In the first Christmas story, there’s a moment we all know: Mary and Joseph arrive in
Bethlehem after a long, grueling journey—while Mary is pregnant and ready to give birth—only to be told repeatedly, there’s no room at the inn. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? If people truly understood what was about to happen, would they have made room? Would they have paused, reconsidered, and realized the significance of the moment?
It’s easy to see things clearly in hindsight. But this story raises an important question for leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs: Are you making space for what really matters right now?
What Are You Overlooking?
Leadership isn’t just about strategy and execution. It’s about awareness—both of yourself and others. So, take a moment to ask yourself:
• Is there someone or something in your life that you’ve not made space for?
• Are you dismissing ideas, opportunities, or people because they don’t fit your current perspective?
• Have you written off someone before truly hearing their story?
Sometimes, our blind spots aren’t intentional; they’re simply the result of being too focused on what’s familiar or what feels efficient. But those blind spots could cost you valuable relationships, fresh ideas, or even a chance to grow as a leader.
The Cost of Not Making Room
I’ve experienced this firsthand. Much of my life, I’ve felt like I was fighting to be seen, understood, or believed in. Often, I found myself on the other side of people who wouldn’t make room—who dismissed me without understanding my story. That experience taught me an important lesson: the value of believing in others, even when they don’t fit your preconceptions.
But it’s not just about others. What about the ideas, opinions, or perspectives that challenge your own? Are you so set in your thinking that there’s no room for growth? Being narrow-minded might feel comfortable, but it limits your ability to innovate, connect, and lead effectively.
How to Start Making Room
Making room means practicing grace—not just for others, but for yourself as well. It’s about creating space in your life, your leadership, and your mindset for things (and people) that don’t immediately fit.
Here’s how you can start:
1. Pause before dismissing. The next time you’re quick to reject an idea or someone’s input, take a moment to ask why. Are you resisting because it’s genuinely unhelpful, or because it feels unfamiliar?
2. Listen to the stories. Seek to understand the people around you. Everyone has a story, and hearing it could change your perspective.
3. Challenge your assumptions. Regularly evaluate whether your habits, systems, or opinions are serving you—or just keeping you stuck in old patterns.
4. Extend grace. Give others—and yourself—the benefit of the doubt. Growth happens when we allow space for the unexpected.
Who knows? By making room, you might find that others start making room for you, too. Leadership is a two-way street, and the grace you extend often comes back to you in unexpected ways.
So, what’s one way you can make room this week? For a person, an idea, or a story you’ve overlooked? The impact may not be as monumental as that first Christmas, but it could be just as significant in your life and leadership.
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