Don't think too hard about it...
Just real quick - leave a comment sharing what you are learning RIGHT NOW about leadership.
I'm talking REAL LIFE - RAW - UNEDITED. Not what you're learning about from a BOOK...
What are you learning RIGHT NOW about leadership where you're at.
ANY TYPE of leadership! Home, school, church, business, family, WHATEVER!
Let's SHARE and LEARN from each other.
GO.
i'm learning that if the leadership from the top is not visionary and effective, that channels down to the rest of the chain. Also that leadership needs to be authentic. You can't expect people to follow just because you have a title!!
Posted by: chuck harris | June 06, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I'm learning that leaders are made, not born. but some (few) get it more than others (many).
Posted by: Macker | June 06, 2008 at 10:27 AM
that motivating high school students requires more than just giving information and can be really difficult tough work - but when they get it - watch out.
and that when their parents get it too, just get out of the way...
Posted by: tony sheng | June 06, 2008 at 10:29 AM
If you don't train your leaders right-it will cause massive growing pains for the church and a lot of extra work for the pastors.
Therefore, I've got to do a better job of leading my leaders. So I'm asking these types of questions:
1. Am I being clear.
2. Am I mentoring them first-then empower them second to do ministry.
3. Are they broken for God and the mission of the Church not just our little church.
Posted by: Chris Marlow | June 06, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Leaders can never give up on those that they lead. Leading someone halfway to the goal is abandonment!
Posted by: David Farwell | June 06, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Life is about towels not titles. Am I truly willing to serve others and wash their feet, or do I get to a point where I think I'm to big for that. My heart says serve, but sometimes my actions say other things.
Posted by: Brandon Hester | June 06, 2008 at 10:31 AM
That it's easy to be lame at it, and hard to not be lame at it.
Hey, you said to not think too hard about it... :)
Posted by: Johnny Leckie | June 06, 2008 at 10:40 AM
That pursuit of consensus signals the death of vision.
Posted by: randy bohlender | June 06, 2008 at 10:42 AM
This may sound obvious and it's something I've known for awhile but it's really stuck out in my mind lately.
A great leader cannot expect those he/she leads to exhibit traits and qualities that they are not first displaying through their own actions.
A great leader ALWAYS supports those they lead and those that they lead know without a shadow of a doubt that their leader believes in them, has their back, and fully trusts them. You cannot do your job to the best of your ability when those above you are not fully confident of your ability to do your job.
Posted by: Jennifer Bell | June 06, 2008 at 10:43 AM
COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION!
One of the HARDEST things for me to do is find the medium and the occasion to cast vision and direction for our church. I'm learning that communication is hard, it is critical, and the rewards are priceless.
Posted by: John Baw | June 06, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Good question Scott...
Lots of things based on our recent move--scouting the territory and making sure I circle back to connect with constituents, for example.
Best,
Stosh
http://stoshdwalsh.wordpress.com
Posted by: Stosh | June 06, 2008 at 10:55 AM
vision must be communicated with clarity or people will decide what the vision is for themselves, amidst the confusion.
Posted by: Matt P. | June 06, 2008 at 10:57 AM
that you can not assume a position of leadership - that you must be placed there.
Posted by: Eric | June 06, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I'm learning the most about Mercy and being merciful with the leaders that I'm responsible for. I've learned people just need more understanding and that mercy can really open the door for teaching & correcting, or more importantly, forgiveness.
Posted by: Brad Gross | June 06, 2008 at 11:08 AM
encourage encourage encourage
give grace & then
encourage encourage encourage
& keep giving grace
Posted by: jonathan blundell | June 06, 2008 at 11:16 AM
I'm learning that I can't make everyone happy and, in fact, that making people happy isn't my job. My job is to lead them to Jesus. And along the same lines that having a big enough back door for the disgruntled to get out of isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'd rather have them out and keep the rest of the body clean and free from contamination.
Posted by: Dan Richardson | June 06, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I can even learn on my day off!
Posted by: John Scott | June 06, 2008 at 11:43 AM
In my context, I'm finding that I need to get my 30's and 40's men into leadership positions. Older men are doing it, the ladies are pulling their weight, but I think we need to transition to a younger group to restore vitality to the church. This isn't abandoning the wisdom of the older group, just mixing in some new guy too!
Chris Meirose
http://wasecachurch.org
Posted by: Big Chris | June 06, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Do more listening than speaking...
Chris Reeder
http://ChrisReeder.com
Posted by: Chris Reeder | June 06, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I'm learning that as a leader, my first responsibility is to follow consistently.
Posted by: Greg Allen | June 06, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I'm learning more and more that leadership is much more a lifestyle than a job title; its what you do not what people call you that really makes you a leader.
Posted by: Brian | June 06, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Developing as a leader can't happen in a vacuum. I need a mentor. Any thoughts?
Posted by: Jason Gordon | June 06, 2008 at 01:16 PM
It's messy!
Posted by: malcolm | June 06, 2008 at 01:29 PM
It's Hard!
Posted by: Jimmy Williams | June 06, 2008 at 01:33 PM
I seem to be reminded that there is so much that I don't know.
Posted by: bob robbins | June 06, 2008 at 01:36 PM