Nurture Leadership

Today, I am writing as a contributor to the Christian Writers Blog Chain. The theme for May is “Nurture.” If you are a Christian author or writer, be sure to check out Christianwriters.com to network with others.

You’re an excellent leader. You’re rocking it out.

Your team is awesome. They’re willing to follow you anywhere.

You’ve got it made.

Image By David Masters

You know what you’ve got to do to create great leadership.

It requires influence, persistence, a following.

And don’t forget it requires nurturing. Yup, that’s right, nurturing.

You need to practice Nurture Leadership.

Eventually you can get into the nuts and bolts of reality: nurturing, caring, and getting along.
– Jody Watley

Dictionary.com defines nurturing, as a verb, in three ways. Each definition plays into your role as a leader.

1. To feed and protect:
   As your team is growing, you will have to feed them and protect them.
    
   Seek out the best reading materials that you can. Give it to them. Walk through the material with them.

   Give them your guidance and advice. Feed them with your knowledge.

   Watch over them as they’re growing. They’ll make mistakes. Let them but be willing to step in and protect them from a deadly mistake.

2. To support and encourage:
   You’re the head of the team. They look up to you.
    
   Be ready and willing to offer support and encouraging words.

   When a team member does a great job, heap on the praise. Let them know that they did a fantastic job and that it is appreciated.

   If a team member falls, be there to lift him up and encourage him. Let him know there will be days where you’re in the dumps. But you don’t have to stay there.

3. To bring up; train; educate:
   This is similar to the first definition.
    
   Your team needs training and education. Be willing to provide it to them.

   Whether it is through your teaching, attending conferences, or good, quality books. Be willing to take part in their education.

   Remember, they’ll be the ones to take over when you’re done. You want to leave a great legacy.

As you progress as a leader, remember these three parts of nurture leadership.

Get your hands dirty and bring up the team below you. Let them know that you’re for them. That you’re willing to feed and protect, support and encourage, and train and educate.

When you’re willing to bring these qualities into your leadership, your team will be able to flourish. They’ll feel equipped and ready. They’ll be educated. They’ll know that they’re appreciated.

You’ll grow a team that is trained and equipped to handle the tough stuff.

Start today by applying at least one of these traits to your leadership.

Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible – the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.
– Virginia Satir

Question: How can being more nurturing affect your leadership? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.