? I would
be delighted to get more of your wisdom straight to my inbox
Your unique perspective to issues is truly refreshing, it’s immensely appreciated in our
current online landscape. Your ability to analyze complex concepts
and offer them in a user-friendly way is an ability that
should be celebrated. I eagerly await your future publications and the conversations they’ll inspire.
Finding a blog that serves both a cognitive challenge and
a soulful dialogue. Your posts do just that, offering a harmonious blend of intellectual stimulation and empathy.
The community you’re building here is proof
to your impact and proficiency. I’m eager to
see where you’ll take us next and I’m strapped
in for the journey.
Upon spending countless hours diving into the depths of
the internet today, I have to declare that your blog is like a beacon of knowledge.
Never before have I encountered such a trove of intriguing ideas that resonate on a profound level.
Your ability for elucidating complex subjects with simplicity and acuity is admirable.
I’m eagerly waiting for your next publication, knowing it will
enrich my understanding even further.
In the current age of information, where content is plentiful,
your blog emerges as a bastion of originality.
It’s a rarity to behold a platform of the web that adheres to cultivating knowledge
expansion. Your articulate posts ignite a desire for learning
that many of us crave. Kindly inform me if there’s a way to sign up for direct notifications,
as I wouldn’t want to miss a single insightful entry.
Your online presence is the epitome of what passionate writing should
be. Each entry you craft is laden with actionable takeaways
and meaningful stories that make me reflect long after I’ve left the page.
Your narrative is an invaluable contribution to the frequently crowded digital landscape.
If you have an exclusive subscription, count me among the
first to join. Your writing is deserving of supporting.
I find myself coming back to your blog time and again, drawn by the standard of
discourse you provoke. It’s obvious that your blog is not merely a place for sharing thoughts;
it’s a hub for curious minds who desire purposeful engagement.
Your dedication toOf course!
From the moment I began perusing your blog, I realized it was something extraordinary.
Your ability to plunge into challenging topics and demystify them
for your audience is truly impressive. Each post you publish is a repository of knowledge, and I always find myself anxious
to read what you’ll delve into next. Your dedication to high-quality content is evident, and I anticipate that you’ll
persist sharing such invaluable content.
Your writing is a guiding light in the often turbulent waters of online content.
Your deep dives into varied subjects are not only educational but also immensely engaging.
I admire the way you meld thorough research with relatable examples, crafting posts that are equally informative and enjoyable.
If there’s an opportunity to subscribe your blog or enter a mailing list, I would be thrilled to be notified of your latest
musings.
As a content creator, I’m inspired by the zeal you put into each post.
You have a talent for making even the most obscure topics accessible
and fascinating. The way you present ideas and connect them to
wider narratives is nothing short of masterful. Kindly tell me
if you have any webinars or e-books in the works,
as I would love to learn from your expertise.
It’s rare to come across a blog that resonates with
both the intellectual and the personal. Your posts are penned with a depth of
understanding that touches the core of the human condition. Each time I check your blog, I
leave feeling enriched and motivated. I’m keen to know whether you have plans to
As soon as I began perusing your blog, I knew it was something unique.
Your ability to dive into challenging topics and demystify them for your
audience is truly noteworthy. Each article you share is a wealth
of insights, and I always find myself eager to see what you’ll
uncover next. Your dedication to quality is apparent, and I trust that you’ll continue providing such valuable
insights.
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this
blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem
on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be
greatly appreciated.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I
have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all
I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Asking questions are genuinely pleasant thing if you are not
understanding anything fully, but this paragraph presents
nice understanding yet.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really
useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help
others like you aided me.
Terrific work! That is the type of info that are meant to be
shared across the web. Disgrace on the seek engines for no longer positioning this submit higher!
Come on over and talk over with my web site . Thank you =)
Incredible quest there. What occurred after?
Thanks!
Its not my first time to pay a quick visit this site, i
am browsing this site dailly and get fastidious data from here
every day.
Every weekend i used to visit this website, because i want enjoyment,
as this this web site conations actually good funny material too.
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no back up.
Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
Very useful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for
such info a lot. I was seeking this certain information for a very
long time. Thank you and good luck.
This post is worth everyone’s attention. When can I find out more?
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Your mode of telling all in this article is genuinely pleasant,
all can simply be aware of it, Thanks a lot.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with some pics to drive
the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog.
A great read. I will certainly be back.
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been doing a little research on this.
And he actually ordered me lunch due to the fact that I found it for him…
lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this subject
here on your blog.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog
and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you
write again very soon!
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This post posted
at this site is genuinely nice.