It takes a leader to create momentum. People pick it up, and managers, once it has begun, are able to keep it going. But to create it takes a leader who can motivate others, not someone who needs to be motivated. Harry Truman once said: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." For leaders, this statement should be changed as follows: "If you can't generate heat, get out of the kitchen."
All leaders face the challenge of moving their organization forward. Just as every sailor knows you can't steer a ship that isn't moving, strong leaders know that you have to move to change direction. Without momentum, even the simplest tasks can seem insurmountable. But with momentum, the future looks bright, obstacles appear small, and problems temporary. With enough momentum, almost any kind of change is possible.
Inheriting Momentum.
During the transition from one leader to another, maintaining and continuing momentum is the greatest challenge. How was Solomon able to take over the reins from his father so successfully? What did young King Solomon do to ensure a smooth transition:
1. He started with what David gave him.
Solomon's father gave him everything he had to launch his reign: a stable kingdom, abundant resources, wise counsel, and his public support. David made it clear to everyone in Israel that he had chosen Solomon to be king.
2. He humbly asked for wisdom to lead.
Solomon likely became king at about 18 years old and, despite his youth, recognized the challenges that such a great leadership task brought with it. He knew that above all he needed wisdom. So he asked for an understanding heart to judge God's people wisely. This request, made with a pure heart, allowed him to continue the momentum David had built.
3. He made wise decisions that earned him credibility.
Solomon made several wise decisions concerning his enemies. He banished one opponent into exile, executed two others, and placed a fourth under house arrest. But more importantly, he cemented his credibility with the people. The wisdom he displayed in a domestic dispute had an impact on the whole nation: "And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king" (1 Kings 3:28).
1 Kings 3:28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
4. He preserved the peace.
Solomon's bold action against enemies within Israel preserved peace at home and prevented a bloody civil war. He also took steps to fend off other nations that threatened his country's progress — and so "he had peace on all sides round about him" (1 Kings 5:4-5).
1 Kings 5:4 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
5 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
5. He surrounded himself with wise co-workers.
Of all the kings of Israel, only Solomon and David can be called architects of an outstanding inner circle. Solomon kept a few of David's trusted servants in his own administration, but not many. Most of them he raised up himself.
Sustaining Momentum.
How does a winning team keep winning? What sustains momentum in an organization? The answer isn't how or what, but who. It takes a leader to sustain momentum. A leader should take ownership of the following:
1. The willingness to take responsibility for the organization's momentum.
Most leaders gladly take credit while an organization is succeeding, but shy away when the organization starts to stumble. Momentum — positive, negative, or absent — is always the leader's responsibility. Olan Hendrix, C.E.O. of the Leadership Resource Group, said that after three years at the top of an organization, every problem is the problem of the leader currently in charge.
2. The willingness to direct momentum rather than be carried by it.
Momentum always has a direction. Most people in an organization have little influence over momentum; it simply carries them along. But leaders can't afford to surf momentum; they have to steer it. Before King Solomon, his father David was an outstanding military leader who had generated momentum in the nation. Yet Solomon never led an army; his goals weren't military in nature. He devoted his attention above all to trade and building. That meant he had to change the direction of the nation without losing momentum in the process.
3. The willingness to always be enthusiastic and passionate.
Some leaders find this easy, others find it hard. How can a leader stay so full of energy that they can keep igniting others?
- The work the leader does is the most important thing. It makes sure their vision, their mission, and their actions align. It's easy to stay enthusiastic when what they're doing truly matters.
- The people the leader works with are the best. They value everyone they work with highly and expect the best from each one. In turn, they will give their best as well.
- The results the leader produces will be positive. In most cases, they get what they expect. Only occasionally will they be surprised — but even then, they'll be surprised by better results just as often as by worse ones.
Are there leaders with a chronically negative attitude who have been able to sustain momentum continuously? Probably not. No leader can ignore the power and effects of momentum. When they have it, they and their people will be able to achieve things they never thought possible. If not, even the smallest tasks will seem very difficult. It is, and remains, the leader's choice.