Leadership Challenge

As we all know, God hates sin. But, one sin that seems to really break the heart of God is pride. When we become about ourselves, focus on our wants, or revel in our accomplishments, we just might be dancing on the edge of pride.

If you are a leader in a church, a Christian business, or a non-profit, beware of the enticement to trust in your own abilities and creativity.  Even when God has greatly gifted a man or woman, these gifts are still exactly that…a gift. Thank God when things go well. Remember how He has led and blessed you. Thank Him and trust in His wisdom. Turn to His Word and seek wise Christian counsel often.

Are things going really well? Thank God and keep your eyes open for signs of pride in your heart or attitudes. Stay on your toes!

Leaders can influence in many ways.  The leadership compass includes leading those North (our supervisor and those who lead us), ourselves (the center of the leadership compass), who are East and West of us (colleagues and peers) and those South of us (under our leadership and supervision).

Our words of encouragement mean more than we know.  In particular, the people we supervise and lead need to know about the good we see in them and the steps they have taken forward.  Take time to bless, encourage, and point out the good.  Do this thoughtfully, honestly, prayerfully, and regularly. You will be amazed that the power of a word of blessing!

Leaders can influence in many ways.  The leadership compass includes leading those South of us (under our leadership and supervision), those North (our supervisor and those who lead us), ourselves (the center of the leadership compass), and also those who are East and West of us.  These are people who are colleagues.

As a local church pastor, I meet with other pastors.  We are actually friends.  We don’t see each other as competition, but partners in God’s work in this world.  I look for them to influence me and they actually accept leadership from me.  I am part of a pastor’s group that meets once a month.  We pray, share life, and learn from each other.  Each time we meet, a different member of the group leads.  I also grab lunch of coffee regularly with other leaders and we encourage and bless each other.

I am thankful every time I gather with other leaders.  I am learning to lead and bless East and West.  This means humbly receiving from others.  It also means generously giving to them.  Don’t see colleagues as a threat, but as partners.  Model what it means to bless, encourage, and offer leadership and you will be amazed what you receive in return.

Leaders can influence in many ways.  The leadership compass includes leading those South of us (under our leadership and supervision), those East and West (colleagues and partners in our work place, ourselves (the center of the leadership compass), and also those who are North of us (the people we work for, answer to, and those who supervise us).

Here is a challenge as you go into the weekend…take time to bless and encourage someone North of you.  Write a note, send a text, make a call, or find some other way to bring a word of blessing and encouragement to someone in your life who gives leadership to you.  It could be your boss, a board member, or someone in a supervisory role.

Be honest with your words.  This is not about being a suck-up!  Be thoughtful and prayerful.  Then, take time to express something you appreciate about this person, their life, and how they influence you or impact others.  This is called leading or blessing North.  Do it often!

No one really likes critique. Most leaders cringe when someone points out what they don’t like or agree with.

But, healthy leaders will welcome and receive critique…even from a person who is not kind in the way they express their concerns.

I am a local church pastor. This means I have a lot of people who feel they have the right and sometimes the obligation to tell me how they would have preached a sermon, what they would have done if they were in my role, and what I did wrong (in their estimation). What I have tried to do through the years (and not always successfully), is to glean any helpful insights I can from the critique of others. It is easier when a person comes with grace. But, it is still valuable to keep an open heart and ears when someone comes with hostility or even a mean spirit. Their immaturity does not mean that what they are saying is wrong.

So, here is the journey I am on. When someone comes with their personal evaluation or criticism, I try to listen, not say much, and then thank them for being willing to share what is on their heart. Then, I pray. I sift through what they said. I try to toss out what is untrue, unkind, or unhelpful. But, I hold on to what is valuable, true, and can help grow me as a leader.

One of the most vicious attacks I have ever received (and I don’t have time to tell the story right now) also became a catalyst for growth and maturity in my life. Most of what this couple said and did came out of their pain and was not true or helpful. But, there were a couple of lessons that God has used to grow me as a leader.

So, when I do my best to listen to critique, God wins and I grow!

My observation, through the years, is that the highest-level leaders have a gift of challenging and stretching those they lead, and also blessing them with words of encouragement.  Our words are more powerful than we know and regular challenges with no affirmation are not healthy.

I have worked with many broken staff teams who served under a strong leader, with good intentions, and the gift of exhortation.  These leaders evaluate, critique, challenge, and sometimes dismantle, but sometimes they forget to bless and build up.

If you are in a role of leadership, commit to spend more time encouraging, blessing, and speaking words of affirmation.  Make this a goal.  Develop this skill.  Get really good at it.  Then, see how your staff flourishes and responds.