OK I Was Wrong

Thanks for the reminder Dan, I had this post sitting half-finished…

So we had a discussion about the leadership issues I’ve been facing as promised. It was a really good time, out in the sun, full up after a BBQ, deconstructing the issues of the past weeks/months and what should change as a result. Firstly, I was wrong about the oddness of “not leading anyone”. I think I failed to take into account the nature of drawing people together to outwork the vision of a leader. It may be a shared vision but ultimately it comes down to someone clearly defining it, communicating it and helping people make it happen. Which is leadership…

We also talked about the importance of “having a relationship” with the people you are leading. Lyd and I were discussing this again later and talking about the problems with this scaling and making sure I’m clear in my mind what that means in the context of the specific activity I am leading. Some of the problems that have risen up are caused by people joining an established group of worker where almost all are “close friends”. Having a relationship with someone is not being close friends, but it is being able to speak openly, without fear of offending each other about things are both positive and negative. I think where that level of relationship exists you can ride out the issues.

We talked about a number of other things too but John also lent me a book by Bill Hybels (of Willow Creek) called “Courageous Leadership” which I’m now over half-way through. It’s an excellent book which I’m going to buy because it’s one of those books that you need to read, then study, then read again, to get the most from it.

I think the best thing that has come from the discussion though is I’m now much more aware of the impact of my actions. I’m certain it’ll take a while to control and change them but at least I’m half-way there!

technorati tags:leadership, issues, church