In order to grow stronger churches, we need to become better leaders. It’s a continual process and we never arrive. How are you growing and becoming better?
Simply because we are actively leading doesn’t mean we are becoming better leaders. It’s easy to be busy in doing good, but not getting better.
We can fall into a routine of doing the same things, in the same way, with the same people. This pattern keeps us busy but not moving forward. Change is always required to see progress.
The goal isn’t change for the sake of change and it’s not to change everything. We need to ask the question – What needs to change to see our vision become reality? And that change requires us to grow and become better leaders.
There are four parts to this process of growth.
Learning new things.
This can seem daunting with the idea of “nothing new under the sun” in our minds. But if we remain curious, learning new things comes naturally. The new things aren’t always about the church or leadership, remaining open to a larger awareness always enhances your leadership.
Unlearning things we have known.
I read a book by Adam Grant titled Think Again. What an eye opener to the idea of unlearning ideas that aren’t true, or are not accurate, and keeping our mind open to a more accurate perspective. For example, as medical science makes progress we unlearn what we once thought was the best practice and embrace more accurate (often life-saving) information.
Relearning things we know but at a new level.
This is the most common need. We have a broad base of leadership skills from communication to recruiting and from conflict management to empowering new leaders, and many others. But we must constantly relearn the leadership skills we already know at higher, more complex and nuanced levels as culture shifts and our churches grow.
Gaining wisdom to apply what we know.
Finally, there are many things we already know but don’t practice. I know that’s true for me. How about you? What do you already know that you haven’t yet put to good use?
That’s a quick glance at the overall process, and here are five specific ways you can focus on how to grow your leadership.
5 Great Ways to Grow Your Leadership:
1) The fastest way to grow your leadership is to solve problems.
The leader who can see and solve problems will always be in need.
Leaders who can clearly identify and solve complex problems that others cannot see or solve will more consistently lead organizations to breakthroughs and into new territory.
Problems come in a wide variety and form from relational conflict to financial shortfalls and from clarity of vision to uniting the team.
Step one, clearly identify the problem.
Since there is no end to problems, the next step is knowing which problems to solve and when. It may surprise you that the best leaders know what problems to ignore. Solve the big ones and the little ones take care of themselves.
Solving problems leads to momentum and momentum is one of the best helps we have to solving the problems we face. (Momentum is often known as a leader’s best friend.)
2) The most inspiring way to grow your leadership is to cast great vision.
Inspiration is not a responsibility attached only to the top leader, all leaders must inspire, each in our own way.
The common styles of inspiring others are through relationship, competence, passion, strategty, and coaching. Which one is yours? (See Amplified leadership chapter four “Inspire People to Follow The Vision” for more on this.)
The big picture purpose of inspiration is to motivate the people we serve to embrace the vision God has given us. It’s how we encourage them to push past their comfort zones and open their hearts to new possibilities.
Great vision is clear, compelling and focused on a better future based on God’s truth and promises.
Whether you lead the whole church, a campus, a department or a small group, vision always begins in your heart, with a burden to see something better for the lives of the people you serve. That fire is what breathes life into inspiration.
3) The most enduring way to grow your leadership is to maintain trustworthy character.
The leadership journey is a long one for most of us, it includes mistakes, setbacks and some failures, but a trustworthy character keeps us in the game for the long haul.
Character brings validity to spiritual leadership, the more we are tested and prove ourselves trustworthy, the more our leadership grows.
High-capacity leaders are disqualified by a breach of character. The reasons are different, but the patterns are the same. Things such as unsatiable hunger for more, pride, unhealthy pressure relief practices, and envy can take us out.
The goal of growing as a leader isn’t perfection, but authenticity, humility, and a commitment to keep growing as a leader in ways that please God and help people.
A genuine heart to help people always grows your leadership.
4) The most expansive way to grow your leadership is to develop other leaders.
Any great vision requires more and better leaders to see it become reality. Jesus started with 12, and its amazing where we are now. How is your church developing leaders to advance the cause of Christ?
Few investments of your time and energy will grow your leadership and expand your reach more than raising up and developing new leaders. Developing leaders is the great leadership multiplier.
If you don’t have much experience in developing leaders, keep it simple. Find one apprentice and teach him or her what you know. You can start this week.
Pray about who that person might be. A maturing Christian, faithfully serving in ministry, who loves God and people. That’s a good place to start. Then ask questions like are they good with people? Do they possess solid character and competence?
Don’t look for a perfect person. None of us would qualify. Start with who God has place in your circle of relationships and responsibilities. Maybe go through a leadership book together, but most important, practice leading.
5) The best way to grow your leadership is to love people.
The greatest gift we have to give is the love of God.
We learn how to care about people, shepherd them, sacrifice and love unconditionally from the example God has set for us.
To love someone doesn’t mean you are leading them, but to lead someone without loving them is empty, void and missing the point entirely. We have to want the best for those we lead.
Pure, simple, unconditional love is the best way to grow your leadership. It requires the other elements, but without it, we are nothing more than “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
My prayer is that the five ways to grow your leadership is an encouragement to you and provides a simple and literally lifetime plan.
