In this episode of the Examined Podcast, Jared introduces the '70/30 Principle.' This framework is designed to help leaders maintain their energy and alignment by spending 70% of their time on tasks that align with their natural strengths and passions, and 30% on activities that stretch and challenge them. Jared emphasizes recognizing the difference between what leaders are capable of doing and what they are called to do. Practical steps on how to identify and balance these activities are provided, along with a challenge to audit your time and re-align your schedule for a healthier, more sustainable leadership. Jared concludes with a reflection on the importance of not carrying every burden alone, inspired by Jesus' example.
00:00 Welcome to the Examined Podcast
02:02 Understanding the 70-30 Principle
05:52 Living in Your Strength Zone
08:42 Identifying and Managing Your Stretch Zone
13:09 Personal Testimony and Practical Steps
20:56 Monthly Challenge: Rebalancing Your Life
24:59 Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Topics
Embracing the 70/30 Principle for Healthier Leadership
Whether you're leading a team, a church, a business, a nonprofit, or even just your family, this blog is crafted for you. It's about recognizing the difference between high-capacity leaders and truly healthy leaders. Today, we'll delve into a principle that every leader needs to hear: the 70/30 Principle.
Understanding the 70/30 Principle
The 70/30 Principle is a framework designed to help leaders recover their energy, realign their strengths, and lead sustainably. It addresses the common issue of burnout, particularly for those who have mastered the art of pushing through challenges. This principle is aimed at leaders who feel exhausted despite their love for their work, questioning their ability to sustain their current pace.
The principle suggests that you function best emotionally, spiritually, and physically when you spend 70% of your time operating in your natural, God-given strengths. The remaining 30% of your time should be spent in areas that challenge you or support others, providing growth and stretching opportunities.
Defining Your Strength Zone
Your 70% is known as your Strength Zone, where your natural strengths align with your passion. These are the tasks that come naturally, energize you, and provide momentum. Consider practical examples of natural strengths: if you're a gifted teacher, crafting messages or guiding conversations fit into this zone. If you're a visionary, it's about creating strategies and launching new ideas.
When you're operating within your 70%, you experience clarity, fulfillment, and joy. Imagine if 70% of your week was dedicated to activities that invigorate you. Your energy would be sufficient not only for yourself but also to give your best to others.
Exploring Your Stretch Zone
Conversely, the 30% comprises your Stretch Zone, where you engage in tasks that are outside your natural strengths. While you can complete these tasks, they require more effort and can lead to frustration. Whether it's budgeting, scheduling, or long solo tasks, these activities drain your energy.
Crucially, the 30% is necessary for growth—it's intentional, not accidental. It should be supported by the energy generated from your 70%, allowing you to grow without burnout.
Identifying Your 70 and 30
Discovering your Strength and Stretch Zones involves asking yourself three key questions:
What Gives Me Life? Identify tasks where you feel most energized and fulfilled—your "green light" moments.
What Do Others Affirm in Me? Recognize strengths that others acknowledge in you, as they often see what you may overlook in yourself.
What Drains Me Faster Than It Should? Identify tasks that you dread or procrastinate on that deplete your energy excessively—your 30%.
Rebalancing Your Week
Once you've identified your zones, use tools like color-coded calendars to visualize and rebalance your week. Schedule your 70% activities first, protecting them to maintain a healthy ratio. Encourage your team to do the same, creating a culture that values leveraging each person’s strengths.
Conclusion
The journey toward healthier leadership is ongoing. Regularly assess whether you’re spending enough time doing what you were created to do. Adjust your schedules, delegate tasks, and make intentional changes one step at a time. When you steward your strengths wisely, you’ll recover your joy, contributing positively to those around you.
This month, I challenge you to audit your time, have a 70/30 conversation with someone you trust, and make one change to shift towards a healthier rhythm. Transformation begins with intentional decisions, and it's time to reclaim your joy by aligning with the internal wiring that God designed for you. people in the process. Continue growing and leading your community, and we’ll see you soon.
