Being LeadersChapters 3 and 4

Review: Definition- Leadership page33

Christian leaders are servants with credibility and capabilities, who are able to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God given direction

Key in the definition:Credible

Capable

Influence people to pursue their God-given direction

Review: Servant Leadership (Matt 20:24-28;John 13:1-17) )

Characteristics Biblical Directive

Contrasts

Manner of Leadership Humble

How? “not lording it over” people

Humility, not ego

Essence of Leadership Service

What? “a servant and slave”

Giving, not receiving

Recipient of Leadership Others

Who?“for many”

Others, not self

Motive of Leadership Love

Why?The full extent of his love

A towel, not a throne

A Credible LeaderChapter 3

The Trust QuizTrue or False

1. ____________Leaders should expect followers to trust them simply because they occupy a position of leadership in the church.

2. ____________Today people will rely on and place their confidence in leaders , but it takes time and .

3. ____________People watch leaders 24/7/365.

4. ____________A leader’s personal life does not effect the way followers view their leadership.

5. ___________Today, leaders have to earn people’s trust first

The Importance of Trust (Stephen M. Covey)

Trust is a function of two things: character and competence

Character includes your integrity, motives, your intent with people.

Competence includes your capabilities, skills, results and track record

People trust people who make things happen

Trust Tax

“Widespread distrust in a society…imposes a kind of tax on all forms of economic activity, a tax that high-trust societies do not have to pay”

Low trust tax is not only an economic activity, but an activity—in every relationship, in every interaction, in every communication, in every decision , in every dimension of life (Covey , 19).

Trust Tax in Personal Relationships

Low Trust –Trust Issues (High Tax & No Dividends)

Trust is not an Issue (No Tax & High Dividends)

Hot, angry confrontations Polite, cordial, healthy communications

Constant worrying or suspicion Focus on working together smoothly and efficiently

Hidden agendas Completely open, transparent relationships

Mistakes remembered and used a weapon

Mistakes seen a learning opportunities and quickly forgiven

Energy spent in maintaining the relationship (not growing the relationship)

Amazing energy created by relationship

Interactions characterized by tension Mutual tolerance and acceptance; no worries

Trust Tax in Organizations

Low Trust –Trust Issues (No Tax & No Dividends)

Trust is not an Issue (No Tax)

Toxic Environment (open warfare, sabotage, grievance)

Healthy workplace

Intense political atmosphere with clear camps and parties

Few office or department politics

Painful micromanagement Effective collaboration and execution

Unnecessary hierarchy Strong creativity and innovation

Excessive time wasted defending positions and decisions

Positive, transparent relationships with employees (volunteers) and all stakeholders (church members)

Unhappy employees/church members/ volunteers

Loyalty, confidence, and engagement

Myths and the Reality about Trust

Myth Reality

Trust is built on integrity (adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty)

Trust is a function of both character (which includes integrity) and competence

You either have trust or you don’t Trust can be both created and destroyed

Once lost, trust cannot be restored Though difficult, in most cases lost trust can be restored

Trusting people is too risky Not trusting people is a greater risk

Trust is established one person at a time

Establishing trust with the one establishes trust with many

8 ingredients to build leadership Credibility

1. Character- It is the sum total of a person’s distinct qualities, both good and bad, that reflect who he or she is (being) and it affects what he or she does (behavior)

2. “Godly character is the foundation of Christian leadership, the essential qualifying element. Because it earns people’s respect and, most important, produces trust…People don’t follow the ministry’s mission or vision statement----at least not for long. They follow you, the leader. Only after they are convinced that you’re a person of good character who is worthy of leading will they follow the mission and vision you espouse.” (page 56)

3. Question: Think about a past leader you worked with at church or work. Did you respect or trust them? Did you follow their leadership? Why or Why not?

8 ingredients to build leadership Credibility

Competence is the leader’s capability to perform well in a specific context, having the expertise and ability to get things done.

3 Elements of competenceCompetent leaders are gifted leaders

Competent leaders are knowledgeable leaders

Competent leaders are skillful leaders—they get results

8 ingredients to build leadership Credibility

Clarity of Direction- Leaders must know where they are going. They must have a destination in mind when asking people to join them on a journey into the unknown.

“Leaders must know and clarify where they’re going and where they are taking people. It’s the leader’s job, as well as the governing board’s, to think through the organization’s direction, define it, and communicate it clearly and visibly so that there’s little question among people as to the church’s direction.” (page 60)

MUST HAVES

Clear mission and vision

8 ingredients to build leadership Credibility

Communication-

“Informed people are trusting people. Uninformed people are suspicious people. If people suspect that the leadership is trying to keep something from them, they will not follow them” ( page 61) .

Conviction – is the passion and commitment a person demonstrates toward his or her vision.

Passionate leaders convey energy, excitement, and intensity that inspire and grip followers. Commitment signals what is important to that leader and what will ultimately get done.

8 ingredients to build leadership

Credibility

Courage-“ Courage supplies the strength to lead in these difficult circumstances…” (page 63)

Joshua 1: 6-9

Care- the leader’s demonstration of concern for the well-being of his or her followers that flows from love for them.

Composure- the leader’s consistent display of appropriate emotional health or maturity that sets a positive ministry mood especially in difficult or crisis situations. The leader must manage his or her own emotions.

Create Your Pyramid of Important

Ingredients

Most Important

Important

Foundational Ingredient

Five Steps to Recovering Lost Trust and Regaining Credibility as a Leader

1. Admit the mistake

2. Acknowledge Responsibility

3. Apologize

4. Accept the Consequences

5. Act to correct the situation

A Credible LeaderChapter 4

Are Leaders Born or Made? Agree or Disagree

“Leadership is of utmost importance. Indeed there is no substitute for it. But leadership cannot be created or promoted. It can not be taught or learned.” Leadership is strongly determined by heredity. ( page 74)

“The Center of Creative Leadership’s research that 60 percent of all executive learning opportunities were associated with tough assignments and hardships further reinforces the potency of challenge in stimulating individual growth and development.” (page 75)

About half of the tendency toward leadership is innate and half is influenced by other factors” (page 75)

Leadership Capabilities

Natural Gifts

God gives natural gifts to unbelievers as well as believers , based upon his common grace.

He gives these gifts at birth.

Spiritual Gifts

God given ability for service .

Every believer will have 1 or more spiritual gifts

Not all leaders will have the same gifts.

The Leader’s Developed Capabilities

Character (Soul work)- A successful leader must develop his or her character

Knowledge (Head work) – Intellectual knowledge; experiential knowledge; and intuitive knowledge

Skills (Handiwork) – relational skills and task skills

Emotions-(Heart work) emotions, feelings, moods

Leadership TraitsShepherd Inspires Confidence Honest

Visionary Person of integrity Persuasive

Communicator Believes in Self Leads by example

Spokesperson Passionate Has clear goals

Trust builder Loves People Perseveres

Inspirational Articulate Promoter

Multi-tasker Curious Knows strengths

Listener Has strong convictions Analyzes culture

Insightful Encourager Kind

Student Strategic thinker Team Oriented

Coach Planner Delegator

Discussion Questions

What knowledge or skills do you need to help you lead in your unique ministry situation? Where will you get the knowledge or skills?

What skills do you already have?

What skills do you need to work on to lead better?

How will you develop these skills?