Empowering Leaders, Pt.1

Here are a couple of posts on empowering leaders in the church...

When we're raising up leaders, we're trusting other people in our organization into their care. To be an empowering leader is to "lead through this channel," rather than circumvent it.

It's tempting to cut around leaders because:

a. It strokes our ego to be the boss
b. We can respond more quickly to problems
c. We like to speak into every area

But the problem is we're castrating their leadership. We're basically saying to them: "I don't trust you." And we're saying to their team: "Your leader is not really your leader. I am."

That's all well and good (1) if you want to be the only leader in your organization, (2) if you like turn-over, and (3) if you like not having a life.

But if you want to be an empowering leader... lead through your leaders.

While pastoring, if I saw a problem, say, in the nursery, I would hold my breath, let the problem go, and catch up with my nursery director after the service. I knew that if I addressed the problem, her leadership would be diminished in her team's eyes... and I'd end up being the pastor AND the nursery director.

Comments

[Abby]

When are you going to write a book on people-driven industry management? I have read a lot of management books, and I am always struck by the fact that management in the corporate world always comes down to the dollar. In people-driven industries, like schools and churches, your end product doesn't have $ attached to it. Therefore, you cannot manage the outcome, or the people the same way. I LOVE THIS POST! Keep 'em coming.

[tony sheng]

great post Ben. in my experience, this process of "holding your breath" has one of the biggest challenges as a leader. sometimes, it seems like everything you have worked for could go down the tubes if you don't step in and make it right like only you can do...
i think it also requires a long term perspective and that perspective takes a lot of energy and molding to cultivate.

[Ben Arment]

short term, sabotage - long term, organizational strength

[tucker hibbs]

great thoughts bro. hits home more than i can say