“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
By Dave Mazanowski
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Michael Jordan put it another way: “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”
God has given each of us gifts and talents to change the world and to help build his Kingdom on Earth. But none of us has everything we need on our own. To do truly great things, we must work together.
Why do some organizations flourish while others struggle? I believe it comes down to this: the best team wins. And the best teams place people in roles where they can contribute the most.
Charles Glassman said, “We all have strengths and weaknesses. The best advice is to embrace, focus on, and nurture our strengths.”
As a business owner, I discovered that I lacked many of the skills necessary to build a great company on my own. What I did have was the ability to cast a compelling vision—one that attracted highly-talented people. Because of that, we now have an effective organization where people are contributing from their strengths. Ultimately, my honest assessment of my own skills and desires led me to step aside and empower others to run and grow the company. My role is to be a strong founder and owner, which is where I can make my most meaningful contribution.
There are many tools available to help you identify your God-given gifts. I encourage you to explore the options and find what resonates with you. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is incredibly freeing. Life works better when you operate from your unique strengths and let others do the same.
Harry Truman captured this beautifully: “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
Pray
Lord, help us to realize that taking credit for our work isn’t the path to your Kingdom. Rather, it is by helping others use their gifts from you to find success as they build their livelihoods.
Reflect
When we’re holding on too tight to success, how can we find a better path forward?
Discuss
Share about a time when you realized you weren’t the best person for the job. How did you handle yourself in that situation?
Dave Mazanowski is a board member of WorkLight. He lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife, Donna. He is the co-founder of Mainscape Inc., a commercial landscape maintenance firm, and he can be reached at damazanowski@mainscape.com.