The Year of Discovery for Servant Leaders by: Lyle Tard
Recently, I was on a call with my friend Sara Thingvold and as we were discussing some future endeavors we would embark on together, we got to talking about our year (2019) and the other things we’re dealing with as we roll into the new year. Then Sara said something that has had my head on a swivel since the moment she said it. “Lyle,” she declared, “this is a year of discovery for you!” Wow...thank you so much, Sara!
Many people are talking about 2020 as the year of vision, sight, and clear vision. And sure, it’s easy to make that distinction and parallel. For those who aren’t obviously aware, 20/20 is the term used when you have optimal sight. When one wears corrective lenses, the goal is to have the kind of lenses that allow a person to have that 20/20 optimal sight. But just as my friend Jeff Gross, Co-Founder of Gro-Nova, explains that Empowerment Leadership is the “result” of servant leadership, discovery is the “result” of what is available when we have clear vision and optimal sight. We all are going somewhere, and we use vision to get there. Some of us use our eyes, and others, like Scotty Smiley, don’t need their eyes to have vision and clear sight. The common thread for all of us is when we are on the move, we have a goal, and discovery is the fulfillment of that goal.
In 2020, servant leader, as you focus on your vision, what do you plan to do with it? Perhaps we should look beyond what we see and determine what we will find. Here are some ideas for servant leaders in 2020 to go deeper than the status quo and use your clear sight for discovery.
Discover who you need to invest deeper in – Many times, the person that needs you the most is hardest to see. It might take a bit more work on your part, but no miner complains about how much they must dig when they find that diamond in the rough.
Discover the limits they have been placing on themselves– Servant leaders operate in high levels of character. Experts say that lack of demonstrating character is something that holds us back from reaching our potential. For many, that’s the hurdle they need to jump to get to the next level in their growth.
Discover where the line in the sand has been and cross it – This could be a breakout year for you or someone you serve, but fear is hindering one or both of you. Get in and help them or invite someone in to help you. We overcome together!
Discover when the right moment is to teach how to master moments – The best leaders know the people, events and environments that helped shape who they are. Remember how critical yours were, then help others see the monumental ones in their lives.
Discover how to pull out greatness in them, and how they can draw out greater things from you – Keep your eyes on the prize, servant leader. The prize is them. See tendencies. Notice patterns. You’ll find as you are helping them, your tendencies and patterns become more evident, and they will teach you some things about yourself.
Servant leader, if you are excited to go, but not sure where you are going in 2020, this might be the year of discovery for you as well. If so, I’d love to help you get where you are so needed to be!
Lyle Tard
Servant Leader Catalyst, RBLP-C, Emotional Intelligence Influencer
Lyle Tard is the Founder and CEO of IMPACT Servant Leadership, started in 2018. He has recently retired from active military service in the U.S. Air Force where he served honorably for more than 20 years. Lyle is currently making a difference as a leadership and career coach and consultant.
As a communicator, Lyle has spoken worldwide inside and out of the military community. He has motivated young adults at institutions such as Atlanta Leadership College, American University, Harvard Kennedy School of Government and his alma mater, Ashford University. Just as in the Air Force, Lyle takes pride in leading the next generation of world changers. From universities to businesses to churches, Lyle's passion is to influence the world to realize that "Leaders lead best when they serve."IMPACT Servant Leadership aims to transition our most impactful areas of society to realize that achieving power with others is more beneficial socially and economically than asserting power over others. Lyle is also the primary moderator of the Service is Power podcast, spreading the message that "The Power to Serve, Serves us All."