Four Lessons for Raising Commitment Level, Pt 4

As leaders we want to see our team member’s commitment at the highest level possible. But sometimes it’s the leader himself that puts a lid on an individual’s level of commitment. When a leader refuses to let go and empower his team members he's slowly siphoning commitment from their veins.  People want to be contributors, they want to be trusted, they want to grow and they want to use their strengths to contribute to the overall mission.  So when we refuse to empower them we’re the ones putting the lid on their level of commitment. In Luke 10 Jesus had 72 men who had been following him, studying him, assisting him and learning to do ministry.  Then at a critical point in his mission, Jesus empowered them to go out and do ministry on their own, Luke 10:1 says, “The Lord appointed seventy-two  others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.”Now understand the risk Jesus was taking as a leader.

• There was a high risk of failure.  This would not be an easy assignment.  Jesus warned them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.”
• There was a risk they would damage the mission.   Notice that Jesus was sending them to “every town and place he was about to go.”  He was having them lay the ground work for his future work in those cities.  The impression they would make would directly impact the reception Jesus would receive in those towns. 
• There was a risk the job wouldn’t be done with excellence.  There is no question that Jesus would do a better job than any one of those 72 men, he knew that and they knew that as well. 

Regardless of the risks, Jesus chose to step aside and let them lead. And because of his confidence in them these men rose to the occasion, demonstrated a high level of commitment and took on the challenge.  Lesson # 4 for raising commitment level…Get out of the way and entrust and empower your people.   It’s a risk, but your trust in your team will ignite a fire in their hearts that will inspire them to give their best.