Name: Javon S. Legons

Title: Executive Director, Adult Ministries & Ministry StrategyVictory Church

Organisation: Victory Church

Proud alumni of Florida State University. After working 12 years for Best Buy stores and corporate offices in several capacities ranging from individual contributor to people & team leader roles, I transitioned to the non-profit sector and full-time ministry where I have worked since 2017.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Javon's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Overcoming my own insecurities and being confident that I am well able to do what I have been called and created to do.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

By being given a chance to lead. One of the earliest memories I have of leading anything was a middle school basketball team in 7th grade as a team captain. Having your influence acknowledged and being encouraged to use your voice in an effective and productive way is typically all most potential leaders require to get started.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Intentionally.

Most mornings include a short devotional time and a physical workout at a local gym.

My drive to work includes listening to a couple chapters from the Bible, prayer, and a few songs I like.

I start my work day by reviewing and editing my daily to-do list for up to 30 minutes.

My work day is most often filled with team and 1o1 meetings, preferably not back to back so that I can fully digest the content of one meeting before going to the next. I have 3 periods set aside for intentionally filtering through and responding to emails.

Before returning from lunch, I have a quick 2-5 time of prayer prompted by daily alarm.

My work day ends once I arrive home so that I can be as present as possible for my family (this can prove to be difficult at times, but a practice worth committing to).

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

You will always find what you are seeking. If you are looking for problems or things that might discourage you, you will find them. If you are looking for praiseworthy or commendable things to be grateful for, you will find them. Leading is much easier when you are looking for the good. However, looking for the good does not have to detach you from reality; it just gives you a better perspective when you have to face it.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. I have only recently gotten into reading more biographical and narrative-driven content, but this was such a wonderful read. I love how Daniel tells his story authentically and in a way obviously shaped by his perspective which evolves over the course of the tale. This has caused me to grow in understanding the value of my own stories and perspectives. We all have stories worth telling for the benefit of others (and for our own benefit as well).

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

You are going to make mistakes, it is part of the gig. It is going to be ok. As long as you are still here, you still have a purpose.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

Simple story: During the earlier years of my time at Best Buy, I remember NOT getting an opportunity to lead a specific team at a specific critical time within our organization. According to the hiring manager for this particular role, I was too young/inexperienced and too immature to handle the range of personalities on the team that came with this particular leadership assignment. I disagreed. I disagreed vehemently. I disagreed publicly. Worse than that, I was reassigned to work under the person that I lost out on that role too. As a member of the team, my perspective changed. Turns out, I was not ready for that leadership assignment. I was too young/inexperienced. I was too immature to accurately navigate the challenges that this team presented at that time. I was wrong. I had to admit that I was wrong to the hiring manager just as clearly and willingly as I assured them that they were wrong. I learned that my version of the story is rarely the whole story. I learned that becoming a good leader most often requires becoming a willing and agreeable follower.