FOLLOW THE LEADERourselves that good leadership is like good parenting. Wise leaders have
learned what wise parents understand – that their primary job is to
“work themselves out of a job.” Unfortunately, many parents create an
unhealthy dependency upon themselves. They do not adequately prepare
their children to “stand on their own two feet” and “carry their own
load.” Because of their own “need to be needed,” they create a prolonged
dependency that ultimately retards and cripples the child. Ultimately the
relationship becomes confining and cumbersome to both – and resented
by both. Fred Smith refers to this unhealthy, prolonged dependency
as “hostile dependence.” He wisely points out: “Dependence can create
hostility...Hostile dependence happens when a person is dependent
and angry about it.”^26 A parent has only done his or her job when they
have “worked themselves out of a job.” Prolonged dependency causes a
relationship to become hostile – rather than healthy, holy, and happy.
Unfortunately, many leaders never grow to understand this principle
of parenting and partnership leadership. Due to their own insecurity and
immaturity, they try to create a lifelong dependency upon themselves. They
act as though they are going to be around forever! Every good leader –
just like every wise parent – will one day give up that role of leadership
and headship. It will either happen by growth, individuation, or death.
Maturing leaders understand the importance of passing on leadership to
others. Let me share a few compelling quotations about the importance of
leadership legacy, or passing on the baton of leadership.
- John Maxwell refers to this as the “Law of Legacy.” He
summarizes it this way: “A leader’s lasting value is measured
by his succession.”^27 - John Maxwell also says: “A legacy is created only when a
person puts his organization into the position to do great things
without him.”^28 - Oswald Sanders points out: “The true test of a person’s
leadership is the health of the organization when the organizer
is gone.”^29 - Fred Smith notes: “Dictators do not develop strong leaders
for succession.”^30