There\u2019s a subtle but powerful shift that separates good leaders from truly transformational ones. It\u2019s the difference between being the hero and making heroes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After reading Hero Maker<\/em> by Dave Ferguson, I\u2019ve been reflecting on what it really means to lead in a way that multiplies impact. The idea is simple, but it challenges something deep in all of us: the temptation to be the one in the spotlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Leadership Trap: Being the Hero<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of us don\u2019t set out to make leadership about ourselves, but it happens quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We become the problem solver everyone relies on. And while that might feel effective in the moment, it creates a ceiling. Because if everything depends on us, growth eventually stops with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Better Way: Making Heroes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The core message of Hero Maker<\/em> is this: That means shifting our mindset:<\/p>\n\n\n\n From \u201cHow can I do this well?\u201d to \u201cWho can I develop to lead this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n From \u201cHow can I fix this?\u201d to \u201cHow can I coach someone else through this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n From \u201cHow can I succeed?\u201d to \u201cHow can others succeed because of me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where multiplication begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why This Matters for Our Team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If we want to have a lasting impact, not just for this season but for years to come, we have to think beyond our own leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our goal isn\u2019t just to run effective ministries, programs, or teams. Our goal is to develop people who can lead, influence, and multiply others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because when we raise up leaders: What It Looks Like in Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Becoming a hero maker isn\u2019t theoretical. It\u2019s deeply practical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It looks like: It also means being okay with a slower short term win for a greater long term gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hard Truth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s the part that hits home: Making heroes requires humility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It means we don\u2019t always get the credit. But that\u2019s exactly the point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Legacy We\u2019re Building<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the day, people won\u2019t remember how many things we personally accomplished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019ll remember: That\u2019s the kind of leadership that lasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discussion Questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Has someone been a hero maker in your life? Share the impact.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. How does shifting your thinking from being a hero to developing heroes make you feel? Do you have any resistance or uncertainties about pursuing this model?<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There\u2019s a subtle but powerful shift that separates good leaders from truly transformational ones. It\u2019s the difference between being the hero and making heroes. After reading Hero Maker by Dave Ferguson, I\u2019ve been reflecting on what it really means to lead in a way that multiplies impact. The idea is simple, but it challenges something […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1329","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-leadership-pipeline","7":"entry"},"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Rachel Axtmann","author_link":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/author\/rachel\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1329"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1330,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1329\/revisions\/1330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/withskillfulhands.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
The voice people look to in every meeting.
The one who steps in to save the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Great leaders don\u2019t build followers. They build other leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mission expands beyond our personal capacity. Ownership increases across the team. Confidence grows in those we invest in. And the impact continues long after we\u2019re gone. That\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giving away meaningful responsibility, not just small tasks.
Letting others lead, even if it\u2019s not perfect.
Coaching instead of controlling.
Calling out potential in people before they see it in themselves.
Celebrating others\u2019 wins more than your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It means someone else might do something better than we would have.
It means stepping out of the spotlight so others can step into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How we invested in them.
How we believed in them.
How we helped them become who they are today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n