Learn Up. Train Down.

There is a great scene in "We Were Soldiers" where Mel Gibson says; "Learn the job of the man above you, and teach your job to the man below. We will be landing under fire gentlemen... Men will die."

It has been said that the measure of a great leader is this, that in his or her absence, the organization will continue to function in precisely the same manner. This is both honoring to the leader, and terrifying as well.

I remember telling my leaders that if we get to the point where someone else can run this organization better than me, I will happily step aside. I said that because I believed (rightly so) that the organization was the most important thing. But, did I actually believe that I would step aside? Of that, I am not so convinced… It sounded like a dignified statement from me as their leader, but each time I said it I trembled inside.

It’s kind of the same as confidently saying that we could die for our faith. Easy to say when the chances are slight that we will ever be tested in that manner. Each of us hopes that it is the truth, but we will never know unless put to the test.

Learning Up

Learning up is easy for many of us. In fact, we see it as preparation for promotion. I remember the moment I knew I would be moving into my current position, I made every effort to learn the job of my DoM. I went with him to meetings, learned from him, asked him questions, and prepared to take his place. His allowing of me to learn from him said more about his character than it did mine. I wonder if he ever hesitated to teach me when he knew I desired to replace him? I doubt it. He understood the second principle, Train Down.

Train Down

The transformational leader trains his direct reports to fill his shoes. A nominal leader avoids training others in their skills. The reason is most often a fear of being replaced or deemed unnecessary. However, when the transformational leader understands that the organization is the priority, he will allow others to learn what they need to learn to advance the missional causes of the whole. If this means that he becomes unnecessary, than so be it.

HOWEVER…

Most of the time, the resulting team building and empowerment leads to the solidifying of the leader in his position to lead the group or team. In other words, true value is found in that leader. He becomes indispensable.