You Know You're Not Leading When

You Know You're Not Leading When . . .

I've had some conversations lately that have caused me to ponder, deeply reflect, and wonder. How do many people, each leaders in their own sense, define leading/not leading so differently?

Ever catch yourself not leading? I have and would think most leaders do at some point in time. I wonder what would happen if when we find ourselves not leading the way we believe God has called us to lead, we ask ourselves, "What does it look like for me to really be a leader in this situation?”

We’ve all seen the lists; you know you’re a redneck when, or you’re a nerd when, or you’re a English major when, or you’re a musician when…well, here goes:

You know you are not leading when . . .

· You wait for someone to tell you what to do rather than taking the initiative yourself
· You ask for way too many opinions before taking action
· You spend too much time talking about how things should be different
· You blame the context, surroundings, or other people for your current situation
· You think what you say doesn't matter
· You choose not to speak the truth in love
· You talk to others about the problem rather than taking it to the person responsible
· You aren't taking any significant risks
· You are more concerned about being cool or accepted rather than doing the right thing
· You seek consensus, rather than casting vision for God’s preferable future
· You accept status quo as the way it's always been and always will be
· You start protecting your reputation instead of opening yourself up to opposition
· You procrastinate to avoid making a tough call
· You don't feel like your neck is on the line for anything significant
· Others? I’m sure there are.

There is a time to lead…embracing the journey…pursuing the dream.

Premortem Insights

Feedback is an essential ingredient in every environment. How often have you performed a "postmortem" on a project or strategy that has failed? Ever tried a "premortem?" I wonder what insights we could gain and what obstacles might be eliminated if we took the time before we began the adventure?

Here's how it could work:
Leader briefs the team on the project then announces that the project "has failed spectacularly."
The team spends a few minutes writing down reasons for the project's failure.
Team members take turn reading one reason each until all the reasons are recorded.
Project lead and team look for ways to strengthen the plan before implementation begins.

Think that might help? I wonder how it might impact activities and relationships if we applied the concept beyond organizational projects. Could it be a part of "taking every thought captive' or "considering the costs" before beginning.

This idea comes from Performing a Project Postmortem, an article by Gary Klein.

I think it has powerful potential for impact as we pursue the dream...

CHANGE

CHANGE is important; CHANGE is inevitable; we can run from change or we can embrace it and become a CHANGE AGENT!

Below are some great thoughts about change from Perry Noble...great insights...

C-H-A-N-G-E (Posted: 27 Aug 2008 06:36 AM CDT)

So what’s involved in changing something up?

C = Calculation
If a change is going to be made I believe some time must be spent investigating the possible outcomes that will be associated with it. Some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made as a leader have been changing something without thinking it through.

H = Hesitation
When it comes to changing something that we’ve established…we always hesitate. Don’t get me wrong, I think pausing before making the change is healthy…however, when hesitation turns into an excuse to delay the obvious…problems WILL occur.

A = Anticipate Resistance
The very first reaction to change will always be some sort of resistance. As I leader I am coming more and more to understand that the first question a person runs through their mind when change is introduced is, “How is thing going to impact me?” And…if they detect that it may impact them in any negative sort of way…their natural tendency is to resist.

N = Necessary
Change is SO necessary! That statement was EASY to accept when we first began because we were changing the ways that other people did things; however, in the past couple of years or so it has become a sobering reality that the changes that are necessary are things we once thought of as edgy and innovative…which ISN’T easy…but, like I said…is necessary.

G = God Factor
What changes are God telling you to make? This could be personal…or even church wide. I know that He’s been speaking into me very directly lately and telling me some personal changes that I need to make in regards to the ways I lead myself and His church. God isn’t a dull God…and so following Him should never be either. He isn’t telling me the “why’s” right now…just the “what’s”…and getting comfortable with that has been an adjustment…but a good one!

E = Expectation
Whenever God leads us to change–we can expect fruit to come out of it. (See John 15:4-5) I have found myself getting way to nervous in the past when God leads me to change something when, in reality, I have NEVER messed anything up by simply being completely obedient to Him–even when that includes MAJOR change.

Truths to realize and live by as we embrace the journey...of change.

Walk out, come back and do it!

Ever read or hear something and you know that you know that you know it's powerful? It is important, challenging, and powerful if the challenge is embraced. Well, brace yourself because here it is:

"If we got kicked out, and the board brought in a new CEO, what would he or she do? Why don’t we just walk out, come back in, and do it ourselves." Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel.

Andy Stanley delves into this over at CatalystSpace.com

Can I tell you something? As leaders, there are certain truths (talks) that reach down into our hearts and grab us at the core of our beings. You've probably heard one or two like that. The challenge reaches deep, knowing that the truth it imparts impacts not only us but those we lead, -- those whose eternal destinies are impacted by the churches we lead.

I can't say where you are but if you are a leader, the challenge is clear. Are we going to change what needs changed? Are we going to answer the call, step-up and do that which is needed so that the Kingdom impact is huge, fruitful, and multiplied?

You know the kind of talk I'm talking about? This is one of those talks. You can hear it right here. It will be worth your time -- but it comes with a price to "Do what you've been called to do" ~ lead, challenge, push, obey the call, pursue the dream.

Boxes, Conversations, and Cupbearing

Ever find yourself wading into a discussion and realizing that there's actually a discussion that should have happened first...like you can't even finish the current discussion productively without your mind racing, without being confounded, without clarifying? You know what I mean right? You can finish the current discussion but you know in the back of your mind that there are legs in the journey that you had no idea existed; others have ideas or preconceived notions but you’ve not been engaged in the conversation or knew they existed until this moment in time; perhaps, someone has designed boxes that you didn’t know existed and really don’t know if they fit for you or your understanding…the journey can seem convoluted or like one who is currently stuck in Babylon, without having made that choice.


Mark Batterson in his newest book, Wild Goose Chase, makes the following Biblical challenge. “So what do you do when you are in those situations or seasons? Here is the best advice I can offer: be the best cup bearer you can be. This is where the adventure begins. Don't whine. Don't complain. And don't check out. Make the most of the situation. Do little things like they are the big things. Keep a good attitude. And faithfully carry out your current obligations.One of the greatest acts of worship is keeping a good attitude in a bad situation. And doing a good job honors God. It will also open opportunities down the road. It did for Nehemiah. He had an ordinary job but he did the best he could with what he had where he was. In my book that is a success. Nehemiah was successful long before he rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem. And I've found that if you are faithful in Babylon, God will often bless you a thousand miles away."

Great wisdom, insights, and something I’ve attempted to do; I think it’s a great personal challenge to be the best cup bearer we can be and have the conversations that are needed for the journey.

Empty Me

Isaiah 55:8—“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Anyone besides me know this to be true? Sure, we've experienced that reality multiple times in multiple ways. His ways are not our ways but they are right and good and the perfect design for us.

Experience affirms for us that things don't always go as we might hope or dream, and yet in spite of that reality, He can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can hope or dream (Eph 3:20) according to His power at work in us.

In reality, we are limited in sight and knowledge; we have known and unknown shortcomings ~ selfishness, vain ambitions, pride, things our hearts hold on to that are never meant to be ~ as the song says "Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled with You."


When we allow Him to fill us, we can believe. Abraham and Sarah as well as others proved God's faithfulness by putting their faith in His promises. In Genesis 15, we read that God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Mark Batterson profoundly affirms, "Faith is not logical, but faith isn’t illogical either. Faith is theological. It just adds God into the equation so that what we’re able to imagine isn’t just determined by our human ability. " Abraham grasped reality (they were old), but he was also completely confident that God persistently performs His promises.

F.B. Myer declares, “Unbelief puts our circumstances between us and God. Faith puts God between us and our circumstances.”

Wonder why God took Abraham outside? So, He could see God and not be trapped by a tent ceiling. So, Abraham could experience the promise, the nearness of God in the midst of the circumstance. I wonder, how ofter do we trap God by ceilings or boxes we create?

The reality is we can trust every promise to us; we can place God between us and any circumstance knowing that He is faithful even though His ways are not our ways.

Embracing the journey...

Sacred Cows?

I wonder, "Is there only one way?" When was the last time, you moved in a new way, took a new direction, tried a new way? Habits and routines can be beneficial and/or detrimental. What was once fresh and effective can become "sacred" in a non-healthy manner. I wonder, "What is a current sacred cow?” When was the last time you asked that question at a leadership brainstorming session?

It can help to look at life personally, and organizationally to look at every event you do and every major program supported to ask "why did I (we) start doing it?"

Is it accomplishing its missional goals?

Is the leader responsible still impassioned about its intent, value and execution?

What has become a sacred cow that was once valued and effective but now is just draining, distracting and hindering us?

Are we as leaders willing to have everything be fair game?VBS? Fall Events? Particular mission trips? Our preferred styles?

It’s valuable to re-evaluate regularly. Sacred cows hoard resources and weigh you down as an organization or person. Melt the golden calves and use them for more purposeful pursuits!

Only one life...pursue the dream...

Listen & Reimagine

As we listen, sometimes in the silence, we begin to hear the echos...and Re-imagine

Can you hear Him?

Listen closely and you will...as you journey...He is there.

Listening in the Silence

"Wisdom is the reward for a lifetime of listening ... when you'd have preferred to talk." - D.J. Kaufman

'My son, (daughter, child,) pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight" Proverbs 5:1

Learning to listen comes easy for some...for others it's a lifetime discipline. When we listen we gain heart insights and wisdom..."Be still and know that I am God." Sometimes, even the silence speaks.

There are all kinds of silences and each of them means a different thing. There is the silence that comes with morning in a forest, and this is different from the silence of a sleeping city.

There is silence after a rainstorm, and before a rainstorm, and these are not the same.

There is the silence of emptiness, the silence of fear, the silence of doubt.

There is the silence of peace, the silence of rest, the silence of waiting.

There is a certain silence that can emanate from a lifeless object as from a chair lately used, or from a piano with old dust upon its keys, or from anything that has answered to the need of someone, for pleasure or for work. This kind of silence can speak.

Its voice may be melancholy, but it is not always so; for the chair may have been left by a laughing child or the last notes of the piano may have been raucous and gay.

Whatever the mood or the circumstance, the essence of its quality may linger in the silence that follows. It is a soundless echo.

In the stillness, in the silence, if we listen...we may hear the echos of dreams yet to come...of imagination yet to be realized...of a deep calling...of those who are crying out to be heard...

if we listen we may hear the heart of others...we may hear the very words of God and gain wisdom.

Embracing the journey...learning to listen...even in the silences...