To View the Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pE0ASO-o7wY
SHOW NOTES
Welcome to a new week of the Hope Rescue Podcast. This week Tim is talking with his brother Phil about the topic of leadership. Phil has had many leadership roles in the past, and has learned a great deal about how to be a humble and effective leader. Keep reading or listening to hear the discussion.
Phil Scott has been in a position of leadership many times in his life, including being a leader in his home, to his children, in his church, in his military career, and in business. The last job Phil had involved 1,500 employees under his leadership. The first question Tim asks Phil is, "What is the difference between a leader and the action of leadership?" Phil explains that a leader is sometimes just by position. A person can have no skill but be granted the position of leader over others. On the other hand, leadership is the ability of a leader to motivate and engage people. Just because someone is in a position of leadership does not mean they are good at leading others. One can actually do a great deal of damage by performing poorly in a leadership position, whether in the home or in business. A person can also have incredible leadership skills but not be in a position of leadership.
Phil explains that having leadership-minded parents really helped shape him into the leader he is today. His dad was a pastor and taught him how to treat people ethically and put others before himself. Although it was nerve-wracking at times stepping into roles of leadership, Phil always felt like a natural leader because of his upbringing.
Next, Tim asks Phil the question, “What is the most important character trait of a leader?” To answer the question in short, Phil says that humility is the number one character trait of a leader. He backs up his answer by quoting Philippians 2:1-8 which says, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Phil strongly emphasizes that servant leadership is the best philosophy for a person in leadership to embrace. Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy in which the main goal of the leader is to serve. This is different from traditional leadership where the leader's main focus is the thriving of their company or organizations.
Tim says, “Leaders that are focused on their position are not leaders like Christ. Christ had the position of full equality with God, but He took on the humble form of a servant.” That is the ultimate step down. Many leaders don't share the glory of accomplishment, but that is the exact opposite of what Jesus did. In his many roles of leadership, Phil has always emphasized that any award he was given could not have been accomplished without the hard-working individuals below him. By leading with humility, a leader is more focused on the needs of the people below him than his own needs.
Phil and Tim wrap up the podcast by sharing Phil’s 10 top tips to being a successful leader:
Have an unwavering courage based on your self confidence. Like it's been said, if you don't have a target you'll miss every time. Create a bullseye and believe in it. If you truly believe in what you are doing, you will inspire those under you to help you achieve your goals.
Have self-control. It’s important to know when to restrain your speech and simply listen. Even though the pressure is high for leaders, the people under you need to know you are in control when things don't go according to plan.
Be a fair leader. Phil explains that he has had to terminate many people over his years of leadership. He always knew going into these termination meetings that he wanted to help the employee understand why they were being let go and allow it to be a learning experience for him or her. He never wanted an employee to leave a termination meeting embarrassed, and he wanted him or her to walk out with their head held high.
Don’t wait for the perfect answers to make a decision. You will lose your edge if you are constantly waiting and searching for the perfect answer to every situation. Don't be afraid to make a decision.
Have a plan. Without a plan for how you want to conduct business or achieve a goal, you will never arrive at a destination.
Be willing to do more than anyone else. Phil explains that he never would require someone to do something that he wasn't willing to do himself. Model the way for your employees.
Be a likable person. If your employees like you, they will want to please you with their performance.
Be sympathetic. Have sympathy for what others are going through, even if you don't fully understand their life experiences.
Pay attention to detail. As a leader, you cannot let details fall through the cracks.
Assume the responsibility. If something goes right, be sure to recognize the people who were involved in creating the success. If something goes wrong, it needs to stop with the leader. Many leaders take the credit when things go well and blame others when things go poorly, but Phil emphasizes doing the exact opposite.
Thanks for joining us on another week of the Hope Rescue Podcast. If you are looking for a helpful book on the topic of leadership, Tim recommends "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't" by James C. Collins. Feel free to email us at info@hoperescue.org with any questions or comments.
QUOTES
“Leaders that are focused on their position are not leaders like Christ. Christ had the position of full equality with God, but He took on the humble form of a servant.” -Tim
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Philippians 2:1-8 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
