Bill Hybels found himself in a Leadership Slump. Baseball slumps are similar. You know how it goes. He had a half dozen challenges that he could not solve. Frustrating, to say the least.
His assistant Jean brought in a half dozen new leadership books. Smart Authors. Bill looked at the stacks and then at his challenges, and wondered if he were no longer up to the challenges. Later, a friend wanted Bill to conduct a wedding. (Not his favorite, not missional enough). The wedding went bad (funny, but bad), and his leadership confidence was nearly demolished. People won’t even follow me at a wedding anymore!!
So he looked to his journal to find some sense of who he still was. He asked God to tell him what he still knew. These are the things he heard.
LEADERS MOVE PEOPLE FROM HERE TO THERE. MOVEMENT
This is more than casting a hot vision. It is more than describing for all senses how cool it would be over there.
Consider the emails that say “We like it…HERE,” that mean there’s more than vision casting. So cast it again even hotter. Bliss on a stick.
More email, right? that’s not unusual. So what do we have to do differently?
The first and best plan is to make HERE sound awful.
Think about MLKjr, and the simple case-building that he did to make HERE, that is, what “was” or the status quo, sound awful, because it was.
Only after all those sermons and speeches did MLKjr begin to share the dream about THERE.
Remember: Staying HERE breaks the heart of God. Don’t merely preside, pastors. Don’t pontificate over your underlings. Don’t preserve something from its gradual demise.
Figure out what God wants done. Figure out your role. Then convince folks to move. It breaks the heart of God to stay HERE.
IT TAKES FANTASTIC PEOPLE TO MOVE FROM HERE TO THERE. CULTURE & TEAM
One of the greatest joys of leadership is knitting together teams of fabulous people. At Willow Creek, they ask some tough questions:
Character – Are they persons of integrity?
Competence – How do they perform?
Chemistry – How do they get along with others?
Culture – What kind of person flourishes on our unique team?
A word should be said about CHRIST CENTEREDNESS (kudos to Stephen Handy for adding that one).
Bill says that his folks have to be able to deal with a culture that is high talent, fast-changing, results oriented, and sacrificial.
He says, “We offer them a mission to lay down their lives. Will you wash the feet of those whom you are called to serve? Don’t look to get emotionally coddled here. Don’t look for low-speed, weak challenge, status quo opportunities here.”
What would you do if a staffer resigned right now? Some would be relieved. Others would briefly take pause. Some might be devastated because that one was irreplaceable.
At Willow Creek, they found those who were already on staff who were irreplaceable – complete matches in Chemistry, Competence, Character, and Culture – and they honored them with “disproportional investment in the development of their talents and fulfillment of their potential.”
Does this inspire you? Is this the way you lead?
LEADERS CELEBRATE MILESTONES AND PROTECT MOVERS IN TRANSIT. SHEPHERDING
Bill went on some training runs with his daughter recently. He reminded her that it’s the middle leg of the run that you’ll need to dig deep.
The thing we leaders often fail to do is refill the VISION BUCKET. People don’t think about church 24 hours a day like you do, Sparky. You have to refill the VISION BUCKET. And more regularly than you think you do!
You have to celebrate every mile marker on the way to the destination. WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE ON THE JOURNEY IS A SENSE THAT THEY WILL GET THERE SOMEDAY.
When the disciples were flagging, Jesus would rush them off to the mountains for a retreat. Or gather them in a boat for a Lakeshore time apart. He would promise them rewards in the life to come for their sacrifices in this one. What are you doing for your team?
LEADERS LISTEN FOR WHISPERS FROM GOD. FOLLOWERSHIP
Promptings of the Spirit are VITAL. Don’t let anyone other than God write your script for your life.
Bill saw an old truck while he was out running the other day. It had an old fashioned TV antenna on top, for what reasonIf you felt God were broadcasting a message to you every day, how important would it be to have the right antenna?
Whispers from God: Are any of these speaking to you?
Don’t quit. Step Up. Take the Risk. Apologize now.
Make the Tough Decision. Get Help. Stop Running from God.
Slow Down. Show Your Heart. Let Others Lead. Feed Your Soul.
Bless the Team. Make the Ask. Do something more impactful.
Come Clean. Embody the Vision. Celebrate the Victories.
Speak the Truth. Pay the Price. Count Your Blessings.
End the Secret. Check your Motives. Set the Pace.
Give God Your Best. Get Physically Fit. Serve Your Spouse and Kids.
Pray.
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