(Art work courtesy of me.)
One qualification to be an effective leader, especially at a senior level, is the ability to see beyond the organization’s current path.
Effective leaders appear to have a unique perception ability…
- A leader’s view goes beyond what’s expected to sense and prepare for the unexpected…
- A leader looks outside the norm to attain untapped potential and seize opportunities…
- A leader observes what needs changing to stir enthusiasm and fuel momentum…
I’m not sure whether it is by discipline or by personal wiring, but a leader has an ability to see beyond the scope of things as they currently exist. He or she appears to see things others simply can’t see or aren’t looking for. It’s a keen sense of awareness, which in my opinion, seems to exist with all effective senior leaders. It’s obviously not an ability limited to the senior leader, but it is critical with this position of leadership.
Without the ability to work from this perspective, in my opinion, the leader’s potential is limited.
Give me your thoughts. Would you agree?
Ron! This is true of any leader in various spheres of life. Foresight is vital ingredient for any successful leader.
I am also reminded of a utterance by the character 'Serpent' in George Bernard Shaw's play "Back To Methuselah" that :
“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’".
You always site great resources.
This is such a thought-provoking blog post. I've been trying to hone my leadership skills over the past few months so that I can be the best children's minister possible, and I must admit that what you addressed never even occurred to me. Thank you for providing me with a different way to look at what goes into being a successful leader.
Thank you. A great question to ask yourself (and others you trust) is “what am I not seeing/hearing?”
Hello, Ron!
I want to add to your list of why congregants leave is inflexibility. In my experience there is a demographic within the congregation that desires for the culture of the congreagtion to never change to meet a changing world. Balancing between respecting traditions and meeting the needs of a changing congregation has been my greatest challenge in God's ministry through me.
Thank you Ward. I think you meant this comment to be on the “why people disappear from church”. I agree. Good thought.