Read time: 5 min 54 seconds
Would you call yourself “handy?” At 34 years old, while I’m growing, I wouldn’t consider myself “handy.” To be “handy” essentially means you are skilled with tools. In this edition of How To Flourish we’re going to explore how a leader can fill out their personal leadership toolbox and tap into the wisdom that holds it all together.
The Right Tools Make All The Difference
Over the course of the last year there have been multiple home projects that have tested the limits of my handiness and (my patience.)
I met my match last spring when the upstairs shower faucet was loose and needed to be replaced but the root of the problem could only be accessed from inside the drywall. We had to cut into the wall, fix the water lines, re-install the faucet and patch up the drywall.
In the heat of the summer we stained our deck and installed a deck lattice underneath.
At the end of summer, we installed a dimmer switch on our lights up in our home office loft.
A couple months ago we installed a Rogue Fitness pull-up bar between two trees out back.
As I stared at the faucet, I realized I didn’t have the right tools to tackle this project. No saw to cut through drywall. Wouldn’t even know where to start even if I did have the correct saw. No drywall spackle. No scrap pieces. No tape.
When it came to the deck lattice I realized not only did I not have the right tools, but didn’t have the wisdom to know how to fasten the lattice to the deck posts. No table saw to cut the lattice. Same lack of table saw to cut wood for framing the lattice.
When it came to the light dimming switch. I may have had some of the correct tools on hand. But I lacked the wisdom to know the correct steps to replace the old, and install the new without electrocuting myself through the fresh drywall.
When it came to the pull-up bar. I knew I was in trouble when I measured the pull-up bar and the two trees. The pull-up bar was 70 inches wide and the trees were 76 inches apart. No matter how long I stared at the bar and back to the trees, I lacked the wisdom to understand how I was going to make-up the extra 6 inches.
When you lack the tools. Every problem seems insurmountable.
In all four instances my limited toolset and limited experience left me googling and frustrated. Yes, the internet is undefeated in finding solutions. But when you don’t have the right tools, it can be hard to close the gap between the solutions you’re hearing and the problem you’re facing.
The Wisdom To Know
I’m not embarrassed to admit handiness isn’t naturally my thing. Historically I’ve been better with a baseball or pencil in my hand rather than a level or nail-gun. I’m growing through the many opportunities testing my handiness in my mid-thirties.
One thing I’ve noticed over the years - Both my Dad, and my father-in-law are far more handy than I am.
When it came to the leaky faucet - my father in law knew exactly what to do. A day later he arrived in our driveway. Tools in hand. We cut through the drywall, soldered new brass in the leaky pipes with his soldering kit, re-attached a new faucet, and sealed everything up.
Problem solved.
When it was time for the deck lattice installation - my father in law knew exactly what to do. He let me borrow his table saw and a drill 3x as powerful as the wedding gift drill I’ve got that is more built for hanging curtains than building houses. After a few trips to Home Depot for lumber I had a plan and the tools to execute.
Problem solved.
When it came to the light switch dimmer- my Dad knew exactly what to do. A few days later he arrived with a new switch and wires in hand. He had the experience and wisdom to know the proper steps to prevent electrocution. We turned the breaker off, removed the old switch, installed the new, and fired that baby up.
Problem solved.
When it came to the pull-up bar. My father in law knew exactly what to do. He arrived with multiple tools he thought would work. He had “a few pieces of scrap wood laying around” (always a sign you are dealing with someone handy). We cut them to size, matched them up and then used his 3 ¼ inch Hand Planer (look it up) to shave the wood pieces correctly down to size to make up for the 6 inches of gap between the pull up bar and the two trees. Perfect fit.
Problem solved.
Now before you make fun of my lack of handiness, put yourself in my shoes with all four of these projects.
How in the world was I supposed to solve this leaky faucet without a soldering kit? Or the knowledge of how to use a soldering kit? I’m standing there with a Phillips screwdriver and no clue where to even start.
How in the world was I supposed to solve the deck lattice without a table saw? Was I expected to solve this problem with my Craftsman cordless drill alone?
How in the world was I supposed to solve this light dimmer problem without the wisdom of knowing the steps when dealing with live electricity? Should I have just dove in with my crowbar, prying the old light switch off with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind?
How in the world was I supposed to solve the pull-up bar problem without a 3 ¼ inch Hand Planer? A tool I literally didn’t know existed until it was in action on my sidewalk. Should I have just googled it on the internet?
The right tools make all the difference.
Without the right tools in hand, some problems will be significantly harder to solve. Other problems literally cannot be solved unless the right tools enter the equation. The issue wasn’t just my lack of experience or handiess, it was literally the lack of tools in my toolbox.
We live in an era where knowledge is so easily accessible. Google it. Read it. And you’re an expert on it. But when facing real problems “in the wild” without real tools to solve it - it doesn’t go well. We’re left overwhelmed, and burnt out.
In reality I think that’s where a lot of emerging leaders are today. We lack the tools for the problems we’re facing and most importantly we lack the wisdom for how to apply the tools when we get them.
What’s In Your Toolbox?
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of tools every leader, no matter how old, must have in their toolbox to thrive against problems in life and leadership.
Self Control
A supportive spouse
Purpose
A restful home environment
Wise mentors
A community of like-minded people
Life-giving hobbies
The right mindset about stress
A quiet mind
Courage
Discipline
Resilience
Physical exercise
Patience
Agency
Faith
What would you add to this list? What tool matches the problem you’re facing in life and leadership right now?
The right tools make all the difference.
Stay The Course,
