Leadership is overflow.

I first heard this in the context of church ministry. “Ministry is overflow.” It applies in all forms of leadership regardless of context.

What is in you comes out.

Your energy.

Your heart.

Your soul.

You.

It is why organizations, over time, reflect their leader.

It can be loud and charismatic or quiet and steady, but what is in you comes out and influences those who follow you.

Who you are shapes those who follow you.

This is why leaders are always learning and growing, seeking to raise their own level of excellence so they can help develop those they lead.

You already knew this.

The challenge is remembering that leadership is overflow.

If your cup is empty, there is no overflow.

Can you lead from a deficit?

Yes.

Maybe.

For a little while.

But not long.

Which is why one of the most important things – one of the most loving things – you can do for your team is to take care of yourself.

To fill your own cup.

Because when there is overflow, you can fill the cups of others.

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish.

It is wise.

It is good leadership.

Filling your cup might mean rest, but it could mean many other things.

Joy.

Peace.

Commitment.

Vision.

Passion for the mission.

Whatever you want to share and pass on to others must be in you, to such a degree that it can come out of you.

Bubbling over.

Bursting out.

Leadership is overflow.