Week 40 of 52. Welcome to Drucker Mondays, a 52-week journey through the new book, A Year with Peter Drucker: 52 Weeks of Coaching for Leadership Effectiveness, by Joseph A. Maciariello. Each Monday, we'll feature a Drucker fan and his or her favorite snippet from the week's topic. (Subscribe on this page.) David Schmidt was our guest writer on October 5, 2015.
Week 40: Individuals May Need a Process to Help Them Move From Success to Significance
THE BIG IDEA FROM THE BOOK: Often people, who have had some success in the first part of their lives, come into the second half with a unique question: How do I make a shift toward significance? Church and nonprofit leaders have a key role to play in helping them in this pivotal moment.
DAVID SCHMIDT'S FAVORITE DRUCKER INSIGHT from Week 40, pages 318-323:
• “There is one requirement for managing the second half of one’s life: to begin creating it long before one enters it.”
• “Executives of organizations who use volunteers should avoid their strong instinct to employ these people (people in their second half) in areas that executives believe are important to them without first determining an individual’s strengths and values.”
DAVID SCHMIDT'S COLOR COMMENTARY:
“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?”
These were the elated words of a woman (recorded in the Bible in John 4:29) who felt known and seen by Jesus—after just one conversation. We can learn from His example as we serve individuals shifting into the second half of life.
Seek first to understand their unique gifting and calling—rather than carelessly force them into a slot or system that is more about you than them. Give them a set of steps that help them move from inner discovery to a role where they find joy and satisfaction.
THIS WEEK'S QUOTES & COMMENTARY BY DAVID SCHMIDT:
David Schmidt is president of J. David Schmidt & Associates. He notes, “The strategy maps non-profit leaders and organizations follow, can become obsolete. We help leaders explore ‘off the map’ in pursuit of greater impact and results.” Email David at: [email protected] or visit his website.
TO-DO TODAY:
• Identify one person under your leadership who needs support to shift from success to significance. Ask them how you can serve them in the transition. Do that. Walk with them until they find a place of significant service that uniquely reflects them.
NEXT MONDAY:
On Oct. 12, 2015, watch for Glen Melin's color commentary on Week 41’s topic, “Where Do I Really Belong?” one of six chapters on “Developing Oneself from Success to Significance.”
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