A few years ago I ran across the “Big Little Principle” advocated by Dr. J. Robert Clinton, professor at Fuller Seminary and author of “The Making Of A Leader,” which is one of the top five books on leadership that I always recommend as a must read.
The “Big Little Principle” is based on Luke 16:10:
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (ESV).
Jesus-honoring leaders are faithful in the seemingly small and insignificant things and don’t wait for the big opportunities to be faithful. Building on this principle, here are some provocative insights from Catalyst leader Brad Lomenick.
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Originally posted by Brad Lomenick on April 11, 2014
Great Leaders Are Committed To The Insignificant
As Leaders, we live for the moment.
The big moments that are memory makers. The home runs. The winning “touchdown.” The deal that launches our organizations or business to the next level.
The significant benchmarks in life that define us and shape us. The times that people will talk about for years to come. When the adrenaline is dialed up and we step in.
But ultimately, faithfulness looks most like being disciplined and faithful to the small things in life and leadership.
Great leaders are committed to the Insignificant.
The making of a leader takes time, and I believe is revealed and refined through the continual steadfastness in the small things.
Our character, our sense of who we are, is defined by the insignificant points in life when no one is watching, when no one really cares. The times when it doesn’t seem to matter. The points where it is difficult to actually finish the project. The pain points when we wonder is this what God has actually called me to do. The moments when it would be okay to cut corners but we stay committed to excellence.
This is where the foundation of faithfulness and our character as leaders is created and solidified. Jesus describes this in Luke 16:10 “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”
BE FAITHFUL TO THE SMALL THINGS.
Perseverance is crucial to being a disciplined leader. Staying true to the process. There is beauty in the process, and we are shaped by the journey.
The process defines us. No overnight transformation. No shortcuts. It takes years to be shaped into the leader God has called you to be. The nitty gritty daily grind of walking steadfastly in the mundane and ordinary that shapes the extraordinary.
Great leaders are always growing, learning & moving forward. It’s a journey, not a destination. Effective leaders never stop growing and getting better. They are curious, committed, and coachable. Always a student and desperate to learn.
And committed to making the small things, the seemingly insignificant projects and assignments that no one seems to care about, the best they can possibly be.
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