The Change Equation - Leadership

IT BEGINS (AND CONTINUES) WITH SOMEONE
In any group of people, be it a workplace, school, office or church there are some who initiate action or instigate change. It can come in the form of a suggestion; "Hey why don't we..."  or "I wonder if we ______" and let's add, "I think we should......."  These are the catalytic leaders among us, they see an opportunity, an inefficiency or injustice and rise to action, call for something different. They are movers and sometimes they shake things up. We need them, some who prefer status quo, resist their gift and work. 

PROGRESS REQUIRES LEADERS & FOLLOWERS
It's not uncommon to get confused about leadership. In the late 90s and early to mid 2000s a lot of church conferences claimed that everyone is a Leader. Myriads of resources were created and foisted on Pastors and Churches-a lot were good, some were not. In reality, not everyone functions in the lead position. If we were all leading, no one would be following, and nothing would be accomplished. Let's tweak the now two decades leadership assertion to this-Leaders lead, others follow, those that follow lead out in the accomplishment of the mission.

DIRECTIONAL LEADERS SET THE COURSE, DOING LEADERS MAKE IT HAPPEN
A simple leadership principle-to go somewhere you have to actually go somewhere. Someone (the leader) has to determine direction-be it through declaration, relational influence or collaboration-a person has to begin the process of saying let's go here, let's do this. At that point, those around, who are part of the community have a decision to make-do we agree? Are we going to put in the effort to go there, to accomplish, to achieve the movement toward that direction?   If yes, they engage in "doing" leadership.

DIRECTIONAL LEADERSHIP MUST BE STEWARDED
Our natural tendency is to start something and not fully finish it or see it through to completion. The task of the leader is to see it through all the way, even in the face of opposition, delay, challenge and lack of resource.

Leadership: A called, qualified and committed leader navigates dangers, threats, challenges to the accomplishment of the vision-keeping the congregation united and focused and moving forward.

 In Nehemiah 2, we see a great example of stewarding the vision God is giving and shaping  

• Observation - understanding realities and challenges
• Reservation - caution to not communicate vision before it is time
• Communication - unveiling the vision at the right time
• Preservation - guarding and guiding the vision from critics, detractors who want to subvert it's implementation

GUARD AND GUIDE DIRECTIONAL LEADERSHIP
I've read a leadership guru who writes that we should be "mean" about the vision. I get what he's trying to say, but I'd want to be careful to caution and encourage leaders "mean" doesn't convey you have to run roughshod over people to accomplish the task-don't be a jerk, tossing people disagree off the "bus." 

Simply communicate the vision, protect and guard it, encourage its adoption and implementation. Do this in every way possible, circle back to it regularly.  Don't take time to debate critics who want to make you stop-just keep going.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. Are you a Directional or Doing Leader? What are some supporting examples that informed your response?

2. Are you stewarding your leadership assignment well?  

3. Is the vision under attack? How are you responding?