A Humbling Revelation
In a world that glorifies titles, accolades, and visible success, it can be easy to lose sight of the true essence of leadership. Recently, I had a profound spiritual encounter that shifted my perspective from being a self-proclaimed CEO to embracing the role of a manager—a steward of my gifts and responsibilities. This transition wasn't just a change in nomenclature but a deep, transformative journey that redefined my approach to business and life.
Reflection: Titles and Their Traps
For years, I proudly carried the title of CEO. It felt like a badge of honor, a marker of my accomplishments and worth. However, God showed me that this title had become a trap. It was feeding my ego and tying my value to external validations—financial success, social media followings, and public recognition.
In the corporate and entrepreneurial world, titles often become a form of identity. We see it in graduates who hold onto their degrees, expecting the world to honor their academic sacrifices. We see it in entrepreneurs who inflate their egos based on their net worth or social media metrics. But what happens when these external affirmations fall short? When the world doesn’t care about our titles or achievements?
Insight: The Role of a CEO vs. a Manager
God's message to me was clear: “You’re not a CEO; you’re a manager.” Initially, this was hard to accept. After all, "CEO" is synonymous with power, influence, and success. But as I recalibrated and reassessed my life and businesses, I realized the profound wisdom in this revelation.
The CEO Mindset: The modern interpretation of a CEO often involves a focus on scaling, profits, and status. It’s a role centered on leading from the top, making high-stakes decisions, and being the face of the organization. While this can drive growth and visibility, it can also distance us from the day-to-day operations and the people we serve.
The Manager's Role: In contrast, a manager is deeply involved in stewardship of resources, nurturing talents, and fostering a collaborative environment. It’s about being hands-on and ensuring that every part of the business functions harmoniously. Managers are the ones who connect with employees, understand customer needs, and maintain the integrity of the operation.
Breaking Down the Stewardship Principle
The concept of stewardship is rooted in biblical teachings. It calls for a responsible and ethical management of the gifts and resources entrusted to us. Here’s how embracing stewardship as a manager rather than a CEO can transform your approach to business:
Focus on Service Over Status: Stewardship emphasizes serving others rather than seeking personal glory. By viewing yourself as a manager, you prioritize the needs of your clients, employees, and community over personal accolades.
Commitment to Excellence: As a steward, your goal is to manage your resources—whether they are financial, human, or material—efficiently and effectively. This mindset encourages a commitment to excellence in every aspect of your business, from product quality to customer service.
Grounded Leadership: Managers stay grounded because they are directly involved in the day-to-day activities. This proximity to the operational level keeps them connected to the realities of the business and the people they work with, fostering a more empathetic and responsive leadership style.
Cultivating Creativity and Connection: When you manage your business as a steward, you focus on creativity, connection, and character. This approach leads to building meaningful relationships with your clients and team, resulting in a more loyal customer base and a cohesive work environment.
Practical Steps to Embrace the Manager Role
Reevaluate Your Identity: Reflect on how you perceive your role. Are you clinging to a title for validation or genuinely serving your business and community? Consider the impact of letting go of titles and embracing a stewardship mentality.
Prioritize Daily Operations: Get involved in your business's day-to-day operations. Understand the challenges your employees face, engage with your customers, and be present in the running of your organization.
Foster a Stewardship Culture: Encourage a culture of stewardship within your organization. Promote values of responsibility, ethical management, and service. This can create a more committed and motivated team.
Connect Beyond Metrics: Avoid being solely numbers-driven. Instead, focus on building genuine connections, fostering creativity, and enhancing the overall experience for your clients and employees.
Reflect Regularly: Set aside time for regular reflection and reassessment of your role and approach. This helps you stay aligned with the principles of stewardship and ensure that your business practices reflect these values.
Conclusion: Embracing Roles Over Titles
In a world that often equates success with titles, embracing the role of a manager—a steward—can be a revolutionary act. It’s about shifting focus from self-importance to service, from scaling profits to fostering connections, and from chasing visibility to cultivating integrity.
As I’ve transitioned from seeing myself as a CEO to a manager, I’ve found a more profound sense of purpose and fulfillment in my business. This new perspective has grounded me, making me more proactive and aligned with my values.
Let us embrace our roles as stewards, faithfully managing the gifts and responsibilities we’ve been given. In doing so, we build more substantial businesses and become more compassionate, effective, and grounded leaders.
By embracing the role of a manager, you align yourself with a higher purpose, finding fulfillment in stewardship rather than titles. This shift transforms your business and enriches your life and those you serve.
Amen... A great read indeed and enriched with so much truth and honesty. Having the ability to understand our roles in our businesses can definitely bring fulfilment in our lives and aid us in knowing what our calling is in life.... one which involves us doing the Will of our Heavenly Father ""Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness." Psalm 143:10, KJV🙏🏽🥰
Great 😌 read, I know cause I’m the writer ✍🏾 that learned a great lesson!