Do you consider yourself and your organization a talent magnet? That term, talent magnet is tossed around some in the business world, but truly some pastors, church leaders and churches are also church magnets. While the term is tossed around, it is not always true of those who may claim it or to whom it is attributed.
Liz Wiseman in her book “Multipliers” and Mark Miller of Chick-fil-A in his book “Talent Magnet” both ascribe to a talent magnet as one who not only attracts best talented people to their organization, but also who keep those talented people for the long term.
A magnet not only attracts but also has the power to hold on or to keep objects attached after the attraction. Think of a magnet; hold it close enough to a metal object and the object will be drawn to the magnet, without moving the magnet. This is due to the strength of the magnetic field of the magnet. The object cannot resist being drawn to the magnet and it remains attached to the magnet.
It is easy to attract top talent for your organization. Money is a good attractant in our society. While money may attract, it is not a magnet. If you can offer enough money to hire a person of top talent, someone else can offer more money to attract them away. Money is not a magnet. A nice newer facility is certainly an attractant. Yet facilities, no matter how new or technology advanced, are not magnets. Facilities carry no power to hold talent or attach people.
Often in the church we consider how profile, high power preachers or new, state of the art facilities can be a magnet that will draw men and women to our church. In the church and in any religious organization the need to be a talent magnet is to be able to attract and attach people to Jesus Christ. He said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me.”
To be a talent magnet ourselves, we must surrender all our self-reliant motives and desires. Surrendering our own, personal desires and wants to Christ and seeking to assist every person in our organization (church) to continually reach for his/her greatest potential will allow God to build us and our church into a talent magnet organization for His cause, the greatest cause in the world. A talent magnet acts selflessly, providing resources, encouragement, and avenues for every person to grow and excel beyond even the leaders of the organization (church). This is the attaching power of the magnet.
Are you willing and ready to surrender your position over to Christ and allow Him to draw you closer to Him so that He can reach others and grow them to their greatest potential? Attract and Attach as a Magnet!
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.