Since September 2012, I have had the distinct pleasure and privilege of being mentored by a very gifted organizational leader, who has been in the leadership game for over 6 decades. (he's not going to like that piece of info going public...sorry dude!) The other day, during our monthly get together, we began the process of re-evaluating our year and to plan a little for the summer. While we were digging in, I realized that a huge convergence of information and skills were coming together for me as a result of my time with this man. My heart was filled with gratitude for the Lord's gracious dealings with me in providing yet another substantial mentor in my life. The line of mentors who have shaped me is long and I was compelled by the pricking of the Spirit to make sure that I took note of the general leadership lessons that I have learned along the way this past year. I hope these meanderings confirm or enlighten what the Lord is seeking to do in your life:
1. Know Your Outcome: What are you trusting the Lord to bring about? (Stole this from Steven Covey, but I don't really care, it sounded better coming from my current mentor) i.e.--Mission Statement, Goals, etc.
2. Everything we do should help us to move forward towards reaching our goals.
3. The White Board is your friend! ((Especially a really big one; one that will cut you if it falls on you, like it did on my mentor. He's such a baby. He is still whining about that! Just kiddin') The best ideas come from letting your leaders dream and be creative! It plays a big part as well in helping to establish buy in with your leaders. It's all about ownership!!!
4. Never allow an action step to stand alone! Give that baby a tail so that it can rub up against some other stuff and knock it into the path of where we are going. Follow up, Follow Up, Follow Up!!! It's good to get actions 'strung out' so that our efforts help get others 'hooked.' (Using some drug addict lingo to get the point acrossed! Nice! I know, I know, probably not appropriate, but I do minister in the hood you know? it's relevant to our context! I bet my missions professors weren't thinking this principle would get played out quite like that, huh?)
5. Get as Connected as One Can. Be the folks that your city can look too for assistance in dealing with common space problems. Win-win scenarios are boss!!! Rolodex, here I come!
6. It's not only who you know, but who 'they' know! And that goes both ways; it's o.k. to be the networker from time-to-time to help others.
7. 'No matter what you do, make sure you walk before you run'! Getting all the pieces together, though its slower, will make for a much better product and reception. 'Packaging is more important than content 9 times out of 10!' Totally stole that one! Nice!!!
8. Know who you are and aren't and plan accordingly! If we don't, the leading and opportunities of the Spirit could pass us right by because we weren't aware of how we might fit in various circumstances. (By the way, this probably should have been #2, 3, or 4. Hey, I am in process right?)
9. In selling 'anything', one has to know what your audiences' 'itch' is, and then Scratch like crazy!!! I hate this one, but I relunctantly agree. The motives of the human heart are so screwed up! Makes me feel like the ultimate manipulator, but then when I look at the work of the Holy Spirit, I realize that I am in good company! We all need a little motivation to move, don't we?
Well, there you have it! That's what I've been learning about leadership lately! Now, I am impressed that I remembered all that, but remembering it when it needs to be applied is the key. Oh boy, these muscles are going to need some working out to get proficient. Pray for me and us and all those other people! Love you guys!
1. Know Your Outcome: What are you trusting the Lord to bring about? (Stole this from Steven Covey, but I don't really care, it sounded better coming from my current mentor) i.e.--Mission Statement, Goals, etc.
2. Everything we do should help us to move forward towards reaching our goals.
3. The White Board is your friend! ((Especially a really big one; one that will cut you if it falls on you, like it did on my mentor. He's such a baby. He is still whining about that! Just kiddin') The best ideas come from letting your leaders dream and be creative! It plays a big part as well in helping to establish buy in with your leaders. It's all about ownership!!!
4. Never allow an action step to stand alone! Give that baby a tail so that it can rub up against some other stuff and knock it into the path of where we are going. Follow up, Follow Up, Follow Up!!! It's good to get actions 'strung out' so that our efforts help get others 'hooked.' (Using some drug addict lingo to get the point acrossed! Nice! I know, I know, probably not appropriate, but I do minister in the hood you know? it's relevant to our context! I bet my missions professors weren't thinking this principle would get played out quite like that, huh?)
5. Get as Connected as One Can. Be the folks that your city can look too for assistance in dealing with common space problems. Win-win scenarios are boss!!! Rolodex, here I come!
6. It's not only who you know, but who 'they' know! And that goes both ways; it's o.k. to be the networker from time-to-time to help others.
7. 'No matter what you do, make sure you walk before you run'! Getting all the pieces together, though its slower, will make for a much better product and reception. 'Packaging is more important than content 9 times out of 10!' Totally stole that one! Nice!!!
8. Know who you are and aren't and plan accordingly! If we don't, the leading and opportunities of the Spirit could pass us right by because we weren't aware of how we might fit in various circumstances. (By the way, this probably should have been #2, 3, or 4. Hey, I am in process right?)
9. In selling 'anything', one has to know what your audiences' 'itch' is, and then Scratch like crazy!!! I hate this one, but I relunctantly agree. The motives of the human heart are so screwed up! Makes me feel like the ultimate manipulator, but then when I look at the work of the Holy Spirit, I realize that I am in good company! We all need a little motivation to move, don't we?
Well, there you have it! That's what I've been learning about leadership lately! Now, I am impressed that I remembered all that, but remembering it when it needs to be applied is the key. Oh boy, these muscles are going to need some working out to get proficient. Pray for me and us and all those other people! Love you guys!