3. Another Way to Spell Leader
What could be better than a pay raise? Affirmation! “Leadership has as much to do with the ‘soft sciences’ as with getting things done. We wildly underestimate the power of the tiniest personal touch of kindness.” Your people need varying levels of affirmation. Most affirmations, however, are “biodegradable” and must be replenished regularly. We all remember positive sentences said to us, and “play them” again and again. I know one exceptional Christian Education Minister who would never have left a pastor had this busy, spiritual leader focused simple kindness on his staff. The pastor still doesn’t know why staff moves.
How do we encourage others? First, by listening (see James 1:19 ). The L in Leader stands for listening. Then we E Empathize (see Romans 12:15 ). Rejoice with those that joy, weep with the sad. Ask the Holy Spirit for the heart of Christ to feel with the one with whom you’re talking. Next, Biblical leaders are good at comforting. Pain is standard in ministry and leadership. Our pain experiences become comfort avenues for others (see 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 ). And we carry others burdens, “fulfilling the whole law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Listen, Encourage, Affirm, Disciple, Empathize, Respect those God has placed in your hands! Potential miracles surround every leader. Praying together can begin the process of bonding their heart with yours. “This is my continual prayer, the perfecting of your characters.” (2 Corinthians 13:9, Williams).
4. Make Room For Mavericks
Maverick Industrialist Henry Ford said, “I’m looking for a lot of men with an infinite capacity for not knowing what can’t be done.” Is there room for mavericks in your organization, your house? The new staff member can bring fresh ideas, excitement, and valid perspective. Yet many soon flame out from the cold water sprayed by the leader. Leaders who have lost the quest to jump into a new century and win, rarely encourage the maverick staffer. Webster defines a maverick as “a pioneer, an independent individual who does not go along with a group.” No staffer is to be a rebel. Rebels are like witchcraft, and must never be hired (see 1 Samuel 15:22,23). It is rarely the institutional core of the church, but its radical fringe that makes the mega strides advancing Christ’s cause worldwide.
Joseph, Moses, Jesus, Paul, were all counter-culture in impact. Tom Edison and George Washington Carver were strange inventors who changed our world. Chester Carlson was laughed out of town for inventing the Xerox process. A Swiss watchmaker invented the quartz watch. His superiors rejected the idea. Americans and Japanese patented it, and Switzerland went from 85 percent global market share of watches to less than 15 percent.
When I suggested we evangelize Southern Methodist University to a leader years ago, he did not take to the idea. We were busy. I protested. My leader taught me a great lesson. He said, “If you believe God hears my prayers, that I desire to obey Him, pray that God will tell me.” I prayed four months. Suddenly the leader told me to begin evangelizing SMU. One of the harvest of students won and changed was the university president’s son! My maverick personality had to be willing to trust God to work in and through His leader.
All of us have failed in leading — at home, on the job, in the church. But Jesus is the Lord of change. “Come unto Me.” Get honest before God. Repent. Confess your sin also to those who follow you. Let’s return to Biblical leadership. The model for our ministry is still Jesus.
Note: Dr. Moore acknowledges the basis of these ideas, as found in Dr. Han Finzel’s excellent volume, “Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make.”
