Are you good at your job?

Are you a great leader? How about a decent one?

How do you know? How do you measure yourself?

Oftentimes, and unfortunately, we hear about managers diluting their team's power and effectiveness because they are intimidated by having strong or talented people around them who may make them “look bad” or “overshadow” them.

That sort of flies in the face of Jocko Willink’s advice when he said, “Use your leadership to build an awesome team.” You can’t build an awesome team if your ego or insecurities are evicting good folks. In his book Fight: Winning the Battle That Matters Most, Craig Groeschel said, “Pride is born out of our insecurities.”

Even someone who has Jessica’s confidence may have an inferiority complex if showcasing their best skills while standing next to someone in an elite or award-winning category.

In the mid-to-late 90s, I felt like greased lightning while competing in the 400-meter dash. I believed I was pretty fast until I realized Michael Johnson would have beaten me by nearly 100 yards when he won Gold in the ’96 Olympics.  

Do you want to see and hear humble excellence in action? Allow me to introduce you to Jeremy Ezell.

Jeremy is an amazingly talented singer, songwriter, musician, and leader. He serves in a high-exposure, professional leadership role as the Director of Music Ministry at The Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia.

When I experience Jeremy unleashing his team’s extraordinary skills, transforming a building full of people into an inspiring, collective act of worship, it brings joy to my heart and tears to my eyes.

Watching him lead a congregation and a talented team, you easily assume he’s a confident leader who has his team firing on all cylinders. With gifts like his, who wouldn't be?

While Jeremy doesn’t race Michael Johnson in the 400-meter dash, due to the wide reach of the internet, he does have the added pressure of regularly performing for a live worldwide audience. And, oh yeah, if that weren't enough, he also showcases his talents alongside multi-GRAMMY Award-winning artist, Mac Powell.

How’s that for always having to bring your A-game?

I’ve only met Mac once, and he couldn’t have been a nicer guy. Nice or not, if I were a musician with my own dedicated audience, I wouldn’t want that dude anywhere near my stage. My ego couldn’t handle it.

Leadership isn’t always about feeling confident. Leadership is often doing what needs to be done despite how you feel. Regardless of past success, even without a superstar in your midst, talented leaders routinely experience insecurities and impostor syndrome. I know I do.

Whether Jeremy is leading a group of thousands or having a heartfelt, one-on-one conversation, he exhibits several characteristics of a Sharper Leader in strong and lasting ways. Jeremy's strength in the Lord and quiet confidence allows him to lead and build the best team possible while setting aside his own potential fears, insecurities, or the intimidation of someone else’s GRAMMY(s).

While becoming friends with Jeremy, I have been routinely inspired by his vulnerability, kindness, and persistence in trying to improve as a leader for a team of exceptional talent. I can safely assume his weekly audience feels the same way.

The next time you see Jeremy, please be sure to thank him for his valued leadership!