Transformation leadership the Jesus way

Personal Leadership Level (Outcome: Perspective)

Effective leadership starts on the inside. Before you can hope to lead anyone else, you have to know yourself. Coping with other people can be hard ~ how do you, cope with yourself? The reason it is called personal leadership is that it involves choice.

If you live a life that is not designed to please God, your perspective will be inward and focused on ego. If you live your life to please God, your life perspective will be outward. God-given confidence will lead your life.  Jesus gained perspective early in His ministry when He went into the wilderness and was tempted by Satan.  The events recorded for us in the Gospel show us that during this time Jesus had the choice whether or not He would live by the life mission His Father had for Him, whether or not He would give in to the temptations of Pride and Fear (EGO).   

One-on-One Leadership Level (Outcome: Trust)

After spending time in the wilderness addressing His own personal development, and putting His life in perspective at the beginning of His ministry, Jesus began the process of calling His disciples.   He called Simon (Peter) & Andrew first then He called each of His disciples and spent three years building a culture of trust between Himself and these men. This trust between Jesus and His disciples would never have developed to the extent that it did if Jesus had not first spent time in the wilderness deciding who He was going to be and whom He would follow in life!

Team Leadership Level (Outcome: Community)

Once you are able to develop a trusting relationship with people at the one-on-one level, you are ready for team development through empowerment. Individuals working on a team realize that they are responsible for the team’s performance and that none of us is as smart as all of us.

After Jesus had spent a period of time with His disciples, He then sent them out (Matthew 10) to minister. As a leader He “empowered” that first group of disciples to complete the work you had been trained to do. One of the problems organisations face on this level is that leaders are not willing to “give power away” in order for others to do ministry. Leaders who are not willing to empower their people may need to review the first two levels of development.

Trust is also a key factor in the successful implementation of this level. Without the outcome of trust developed in the one-on-one level, empowerment will never happen. Individuals in the group will never “empower” each other to accomplish an assigned task because they do not trust each other. This is one of the key factors why teams or committees are often ineffective.

Organisational (church) Leadership Level (Outcome: Effectiveness)

One of the primary mistakes that leaders today make, when called to lead, is in spending the majority of their time and energy on this level before addressing the individual, one-on-one, or team levels.

The outcome of focusing on this level is effectiveness. Jesus, by valuing both relationships and results, created the environment for developing an effective organisation (church). In His own life, He was aligned with the purpose His Father had for Him. Jesus also clearly identified the purposes for His followers and the Great Commandment.

Finally remember that when Jesus began His ministry on earth; He did not start at the organisational (church) level, but at the 1-2-1 level then a team, its people not buildings that are important.

www.bewhoyoucanbeinchrist.com 

An hour of time

A short story for leaders to reflect upon.

A little boy called Dave was disappointed that his father didn't attend the last football game of the season, but he wasn't surprised. Dave was a mature 12-year old and he understood that lots of clients depended on his dad, a lawyer, who had to work most nights and weekends. Still, it made him sad, especially since this year he won the team's most improved player award.

One evening Dave got up the strength to interrupt his father's work at home to ask him how much lawyers make per hour. His father was annoyed and gruffly answered, 'They pay me £250 an hour.'

Dave gulped and said, 'Wow, that's a lot. Would you lend me £100?'

'Of course not,' his father barked. 'Please, let me work.'

Later, the father felt guilty and went to Dave's room where he found him sobbing.

'Son,' he said, 'I'm sorry. If you need some money, of course I'll lend it to you. But can I ask why?'

Dave said, 'Dad, I know your time is really worth a lot and I've already saved £150, if you lend me the money I'll have enough. Dad can I buy an hour so you can come to the awards banquet on Friday?'

It hit his father like a punch to the heart. He realized his son needed him more than his clients did. He needed to be there for his son more than he needed money or career accolades. He hugged him and said, 'I'm sorry and I'm so proud of you, nothing could keep me away.'

Lots of business people are stretched to their limit trying to balance business demands and family needs. It's always a matter of priorities and to some extent people pleasing i.e. putting others first not you and your life and your relationships.

Lesson ~ pay attention to the big things in life, those important things without which life would be stretching, fragile and empty. Time to get your head out of where it is and look around drop those little things that take your time and energy and focus on what’s really important, relationships, family, friends, colleagues. A person who builds others is rich indeed but one who builds an empire at the expense of others has a life of emptiness turmoil and full of anxiety. 

Think big while also paying attention to the details . . .

. . . just one of the Top 10 Qualities of an Excellent Leader

An excellent leader taps into talents and resources in order to support and bring out the best in others. An outstanding leader evokes possibility in others.

1. Creativity
Creativity is what separates competence from excellence. Creativity is the spark that propels projects forward and that captures peoples' attention. Creativity is the ingredient that pulls the different pieces together into a cohesive whole, adding zest and appeal in the process.

2. Structure
The context and structure we work within always have a set of parameters, limitations and guidelines. A stellar leader knows how to work within the structure and not let the structure impinge upon the process or the project. Know the structure intimately; so as to guide others to effectively work within the given parameters. Do this to expand beyond the boundaries.

3. Intuition
Intuition is the capacity of knowing without the use of rational processes; it's the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. People with keen insight are often able to sense what others are feeling and thinking; consequently, they're able to respond perfectly to another through their 'deeper understanding'. The stronger one's intuition, the stronger leader one will be.

4. Knowledge
A thorough knowledge base is essential. The knowledge base must be so ingrained and integrated into their being that they become 'transparent', focusing on the individuals and what s/he needs to learn, versus focusing on the knowledge base. The excellent leader lives from a knowledge base, without having to draw attention to it.

5. Commitment
A leader is committed to the success of the project and of all team members. S/he holds the vision for the collective team and moves the team closer to the end result. It's the leader 's commitment that pulls the team forward during trying times.

6. Being Human
Individuals value leaders who are human and who don't hide behind their authority. The best leaders are those who aren't afraid to be themselves. Leader s who respect and connect with others on a human level inspire great loyalty.

7. Versatility
Flexibility and versatility are valuable qualities in a leader. Beneath the flexibility and versatility is an ability to be both non-reactive and not attached to how things have to be. Versatility implies an openness - this openness allows the leader to quickly 'change on a dime' when necessary. Flexibility and versatility are the pathways to speedy responsiveness.

8. Lightness
A stellar leader doesn't just produce outstanding results; he or she has fun in the process! Lightness doesn't impede results but rather, helps to move the team forward. Lightness complements the seriousness of the task at hand as well as the resolve of the team, therefore contributing to strong team results and retention.

9. Discipline/Focus
Discipline is the ability to choose and live from what one pays attention to. Discipline as self-mastery can be exhilarating! Role model the ability to live from your intention consistently and you'll role model an important leadership quality.

10. Big Picture - Small Actions
Excellent leaders see the big picture concurrent with managing the details. Small actions lead to the big picture; the excellent leader is skilful at doing both: think big while also paying attention to the details.