Letting Go is Letting Grow

If you pay close attention to them, children will teach you all sorts of things about life and leading. Here’s an example.

Our almost-11-year-old granddaughter, Button, has been staying with us for a few weeks during her Summer Break. The other day, our neighbors asked her to water their plants while they went off for a few days. She agreed, especially when they offered to pay her to do so. I’m trying to teach her the value of work, so it seemed a good way to teach her that there’s more value when you work for something than when it’s just given to you. The neighbor “trained” her up as to what Button needed to do and all was good to go.

The first evening Button had to go over to water the plants I went with her, of course. Opa isn’t gonna let his baby go anywhere alone. We went over and she started her process. It was good, but man some moments were difficult. Here’s where supervision and leading come into play. I know you’ve been there.

As I watched her do her job, I noticed ways that she could do it more efficiently. Look, I’ve been there and done that. I know you’ve said that, too. It would have been so easy to take over and do it for her. This is my baby! She shouldn’t have to work so hard. And I can have it done in at least half the time, that way she can go play Barbies. You know what I mean, right?! Well, being the leader/teacher that I am, and admonish others to be, I, instead, asked her specific questions about how she might be more efficient. She had the right answers every time, which made me proud. And she did take the hints I offered. She learned a lot and got the job done. The next time we went over, she remembered how she’d improved her process and followed suit. Again, proud Opa right here! But the letting go, was tough.

Here’s the point: letting go is letting grow, whether it’s with our kids or our followers. Again, I know you’ve been there. We’re no different except that I got there a long time before you did. I’ve taken over a task or ten from one of my followers just to get it done. I have a lot more experience and knowledge, by God! But that doesn’t help the follower who is trying to learn, trying to grow. And learning to learn is very powerful. If we always give them the answers, they won’t even discover the questions. We have to let them think things out in their time so that they can own the learning and the growing processes.

The neighbors were very happy with the work Button did for them. They insinuated that I’d helped. Nope, I told them. I just watched and learned…to let her learn and grow on her own. As you might imagine, I’m very proud of my baby, and I’m even proud of myself for learning to let her grow on her own. We’re both better for it. Letting go is letting grow.

Until next time, Be GREAT! You ARE!

¡HEIRPOWER!

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