How much change is in YOUR pocket?
A concept that has stuck with me for years is the image of change in your pocket. John Maxwell used to tell us to make sure we collected change for our pockets because there was going to be times as a leader when we needed to give some of it back.
What he meant was, as a leader, I needed to do things that put that “change in my pocket”. Call it goodwill, trust, or influence. The idea was that I needed to do things to serve others – simply be kind in my response, solve problems, encourage them, equip and empower, or other things that would provide some benefit to them. By doing so, I put the proverbial “change” in my pocket.
Why did I want to do this? As a leader, it did two things for me. First, if provided influence in their lives. Assuming I was leading for their good, it helped establish myself as more of a leader with them, obviously benefiting whatever I was leading. Second, it provided some relief when I screwed up (which is inevitable as a leader)…because that’s when I would need to take out some of that change and offer it back to them because of my mistake.
I often think of this little metaphor as I interact with others, and as I try and lead them. I want to lead for their good, and my attitude, actions and words are very important. Am I leading in a way that collects change in my pocket for when I need it as a leader? Or am I trying to lead with empty pockets?
As I interact with others, I want to be putting change in my pocket by the way I lead. How about you?
I think this also works as a personal metaphor. We all have intangible bank accounts (time, energy, emotional reserves). It would seem it would be a good idea to have a low balance threshold (change in our pocket) so that we don’t overdraw our accounts. Not in a sense of not being “all in” but more as you’ve described it: wisely saving pennies so that you have something to draw from when needed.