What Every Leader Needs #5: Details Matter
*A blog series on what every leader needs to be effective in serving Christ*
The details matter, especially in leadership. I remember forgetting a small detail on a youth trip once that eventually ended up being a big problem! I forgot one of the student's medical release forms and we were 8 hours away from home at registration. What was once a small detail quickly became a bigger problem that was resolved but only after me floundering to find a way to get it sent to us. Not all of us are gifted in the area of details but every leader must learn how to handle the details effectively!
The spiritual gift of administration is a God-given ability to give direction and encouragement to fulfilling the goals of the Great Commission/Great Commandment. A leader who is gifted in this area (although all leaders should learn) will make effective decisions that will complete all ministry tasks quickly and efficiently (2 Corinthians 12:27-28). God is detailed as well! (Psalm 139).
Administration is the art of organizing people, situations, plans, documents with detail. People who are gifted in this area have a keen sense of focusing on details that will smooth out the overall big picture vision. A leader who does not have administration will be slowed down due to the daily tasks being overlooked and inaccurately completed. On every staff or team, there needs to be an administrator that is wise in the details and knows how to handle each small step so that the entire team completes the task with clarity.
Jesus organized by having his disciples with him and was able to use their gifts and abilities in ministry. Usually a leader that is gifted in administration can solve problems and think critically about problems in a systematic way. This spiritual gift is needed and useful for ministry. Not only will they handle the details, but be a strong foundation for the vision to become reality.
What Every Leader Needs #4: Admit It
*A blog series on what every leader needs to be effective in serving Jesus*
"I was wrong" is one of my least favorite responses. If you are like me, you dislike being told that you are wrong. Leaders make mistakes. As leaders we have a choice on whether we are going to live with pride or with humility when it comes to relationships. I would say that most arguments are usually petty problems that will not matter in eternity! We have a choice as leaders to win the argument or lose the relationship. Humility and the willingness to admit wrongs builds relationships and trust.
Why is this difficult? Human nature is competitive. We want to "one up" each other because one of Satan's tactics is to tempt us into the comparison trap. The attitude of pride builds and the focus is placed back on our abilities and not upon God's grace. When is the last time you admitted that you were wrong? The ironic fact is that some leaders will not even admit being wrong in the smallest of details. If the goal of leadership is to always be right, then there is no room for grace and ultimately the need for God's wisdom. God does not call perfect, all-knowing people to serve but those who are teachable and humble. The true nature of a leader will eventually come out when they are pressed (Matthew 7:15-27). A leader that is grounded in God's Word will not be shaken when crisis or confrontation occurs. Wisdom and character must be the bedrock of leadership for it to last and flourish.
What I am not saying is that we apologize every moment of the day when we make a mistake. Every leader needs a dose of humility and a willingness to admit when they are wrong. Leaders who model this create a safe place for relationships to form that will set the tone for the church. The important, essential truths of Christianity (salvation, virgin birth, resurrection, eternity) should be firmly defended at all costs. I have had to say, "I was wrong, will you forgive me" a lot in my lifetime! The result of admitting wrongs will lead to closer relationships. Learning from mistakes and improving on future decisions is the most important part of growing as a leader. My prayer is that the petty disagreements that happen on a daily basis never take precedence over loving people and leading them into a growing relationship with Christ!
What Every Leader Needs #3: Communication
*A blog series on what every leader needs to be effective in serving Christ. * Houston, we have a problem! Communication is crucial to what every leader needs to be effective. The task of leading people is lost without clearly explaining where the vision is being directed. In order to know what strategic plans to put in place, leaders must know what the distinct vision is and how to put it into practice. It is acting upon the goals of the organization in a way that is communicating in many ways. If a leader does not know where they are going, the people will definitely not know where they should go! Communicate with clear and exact wording so that people cannot make up in their minds what their interpretation of what you say.
A good tip for communication is that it needs to be in writing. Many times leaders can have a shotgun approach to communication that ends up being spread thin and forgotten. In order to plan with a strategy and an aim is to be rifle focused and head straight for the end goal in mind. Too many times the process of communication becomes muddled with a lack of explanation. The process must include asking the question, “is what I'm communicating being understood like I want them to understand it?” God calls leaders to be able to make decisions that affect the entire group and draw them closer to God. Explain as much information as possible and be willing to receive feedback on how it was received.
My goal is to communicate in the same way that a chef puts together a multi-layered cake. The approach is to communicate verbally, visually, and hands on. Each aspect is part of the cake of communication. Using every tool on the internet is wise as well to help people know the vision. I tend to use email, Facebook, twitter, text messaging, mail, monthly newsletter, and phone calls to communicate. We have more tools than ever before, so communication should have multiple layers to be effective.