Being an Aware Leader

Posted by Ron Edmondson on March 13, 2012

The longer I’m in leadership, the more I realize I don’t always know fully the real health of my team or organization. At least as much as others do. I want to know, but often, because of my position, I’m shielded from some issues.

I’ve learned, right or wrong, agree or disagree, that some would rather complain behind a leader’s back than tell him or her how they feel. Others assume the leader already knows and still others simply leave or remain quiet to avoid any confrontation. I’ve made the mistake of believing everything was great in an area of ministry or with a team member, when really it was mediocre at best, simply because I was not aware of the real problems in the organization.

It can be equally true that a leader doesn’t know all the potential of an organization. Some of the best ideas remain untapped for some of the same reasons. People are afraid of their ideas being rejected, so they don’t share them. They assume the leader already knows, or they simply never take the time to share them.

If a leader wants to be fully aware, there are disciplines he or she must have in place. For example, as a leader, do you want to easily recognize the need for change and the proper timing to introduce it? That comes partly by being a leader aware.

Here are 5 traits of the aware leader:

Asks questions – Aware leaders are consistently asking people questions and making intentional efforts to uncover people’s true feelings about the organization and their leadership. (Read 12 Great Leadership Questions HERE.)

Remain open to constructive criticism – Aware leaders make themselves vulnerable to other people. They welcome input, even when it comes as correction. They realize that although criticism never feels good at the time, if processed properly, it can make them a better leader. (You may want to read THIS POST and THIS POST about how to and not to respond to criticism.)

Never assumes everyone agrees – Aware leaders realize that disagreement and even healthy conflict can make the organization better. They expect differences of opinions on issues and they are willing to wrestle through them to find the best solution to accomplish the vision of the organization, even if that opinion belongs to someone other than the leader.

Never quits learning – Aware leaders are sponges for information. They read books, blogs, or they might listen to podcasts. They keep up with the current trends in their industry through periodicals and newsletters. They never cease to discover new ideas or ways of doing things.

Remains a wisdom seeker – Aware leaders surround themselves with people further down the road from where they are in life. They most likely will use terms like mentor, coach or consultant. They are consistently seeking the input of other leaders who can speak into their situation, make them a better leader or person, and ultimately help the organization.

Great leaders are aware leaders. Does that describe you or your leader?



Same-Sex Marriage

I think it is safe to assume that every one of you has heard that our president has declared that he is okay with same-sex marriage.

Many of you (I’m going to guess, most of you) are not in agreement with his position.  I seldom, if ever, use this forum to address political issues and I am not going to do so now.

I, rather, want to raise another issue…ask a question that would have relevance for all of us and is related to the President’s declaration.

The question is: What is it that drives our decisions?  In the president’s decision to support same-sex marriage, is it personal principles or politics that is leading him in making the decision he made? 

Let me be clear that I don’t know the answer and, although you may have an opinion, you, in actuality, probably don’t know either. We don’t know his heart--only what we hear him say, what we read about what he said, or read what others say about what he said.

I will make it clear that for me personally I have a deep conviction, and do not support, or think it is biblical, to have a marital union other than between a man and a woman.

There is, however, a bigger issue in play here (not to say that the president’s declaration is not big. It certainly is making big news across the country and around the world.) I think that this is the key issue for you and me:

When we make decisions, are they coming from a solid biblical world view, anchored in the clear teaching of God’s word and based on our personal convictions; or are we tempted or motivated, to ask:

1. What is the popular thing to do here?
2. What is the thing that would enhance my reputation?
3. What will gain me the most favor…open the most doors?
4. What would be the easier route to take?
5. Where do most other people stand on this issue?
6. What would put me in a better financial situation?
7. What is the politically correct thing to do?

For us as Christian leaders, it is never a question of what is politically correct, but what is biblically correct! Leaders in the Bible, including Jesus, never asked themselves what was politically correct and paid a big price for taking a stand and swimming against the current.

We are in big trouble when politics, popularity, prestige, production, power or anything else trumps principle in our decisions and our actions as Christian leaders.

Let’s face it that in the church, and in most Christian organizations, there are “politics” to deal with that can override our resolve to do the thing that honors Jesus the most and displays integrity, consistency, and brutal honesty even when it costs us.

Just last week I heard about a leader who was fired because he refused to carry out an order by his boss that he felt was not demonstrating complete honesty.

It seems to me that character is an endangered species today and yet it is the one thing followers value most in their leaders.

It was John Wooden who said, “Pay more attention to your character than to your reputation because your character is what you really are whereas your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

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TOP TEN TEMPTATIONS THAT LEADERS FACE

 Perry Noble-Posted on May 3, 2012

#1 – Devoting more time to an online audience (twitter/facebook) rather than leading your family, your staff and investing in the REAL people that God is bringing to your church every week!

#2 – To go at an unrealistic pace that is completely unsustainable and excusing it by saying that things are eventually going to slow down.  

#3 – Holding onto the idea that, “if you want something done right then you have to do it yourself;” therefore refusing to delegate things that God has not gifted/equipped you to do.

#4 – Believing the lie that “if I take care of the church that God will take care of my family” and neglecting the bride that God has given me because I am having an affair with HIS Bride!

#5 – Believing that “if I just pray about it long enough it will work itself out.”  Prayer is often an excuse for passivity and inactivity!  Remember, God DID tear down the walls of Jericho…but Joshua and the Israelites still had to go in and take the city!

#6 – Declaring the decision that needs to be made without discussing it with those whom it will impact the most.  It is easier to declare and then simply say “I’m the leader, that’s the way it is.”  In order to discuss an idea then leader must be open to the fact that his idea might not be the best!!!

#7 – Driving people through guilt, intimidation and threats rather than leading them with clear direction and actually caring more about who they are becoming rather than what they are doing.

#8 – Believing that a particularly tough season is always going to last and allowing thoughts of negativity and the voice of critics to drive you to an unhealthy place where you find yourself always wanting to be alone and refuse to trust anyone.

#9 – Refusing to admit that you need help!  (It’s not weakness to admit this need, it’s actually a sign of strength!)

#10 – Allowing conflict to go unresolved (see Ephesians 4:25-27). One of our rules around here at NewSpring is for people to keep short accounts.  If you are upset then DO NOT SEND AN EMAIL but rather go into to someone’s office, close the door and have a conversation.  The enemy can divide a church a lot quicker if he can divide the staff…and the way he most often does this is through unresolved conflict.



Getting Something Off My Chest

I need to get something off my chest. This has been bothering me for some time and  I want to address it in this post.

It has to do with how we read and how we view the Bible.

For a number of years, in evangelical and reformed circles, I have been hearing things like the following:

• The Bible is God’s story…it’s all about Him from Genesis to Revelation. It’s not your story, it’s His story.

• You should not read the Bible looking for golden nuggets or moral principles as that is not why the Bible was written.

• You should not try to apply the Bible personally and take single verses out of context and out of chapters and personalize them as that would be a violation of good theological exegesis and interpretation.  You are not supposed to apply all of the Bible to your life. You can’t, and should not, use verses, passages or chapters addressed to the Jewish nation and apply them to your life.

• You should read the Bible doctrinally not devotionally. It is a theological book, not a book written to give you tips on how to live your life.

I grew up spiritually with the idea of personalizing scripture and applying it to my life. I was taught (and rightly so) that 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 (ESV) is to be believed and taken at face value “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for:

“Teaching

“Reproof

“Correction

“Training in righteousness

“That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

I just took a single verse out of context, out of a chapter and applied it to my life. I am happy to do so and have done so with hundreds, if not thousands, of verses over my 52 years as a Christian. 

 2 Timothy 3:16 states that the Bible  (1) teaches me what is right living is. The Bible (2) reproves me and stops me from doing what is wrong.  The Bible (3) corrects me, showing me how to right the wrong. The Bible (4) trains and develop me in right living. All of these four through the ministry of the Holy Spirit taking the Word of God and helping me apply it to life

Here is my take on what is going on.

Someone telling me, or any other Christian, that I, or they, should not be looking in the Bible for moral principles to live by or golden nuggets to give you something to think about (the book of Proverbs is a book full of golden nuggets) is a classic example of either/or thinking instead of both/and thinking.

The Bible is both a theological book about His story and a book full of golden nuggets and moral principles to live by.  It’s about His story with my story embedded in it--my story of salvation and spiritual transformation in a growing love relationship with Jesus.

Two more examples of either/or and both/and thinking:

1. God is both sovereign and man has a free will;

2. Living victoriously as a Christian is a matter of both grace and hard work.

“It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes or will follow them both.” Ecclesiastes 7:18 NIV

Ecclesiastes 7:18 is a golden nugget and moral principle worth thinking about and has virtue standing alone, as do other verses such as John 3:16. Paul quoted such verses or passages, as did Jesus, when countering the devil’s attacks, so you and I are in good company.

The Bible is both a theological book and a practical book, not either a theological book or a practical book.

Admittedly, we need to be very careful to delineate between interpretation and application. I am speaking mostly of application in this post.  There are clear guidelines for how we interpret the Bible, but it is my conviction that we have lots of liberty and freedom to apply verses and portions of the Bible to our lives and ministry as the Holy Spirit speaks to us.

Now I understand that this freedom can be misused and we can apply the Bible in ways that don’t gel with the overall teaching of scripture; and that is where accountability, community and having godly leaders gives us checks and balances.

Glad I could get this off my chest.

The bottom line is to read the Bible both doctrinally and devotionally not doctrinally or devotionally!

As always, your comments are warmly welcomed.  And it is okay to share a single verse if you believe me to be wrong!



A LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW

Posted by Ron Edmondson on March 17, 2012

I am frequently interviewed by students who are in leadership classes. Occasionally, I feel the questions may be of interest to others. Recently, a Christian student in Ohio asked me these questions:

What makes a good leader?

The ability to attract people to follow and the vision, discipline, and wisdom to take them somewhere. Good leaders are willing to sacrifice of themselves to help people accomplish something of value, which they may not be willing or know how to do on their own.

How have you grown as a leader over your lifetime?

Experience, both good and bad and the investment of others in my life. I’m a wisdom seeker.

What mentor has influenced you most and why?

Without a doubt, Jesus. He is the ultimate leader. His principles of servitude, intentionality and vision are unmatched. In an earthly sense, my high school principal took a special interest in me while I served as president of the student body my senior year.

How important is character in leadership?

I’m not sure one can separate the two. I certainly understand most of the definitions for leadership would allow a person of poor character to be called a leader, but my personal opinions won’t allow it. Certainly to be “great” leadership, one would need to desire to be a person of noble character.

What would be your advice to me as to how I can grow as a leader?

The best advice I can give is to find something to lead. Volunteer at church or in the community. Most organizations need more willing leaders and the best way to learn leadership is to do it. Also, do what you are doing now. Become an intentional wisdom-seeker. Surround yourself with people who you believe are leading well. Ask a good leader to mentor you. Read the books and blogs that talk about leadership.

What should I avoid to be a good leader?

Avoid the temptation to settle for mediocre. It’s easy to lead the mundane, lackluster, or half-hearted efforts. Leading at higher levels is hard. It’s messy, because it involves change, risk, and fear. Push through those things, ground yourself in Scripture and in accountability to others, build discipline in your life, and you’ll keep improving as a leader.

How would you have answered these questions?

Dave Kraft would add  the essentiality of being Gospel centered…seeking to be led by Him, empowered by Him and honoring Him in every leadership task and decision. Leadership is all about Jesus and not all about me!