Championing Others

What is leadership? What does it mean to champion other people? Leadership has always been defined in a "command the room, be well-respected, serve humbly, care genuinely, take charge" kind of way for me. And don't get me wrong, there are multiple good things within that list that are necessary but as I have developed as a person and learned more in life and ministry, it's become more than that. I feel that it is those things but it's also knowing your people and loving them well so as to set them up for success. This is where the idea of championing others has come into play.

  "Championing" is a word that I have used more in this season of life than I ever have before. In my mind when someone champions someone else, they advocate for them, encourage them, and help them strive to be the best they can be. They want to see people win and accomplish their goals no matter how insignificant or magnanimous they might be. 

    I wish I would have learned how to champion others well earlier in my life. I have both been placed in and worked for different leadership roles in my 26 years of life so far and only recently have I learned what it means to be a champion for others. I feel as though I have been/am a good encourager but am I an empowerer? (Not a word but we'll go with it).  

    One of my first memories in failing to champion others well was my senior year of high school. I am 100% certain that I failed in this way before then, but I digress. It was a Monday (I don't know if it actually was) and we were at basketball practice. My team was made up of 3 seniors, a sophomore, 2 freshmen, and 4 eighth graders. We were scrimmaging and one of the 8th graders had the ball and was bringing it down the court as if she were the point guard except that... she was a post. The only thing I remember saying in that moment was "Guard her, she can't dribble". I'd like to say that was just because I was a cut-throat, hard core competitor but really, I was just a poor leader. I did not use my best judgement, nor did I champion my younger teammate well. I am sure she doesn't even remember that, but I do. 

      Fast-forward a whopping 8 years...now I am in a season of life where I desire to push others towards their potential, and I am learning to lead alongside and not just from the front of the room. I have examples around me daily that I aspire to be like and am championed by people who love me well. It is incredibly humbling and also refreshing. When I am challenged in my shortcomings and also encouraged in my strengths, it pushes me to learn and grow faster. And much like a domino effect, makes me want to be a champion for other people.