In his book, The 5 Levels of Leadership, John C. Maxwell shares the true account of an experience of John Wooden, the great UCLA basketball coach….
“Most of my college players shot for a higher percentage at UCLA than they did in high school.” I played basketball, so I knew it was unusual for a player to move in that direction when going to a higher level.
“How did you accomplish that?” I asked.
“The first few days of basketball practice,” he explained,” I would observe the players shooting the ball from various places on the court. When I determined the place they made the best percentage of shots, ‘their spot’, I would take them to that place and say, “This is where I want you to shoot the ball. I will design the plays to make sure that happens.'”
Coach Wooden would also point out places on the floor where they needed to pass the ball instead of shoot it. In this way, he made the most of a strength (by having them shoot) and turned a potential weakness into a strength (by having them pass to someone int heir place of strength).
(taken from the above mentioned book, pages 155-156)
This story has been resonating in me all week. Here we read a principle that we can apply to so many situations…..
Utilize people where their strengths will shine.
We can apply this to ourselves, our children, those we work with, and those we serve with in church. We each have been created with different gifts & abilities. God designed us exactly in that way. We should not treat any two children or people as though they same. Each one of us is unique & the manner in which we function & shine will vary. Let’s set one another up for success by letting each one participate where our strengths are on display & our weaknesses are well hidden.
Why do that?
In so doing….
- we build each one up.
- we confirm to them that they are important & their contribution truly does matter.
- we give breathing room for each one to grow & stretch in their abilities
- others will be more to venture out into new areas
- we minimize competing with one another
- we all benefit
This is the manner by which we build a healthy family, work environment & church. Paul put it this way in the book of Romans:
Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.(Romans 12: 3b-11 NLT)
Dear Joanne
This verse has always been a good reminder that we have absolutely nothing we have not received from our Pappa’s hand. He even gives each one of us a meassure of faith for He knows than when left to ourselves we are not even able to believe.
Much love
Mia
So very true, Mia.
Have a great day!
Joanne
Oh, I love the idea of each one of my kids having a “spot” on the floor of life! I’m going to pray for wisdom to help them find that special place! Thanks for the neat story. We’re neighbors at Jen’s today.
Alicia –
I am so glad that the story spoke to you as well. As we help our children to find their “spot”, it also helps to minimize competition & comparison. So much healthier for them too. So glad you visited & shared!
Blessings,
Joanne
Yes, yes, yes! We spend so much of our time focusing strengthening weaknesses. Talk about the law of diminishing returns!
You might enjoy Max Lucado’s Cure for the Common Life. He writes in the same vein as you share here. He devotes a section to “training up our children”, and what that really looks like.
I love Max Lucado & have read several of his but not the one you have mentioned. I think I will over the summer 🙂 Thank you for mentioning it. And for stopping by!
Blessings,
Joanne
It’s is good! I don’t have trouble seeing people’s strengths, but I always feel like I need to do everything myself, so I don’t often utilize their strengths.
Great thoughts! Found your blog on the Time Warp Wife.
Lisa
http://Www.thecourageousjourney.com
🙂 Sometimes it seems easier to do it ourselves. But we need to utilize them as it will help them to develop & it makes things easier. Double benefit 🙂 Thanks for not only visiting but leaving a comment.
Thanks for sharing at “Tell Me a Story.” Using our strenghts to accomplish a task is the wisest thing to do. We all have them (weakness) but when we realize our potential to use our best foot forward, then we can bless others as well as grow.
Thank you for your insight and wisdom from the word of God and from a man who followed HIm–Coach John Wooden. I wonder if I prepared my children for the areas where they would shine best or the areas where I THOUGHT THEY WOULD SHINE BEST. Now I need to ask God where He wants me to shine~and to make sure I genuinely love people, not just pretend. He will have to do that in me.
Blessings,
Janis
Janis –
May we seek God to serve where He would have us to serve. And may we ask Him to deposit His love into us. (Rom. 5:5) so that we can love others genuinely. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here!
Joanne