5 Leadership Lessons It Took A Long Time To Learn

I was recently asked by Christianity Today's Building Church Leaders to compile a short list of leadership lessons that I've learned and then briefly explain them in a sentence or two.  I spent quite awhile thinking about the leadership lessons that it took me a several years to learn.  Here are five lessons that took me a long time to learn and now you can learn them in less than five minutes.

1. The “God-Thing” Comes Before  The Vision
Most leaders make the mistake of thinking that change starts with their vision; change starts with a “God-thing”.  It is the leaders’ job to identify where God is at work and to communicate the vision of what God is doing and how we must get involved in His work.

2. Money Always Follows Vision
People give money to a compelling cause with a clear vision.  When economic times are hard leaders are tempted to reduce the budget and the vision. NO!  Increase the vision and money will follow.  Never forget - God is always at work and vision is free!

3. Make It Fit On A Napkin.
If it can’t be explained on a napkin it is too complicated.  Make sure everything from your slogan, to your process for disciple-making to how you will create a movement can be explained on a napkin.  If is simple and reproducible you can mobilize the masses. 

4. Lead With A “Yes” And Ask “How” Later
If you want to lead in bringing about innovation learn to lead with a “yes” and not “how”.  People are born with dreams from God and they want to make a difference.  What they need most is a leader who will say “yes” when they ask for permission to give it a try.

5. Take Risks On Emerging Leaders & Artists
Resist the urge of telling young leaders to wait a few years; they need and deserve opportunities to lead, so take a risk on them now!  Good art always involves risk; so if you want good art in your church you must take risks on your artists!

OK, now I've told you five lessons of leadership that took me a long time to learn...leave me a comment and give me one or two of yours!

Comments

[Rabi]

Here is a series on
Principles of Christian Leadership http://www.cfcindia.com/web/mainpages/preparation_for_church_leadership.php

And here is a link to a book titled A Spiritual Leader
http://www.cfcindia.com/web/mainpages/book_window.php?book=a_spiritual_leader"

[Greg Atkinson]

I love it. Look for me to come back to you and ask you about these for my book. Great stuff!

[Dr. Barry E. Winders]

Dave,

You are absolutely right about people giving money to a compelling cause. People ask, "Why should I give and Why should I attend?

Thanks for your insights, the work you are doing and your blog.

[mark]

For every good idea that someone brings to the table the question has to be asked "how does this idea help us reach our vision." if it does nothing to move the ball down the field towards the vision you really have to ask yourself why are we doing this. I know a lot of churches that have mission and vision statements that fit on a napkin and that's where they stay.

[Mark]

The most important leadership principal I have learned is that every "good idea" has to be put through the vision/mission filter. If it does not strategically move the ball down the field towards achieving the vision, we really have to ask the tough question, "Why are we doing this?" I believe a lot of good churches are stuck chasing good ideas that lead nowhere.

[Mark]

Oops ... posted the same comment twice ... my bad:(

[Dave Ferguson]

Thanks for the links and positive feedback.

Mark, I agree with you about the mission/vision filter. We definitely need it. The reason that didn't make this list is that I see too many leaders using that filter in a way that stifles innovation and we need more permission giving. Thanks! Dave

[Julie]

Great post, Dave!! You definitely live out all 5 of these things, and that's a big part of why God has brought Community to where we are!

[Jeff Pessina]

Hi Dave; I wonder how we can be sure that we don't "grow to pieces" if we lead with too much "yes"? And is it, in your opinion, possible to lead with too much yes? Too much of a good thing can be bad, right? Perhaps this factor is the least of some churchs' concerns. But here at our ministry we have worried about growing too fast, and following so many ideas, that we might possibly grow out of cohesion; losing (possibly, I say) the identifiable and distinctive marks of a mission work determined to do thus and thus in this way and that way. Does this make sense to you? I mean that we might remain glued together by more than a bunch of ideas of reaching more souls. As you can well imagine, there are a million ways of going about that task. But at what point can we be sure that we should NOT question, say, an idea to go to Khazakistan (sp?) ASAP, or to set up Bible Booths on the corners of major cities, etc... etc... Any thoughts?

[Billy Chia]

Great list!

One of mine:

Do less, cut back, and simplify. When you've slashed to the core then pick something else to stop doing. You don't have to do everything on your own - leave some room for other people do something.

[Jason Curlee]

Position Yourself For Opportunities - As a leader, pastor, or church your need to be positioned to move when an opportunity crosses your path.

[Bill (cycleguy)]

Don't know if this makes a list anywhere else (maybe a Top 10 instead of a Top 5) but one the lessons I needed to learn badly was "Be Yourself." I cannot be a Dave Ferguson or a Perry Noble or anyone else. One pastors way of forming and sharing a vision may not be what works for someone else.

[Mitch]

As a leader one must persevere with great confidence that the mission will be accomplished. This falls under the category of like "speed the leader speed the team", if the leader stops, the team will stop also. But if the leader runs the great race for God's mission, so will the team.

A bunch of cliches but still think they are true.

[phill longmire]

What is your napkin for creating a movement...and discipleship?

[Scott Fillmer]

I just love top 10 lists, but sometimes a top 5 is just as good, great list. I love #4, lead with a "yes". That is tough, sometimes I think the most common word used is "no".

I always had a running philosophy to never ask the question because the answer is going to be "no", great post.

[Read Scott]

You mentioned giving young guys a chance. What if the young guy has displayed a non-committing attitude or behavior? He frequently visits other churches, but still asks to be in a leadership role at our church.

How should that play out?

[Pudge Huckaby]

Dave,

Very cool stuff! I always love learning more about leadership! :)

Thanks!
pudge

[Sterling]

Hey Dave,

thanks for this great and insightful post. 5 points that could fit on a napkin that I'll try to write onto my heart as a leader. Here's one that I'm learning, albeit sometimes, the hard way...

You are 100% responsible.

If there's hurt, I can ask forgiveness. If misunderstanding, I can communicate more clearly. If there's lack of help, I can delegate more effectively. Learning that my challenges are not rooted in other people's problems and failures is a tough but needed lesson.

Thanks for leading well & paving the way for a whole generation of leaders to learn from you!

Sterling

[Bryan]

Thanks for these great thoughts. The napkin test is great.

[Tre Lawrence]

No 5! No 5!! No 5!!!

Great list!

[Term Paper]

It is utterly right. I admire your thoughts and perception. Hope to see new updates from your soon. Thanks for sharing

[Michael]

No.3 is superb. i do agree with that. thanks for sharing your experience with us

Job vacancies

[Noah Lomax]

Thanks for the great article! As a young leader, I'm thankful for someone who says "take risks on emerging leaders." Many times I have heard people say "you aren't old enough yet." I know they mean well, but I the opportunity to try under someone who can redirect me seems to be more valuable than waiting until I'm out on my own. If I fall on my face then, who helps me up? Great post!

[Dave Ferguson]

Thanks Noah! If you ever decide to start a church, let me know! Dave

[Eric]

Dave: love the 5 principles. In business, NPO or church it is really all about people. people that work for/with you and people/customers/clients/congregants you work for. I am not a pastor per se but am often perplexed when this overriding principle is often not on "top of the list" in church matters as it should be