Some time ago I wrote a guest post entitled The Secret to Resurrecting Dead Ministries…because there’s a need for dying ministries to have a “fundamental shift”: a new vision and a new purpose. These shifts are essential and only happen when there’s a shift in leadership: either the leader changes or is changed.
And since leadership is so essential, I wanted to focus on that.
Why? Because great change will not occur without great leadership. Great leadership always comes before great purpose. Before Israel is led out of Egypt there’s a Moses; before they’re brought into a Promised Land there’s a Joshua; before she becomes a great nation that smashes her enemies there’s a David; before her walls are rebuilt there’s a Nehemiah, and so on. There’s always a great leader somewhere in the shadows waiting to be raised up… and great leader this post is for you!
A great leader needs great leaders
Not “yes men”, but strong men. Not soldiers, but generals. Not just followers, but leaders in their own right. John Maxwell calls this The Law of the Inner Circle:
“A Leader’s Potential is Determined by Those Closest to Him.” [1]
When you come into power and you find the supporting leadership is weak…its time to clean house! Replace all the weak leaders with the strongest you can find. Jim Collins calls this getting the wrong people off the bus, the right people on, and then figuring out where to drive. [2]
A word of caution: the only thing that will stop the potential of your leadership team is you. Whether its your insecurities or weaknesses…your growth determines their growth. Unlike Saul, David was comfortable with having Mighty Men around him; and as a result his kingdom grew to awesome heights!
A mighty man attracts, retains, and empowers mighty men to do mighty things.
Next stop on the bus: purpose
We’re all guided by purpose. The Bible says, “The noble-hearted man has noble purposes, and by these he will be guided.” [3] But understand this: purpose is discovered not created. And with your leadership team you have to discover your organization’s purpose. This discovery takes the form of prayer, research, discussion, and rigorous debate!!
Rigorous debate??
You heard me: rigorous debate! I mean loud, vigorous, arm-waving, face-reddening, pounding-the-table arguments! Why? A couple of reasons:
- It promotes accountability. No one person has a stranglehold on truth. Group ideas are always better than one person’s ideas.
- It promotes buy in. People buy into things they help create. No involvement, no commitment.
- It promotes genuine friendship.
- It promotes unity.
It’s up to you to create that culture where truth can be spoken and heard.
No wonder the Bible said, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,” [4] because with that sharpening comes a lot of sparks!!!! You as a great leader have to be comfortable with sparks: people challenging your ideas…to your face, challenging each other, and coming to a conclusion that truly benefits the group.
Get away from these “politically correct” meetings! Challenge, confront, debate, make it loud, make it boisterous. You don’t agree? Tell ‘em! Hold nothing back!! Remember: its the honor of kings (or leaders) to search out a matter [5].
What are your thoughts?
- Maxwell, John. “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.” p.109
- Collins, Jim. “Good to Great.” p.63
- Isaiah 32: 8 (The Bible in Basic English)
- Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version)
- Proverbs 25:2 (King James Version)
