Stay Surrounded
Strong leaders surround themselves with strong leaders! This statement is not new advice in leadership development circles. Statistics show that “every organization is a reflection of its leadership” and the stronger the leadership base, the stronger the program, job or ministry. Who surrounds you will influence your thinking and actions. Here are a few guidelines that I have found helpful in my “surroundings.”
· Get in and stay in a solid weekly Bible Study: This is imperative to a solid Christian leader. We all need a place where we can sit under the authority of scripture with others; where honest dialog, prayer and concern for each other will foster personal growth. I am in a weekly small group with my wife and this Fall we are beginning a special curriculum called: Rooted. Our group has met together for the past 4 years and is one of my great “surroundings.”
· Surround yourself with people who make you better, not comfortable: As a leader or manager it is easy to hire a “YES” team to tell you what you want to hear. This can make us feel comfortable, but not exceptional. The exceptional leader hires people who challenge and pursue excellence in every task set before them. Challenging ideas are the lifeblood of all exceptional ministries and organizations. With whom do you surround yourself?
· Get good counselors around you: Pr. 11:14, “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety.” Pr. 15:22, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.” The advice from Solomon: Don’t make decisions in a vacuum! There is an emptiness that comes from decisions made without good counsel. Sometimes just a walk around the office or a phone call bouncing your idea off of others can save you a lot of, “I told you so…” remarks. I have a “Hot List” of counselors that I regularly go to for advice. Create your own “Hot List” and use it often.
· Learn: Read and learn. Bill Hybels often says, “ A growing leader is always reading a book on leadership.” There are hundreds of books on leadership that range from history to the present. Reading from a variety of authors will keep you busy learning character, styles and skills of leadership. Need some help? Try: J. Oswald Sanders, John Maxwell, Peter F. Drucker, Dr. John Townsend, and some of my personal favorites: C.H. Spurgeon, Richard Baxter and John Owen.
· Observe and listen: Some of my greatest leadership development has come from observation. I am fortunate to be able to observe first hand many gifted leaders who surround me daily. I see their strengths and weakness. I try to incorporate their strengths and learn from their weakness’s.
Who surrounds you?
Fellow-Pilgrim,
Gene Molway
Romans 12:7 “…If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.”