How Secure Are You…Really?

How Secure Are You…Really?

Personal security.

No, I’m not talking about your home security system or your emergency preparedness kit.

I’m talking about you. YOUR personal security.

Are you at peace with who you are personally, especially in your role as a leader?

Personal security isn’t a high-profile topic in the leadership literature; but from my seat and experience, it should be.

Author and pastor Chuck Swindoll said it well:

This reminds me of something about which too little has been said. I can think of few ingredients more foundational to being a good leader than knowing oneself—and accepting oneself—and feeling secure about oneself inside one’s own skin. The scene is nothing short of tragic when an insecure person is given a leadership responsibility.

Need a little convincing? Take a look at the Old Testament storyline of King Saul’s intense jealousy of David and his battlefield success. It’s extreme. It’s not pretty. And it leads to unimaginable actions.

Unfortunately, truth be told, a leader who lacks personal security is a far too common reality.

In short, leaders who possess personal security are at peace with who God has created them to be. They have chosen to lean into the truth of Romans 12:6: In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. They see themselves as uniquely created by God—a work of art, a masterpiece.

Leaders who possess personal security are at peace with who God has created them to be.

As you audit your own personal security, how are you doing?

• Do you recognize and accept your strengths?

• Do you recognize and accept your limitations?

• Do you celebrate the strengths of those with whom you work?

• Do you intentionally make room for the contributions of those more gifted than yourself?

• Do you freely offer up words of affirmation for those in your leadership circle?

• Do you pave the way for others to pass you by?

From there, I’d encourage you to take your personal security appraisal one step further by asking a close friend to offer a candid perspective.

Think about it this way: Arguably, there is no greater gift you give to those you lead than knowing who you are…and Whose you are.

At the end of the day, it’s fundamental to leading with your life.

Chuck Olson
Founder | Lead With Your Life