“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.”

— Raymond Lindqui

Do one subtle thing, and you’ll encourage more volunteer leaders in your organization.

Let them lead.

And that takes courage.

There’s a real temptation, especially for the long-time volunteers, to presume that things should stay as they always have. Every annual contest or gala needs to be like it was last year because that worked well. Every weekly meeting should always have the same format, because that’s what’s familiar and easy.

But letting a new leader have some leeway and freedom, restraining from back room condescension, while still supporting them, ultimately makes a stronger, more diversified organization. It’s like a parent who knows that they have to let their child take those first few steps alone so they can learn to walk.

The new leader will take baby steps at first, maybe even fall down from time to time, but with support, he or she will ultimately bring in change which keeps an organization dynamic, strong, and sustainable.

More importantly, the new leader will gain confidence because they won’t be second guessed on minute details. They will learn believe in themselves, that they can safely make decisions, and become more willing to lead again.

And that confidence can be contagious.

Yesterday’s gift of time … For the first time, fed my son’s robotics team supper. The expectation was for 30-35 people which gave me a new catering challenge, but the meal was well-received.