Leadership Lessons
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can maAs the CEO of Man Up and Go, I’m always seeking ways to better serve our mission of ending fatherlessness. Recently, I’ve been reminded of the profound truth found in Proverbs 15:22, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed." This scripture has been especially relevant as I've navigated some recent challenges and successes within our team.
Let me share a recent experience. When we onboarded a new group of fatherhood specialists, I had high hopes for them to create a detailed playbook. This playbook was meant to be a clear guide for reunifying dads with their children, built on our core values of excellence, relationship, and grit. However, when the draft came back, it wasn’t quite what I had envisioned. It lacked the structured approach I was hoping for, resembling more of a general idea than a step-by-step guide.
This was a humbling moment for me. I had provided broad instructions, assuming they would naturally piece together the necessary steps. Instead, I learned that my team needed more specific guidance—clear benchmarks and a detailed roadmap. Proverbs 15:22 echoed in my mind; I realized that my initial approach, while well-intentioned, lacked the detailed counsel that could have guided our efforts more effectively.
On the flip side, I’ve also seen extraordinary results from our team that reinforced the power of clear expectations and personal drive. We recently onboarded a new Preservation Specialist. My goal for him was straightforward: meet with as many dads as possible to ensure they don’t fall through the cracks before entering the system of care. I initially thought his goal would be modest, perhaps meeting six or seven dads in a month. To my surprise, he exceeded expectations dramatically. In his first month, he met with 25 dads, and the next month, he increased that number to 45.
This achievement was not just about meeting a numerical goal; it was about seeing a clear commitment to our mission. His background as a former radio personality seemed to play a role, giving him a natural knack for outreach and communication. He understood the core of our mission: to prevent fatherlessness by engaging directly with dads and addressing their needs proactively.
These experiences have reinforced for me the importance of balancing detailed guidance with the freedom for individual strengths to shine. As we continue our mission, it’s crucial to blend strategic planning with the encouragement of personal initiative, trusting that God’s wisdom will guide our efforts.
In essence, leading at Man Up and Go means learning from both the gaps in our processes and the outstanding successes of our team. It’s about adapting, setting clear expectations, and celebrating the exceptional contributions that drive us closer to our mission of ending fatherlessness.ake all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff Ford