Danish Nagda, a brilliant doctor-turned-entrepreneur was on the Something Extra show recently. His episode launched last Thursday, and I shared it this past weekend on social media. At the end of the show I always ask the question, “What is the something extra that you believe EVERY leader needs?” Danish said, “Every leader should take the time to really know the people on their team. A leader needs to understand each person’s superpower, (or something extra in my terms) and then that leader needs to be the ‘sun’ for that person’s superpower.” Our teams need the “sun” – not kryptonite. This is where I have seen Greg Nichols shine so many times. He strives to understand the people on our team and then makes sure that each person is seated in the right seat on the bus so they can thrive. It is the leader’s job to set the vision, communicate the vision and then provide the systems, tools, training and other resources for the person to shine in their role (using their own something extras). Out of all of the guests I have had on the show, no one has really stated it quite like Danish, and I just love it.
As I was pondering Danish’s words this morning, I was thinking how funny it is that Sawyer and I just did a little science lesson on the driveway this past Saturday. We drew the solar system with chalk, and then I proceeded to ask him various questions related to what we had drawn. The sun is right in the center of it all and is the source of heat and light for the entire solar system. Without the sun, we could not survive.
There is another “sun” that I personally cannot live without – The Son of God – Jesus. In fact, my spiritual birthday, 4/17, is almost here. On April 17, 1977, I decided to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I acknowledged that I was a sinner and accepted His free gift of salvation. This began a journey for me that has been the greatest and most fulfilling adventure of my life. I am not saying that it has all been unicorns and rainbows – but that was never the promise. However, Jesus did promise that He would never leave me nor forsake me and even through the valleys, He has always faithfully kept that promise. Pascal said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing, but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” Jesus has filled that vacuum for me. In fact, He has changed everything.
John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing.” When we have a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus, He powers our superpowers. He never tries to make us into someone we are not. Each one of us is divinely designed with unique gifts and abilities – with our own something extras. But when we allow Him to power our something extras, He supercharges them. The fruit that we then produce is lasting fruit, which is transformative not only for ourselves, but for anyone in our sphere of influence. Fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Doesn’t the world need more of each of those right now? Plug into the Son and let Him be your source of power and strength. He is waiting for you!!!
