One of the chief goals of this blog is to encourage better leadership. In this post, I’m including the term management. I believe the two are different functions, but both are vital to a healthy organization. Whether you lead or manage a large or small organization — or church — there are principles for being effective.
Here are 7:
Be aware – Know your team. People are individuals. They have unique expectations and they require different things from leadership. Some require more attention and some less. Use personality profiles or just get to know them over time, but learn the people you are supposed to be leading or managing.
Be open – Let them know you — as a person outside of the role as leader or manager. Be transparent enough that they can learn to trust you.
Be responsive – Don’t leave people waiting too long for a response. They’ll make up their own if you do — and it’s usually not the conclusion you want them to reach.
Be approachable – You can’t be everything to everyone, and you may not always be available, but for the people you are called to lead or manage, you need to be approachable. They need to know if there is a problem — or a concern — you will be receptive to hearing from them. I realize the larger the organization the more difficult this becomes, but build systems that allow you to hear from people at every level within the organization.
Be consistent – Over time, the team you lead or manage needs to know you are going to be dependable. The world is changing fast. It’s hard to know who to trust these days. We certainly need to be able to trust people we are supposed to follow.
Be trustworthy – Follow through on what you say you will do. If you make a promise — keep it. If you can’t support something — say it. If you’re not going to do it — say no. Let your word be your bond. Spend time building and protecting your character. Be the quality of person you would want to follow.
Be appreciative – Recognize you can’t do it alone. Be grateful. Be rewarding. Celebrate. Love others genuinely and display it well.
What would you add? Upon which of these do you most need to improve?
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Great article Ron. I also think that a leader should 'Be self motivated' as it keeps his/her team motivated.
Thanks for sharing.
Be present
Yes
That’s a great list Ron. The only thing I’d add is. “Be kind.” It’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t go your way or you’re criticized.
Yes. I wrote a post about this recently. How did I miss it? Thanks.
I think I'm done with your comments. Thanks though.
Provocation makes you think, though, doesn't it. And there is far, far too much insouciance in Christian blogging and "I'm shocked, I'm shocked!" fake surprise when non-Living Master leaders evidence their lack of faith and implode, implode, implode (i.e. adulterate.)
So, what is wrong with a good, honest look at how few steps up the ladder… modern leadership has come… vs. their boasting?
Also, most Christian intellectuals evidence a COMPLETE LACK OF FAITH in a true Living Master capability of anybody. They're wrong.
Nice word, Ron. I could add "be supportive" which kind of lies between a few of the others. Encouragement and being appreciative go a long way. Thanks for the concise post.
Robert
Yes. Good add. Thanks