Leaders Focus on People; Managers Focus on Programs
When Christ visited the ancient inhabitants of the American continent (after his resurrection and ascension into heaven), he finished his ministry and was about to leave on another errand. He said,
“But now I go unto the Father, and also to show myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.”
However the people, reluctant to say it out loud, wished the Savior would stay a little longer. They just had the experience of a lifetime and didn’t want it to end so soon. When Jesus saw the longing look in their tear-filled eyes, He had compassion and decided to linger. What follows are some of the most beautiful events of Christ’s visit.
He healed the sick and disabled
He blessed the children
He said a prayer in behalf of the people that was too wonderful to record
He wept out of love for the people
Angels came to teach and bless the children
Reading about this experience reminds me of something my mission president taught me. He said, “Leaders focus on people; managers focus on programs”. If anyone could make a claim on being busy, the Savior of the World could make that claim, yet Jesus set aside his program to focus on his people.
Do we sometimes get so busy with programs that we forget to love people? As a parent, do you get so caught up in a clean house or a trimmed yard that you forget to love your children? As a teacher, do you get so caught up in your lesson plan that you forget to love your students? As a church leader, do you get so caught up in planning activities that you forget to love those you have stewardship over? As a manager, do you get so caught up in running the business that you forget to love your employees?
Don’t get me wrong. Managing is important, and a complete neglect of programs can prevent us from helping the people we are trying to love. However, we must always remember that programs are in place to help people. A parent’s job isn’t to run a household, but to raise children. A teacher’s job is to teach students, not give lessons. A church leader’s job is to feed Christ’s sheep, not run meetings. A manager’s job is to help his or her employees be successful which will then allow the business to run smoothly.
None of us will be be able to lead like Christ did. We don’t have perfect intuition like he did to know when to lead and when to manage, so finding the right balance in our own stewardship will probably always be a struggle. However, maybe we can take some time this week to think about our interactions with others and find ways to manage a little less and love and lead a little more.
