8. Relational Transitions
This one is tough. Sometimes we outgrow the people around us. Sometimes we reach a place that the people we serve alongside simply can’t go to. It’s not because they’re not good people. It’s not because they aren’t valuable, important or worthy. It’s not necessarily an issue of character, competence or chemistry, but rather capacity. They don’t have the capacity to grow to the place we need to go.
Next to “higher pain threshold,” this is the most emotional price tag. Whether personally or organizationally, there comes a time that you have to “move on.” It doesn’t mean you can’t still be friends (although this may be the case if the person is engaged in destructive behavior that is negatively impacting you). What it does mean is that it’s time for a transition to occur in what the relationship looks like.
The transition may go from “employee” to “non-employee,” from “close friend” to “friend” or from “regular supporter” to “disgruntled customer.” Transitions can also go the other way. Sometimes they go from “friend” to “accountability partner,” from “associate” to “coach” or from “acquaintance” to “close friend.”
Just know that relational transitions—good or bad—are a price tag of growth. They usually include a wide spectrum of emotion … from stress, to pain, to joy.
9. Relentless Focus
No person, or organization, can do it all. While we intuitively know that to be true, we look for every way possible to dodge it. Focus is a price tag. In fact, unclear vision is one of the inhibitors to progress. It always means giving something up so you can do something better. It requires a powerful blend of clarity and discipline.
Clarity helps you pick a certain vision, strategy or model. Discipline helps you unequivocally commit to it every day. That means you’ll give up lots of ideas. You’ll have to differentiate between an opportunity and a distraction. But the result will be worth it.
When Nehemiah led the Israelites to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, he articulated a clear vision and let nothing sway him. Countless attempts were made to distract him and insult him, but Nehemiah knew he had heard from God. This dynamic duo—clarity and discipline—helped him stay true to what God had put in his heart. It’s a high price to pay, but the price of not paying it is always higher.
10. Patient Delays
I wish I didn’t have to include this price tag. Whether in line at the grocery store, at a traffic light during rush hour or sitting in the airport as a storm blows through, we hate delays. As paradoxical as it sounds, waiting is the price of progress.
Please hear what I’m not saying. I’m not saying we should be lazy or irresponsible. I’m not saying we should sit on our butt and watch the world pass us by. And I’m not suggesting that we lose our passion for our vision or mission.
What I am saying is that delays, setbacks, failures and obstacles are part of the price you pay to grow. Even though we don’t enjoy them, we cannot speed past them. We have to patiently endure—and grow through—them.
With personal growth, this requires our willingness to cooperate with God as He shapes our lives, forms our character and cultivates trust inside of us. On an organizational level, delays test our ability to remain focused and to stick with what’s best for the health and growth of the organization. We have to resist the temptation to run organizational yellow lights.
For fast-paced leaders, patient delays feel like torture. The key with this price tag is to pay it with reflection and wisdom. Reflect on what is happening during these slow times. Dissect lessons in the delay. Resist the temptation to abandon your values, hop on the latest bandwagon or completely jump ship. Choose your course carefully and wisely. This season will pass, so don’t short circuit what needs to happen in it. Your response now will set up what happens, or doesn’t happen, next.
Question: Which price tag are you dealing with right now? What other price tags have you had to pay?