Bill Hybels in his latest book "Axiom" talks about his biggest mistake he's ever made as a leader. His response is insightful and an all to often heard comment.

"My biggest mistake has been placing people in significant leadership roles who were not first tested."

For me this has been the most chilling mistake I have ever made. I did it in my early ministry a lot. You'd think I would have learned ... remarkably I didn't! I kept doing it and kept doing it. Thankfully I think I have learned ... fingers crossed!

I ask this question; WHY do we place the wrong people in positions? I have 4 answers ...

1. We like someone and think the chemistry we had with each other would some how carry us through hard times. Invariably this will break down over a whole pile of others issues and you end up no longer being friends.

2. I gave someone a job because I wanted to keep them in church and happy. I learned a long time ago that what ever you compromise to keep you will eventually lose. This includes people you put into positions of leadership. Never put some one in leadership because you want to keep them because you will eventually lose them.

3. They looked good but eventually the real them will be revealed. This is why we need to come back to 1 Timothy 3:10 that says "they must first be tested." I have met a lot of people who look good. They have a "great menu" but have nothing good cooking in the kitchen. Test people first; nudge them in small and gentle ways to find out what's in their heart - do this before you put them in any position of leadership.

4. I have a leadership position "open" and I NEED someone to fill it NOW. Never surrender to the urgency of the moment. Never put some one in positions of leadership just because you are in desperate need. WAIT; PRAY; SEEK; LOOK for some one - but never be in a hurry to put some one in place until they are tested, proved and tried. God knows your need, God is aware of the situation. TRUST HIM.

Just a few thought for leaders in today's church. If you have any other thoughts why not comment below with your insights too.

Thanks for reading I hope this has helped you to become a more prepared leader.

Hear from you soon,

Tom Rawls
tomrawls@proclaimers.com

My Bible School professor would always say that "... delegation is the art of leadership." Sounds good until you start delegating stuff ... hey?

Delegation is vital if you want to lead a growing organisation, compnany or church and strategic systems are vital.

Delegation is to commit or entrust some thing or some duty to another person. It doesn't mean passing the buck to someone else - it means to entrust some one to do something you once did. It implies a bit of training, instructing and coaching. It implies some formal guidelines and may involve correction.

I have a little equation I use when delegating responsibilities. I never delegate 100%. For me it is always 80% with a 10% accountability package and 10% feedback functions built in.

The 80% involves their function and performance. What they are supposed to do and then how they are supposed to do it. The what and how will produce an objective, discernible and measurable outcome.

Look at the outcome; you'll find a 10% accountability package. This is usually me asking them to assure me that the job is being done. I want assurances they are moving along with the process. If I am not assured they are doing the job I keep asking questions and keep going back to them until I am assured. I want to be sure.

During the process there is a 10% Feedback function - this usually takes place via email and incorporates "headlines." Usually a number of bullet points I can scan quickly. If I have a question concerning anything I then write or call and ask for greater feed back from them.

This simple equation of delegation has saved me lots of stress, disappointment and frustrations and has saved a number of our staff and volunteers heart ache.

I hope this works for you as well as it does for me.

 

Tom Rawls

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