Final Flashcards
What is a leader/leadership? (3)
Three Basic Components of Leadership:
1) Someone people follow
“The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers” (Peter Drucker)
2) Someone who influences
“At its root, leadership is the exercise of influence in the service of a shared cause” (Lindsay)
“Leadership is influence. That’s it. Nothing more; nothing less” (John Maxwell)
3) Someone who mobilizes towards a common goal
“Stripped to its essentials, leadership involves just three things–a leader, followers, and a common goal you are leading them towards” (Warren Bennis)
Why is leadership needed? (4)
1) Leaders shape the values in an organization
2) Leaders bring together a common vision/direction (they cast the vision and direct the flow of energy; w/out leaders there is generally chaos, confusion, and lack of direction)
3) Leaders are the ones who make things happen (they catalyze, they are change agents; they enable others to act)
4) Leaders are critical to keeping things going (w/out leaders good results are both random and unsustainable; the status quo takes over)
How does one’s STRUCTURAL social context influence leadership?
Structural: this is the pattern of expectations and exchanges among internal players (staff and board) and external constituencies (congregation)
—Assumes (a) goals, strategies, objectives, (b) interest in performance, efficiency, effectiveness (c) an order for how things happen (d) vertical coordination of authority, rules, policies (e) lateral coordination of task forces, networks (f) time lines and accountability
Leadership Challenge:
(A) look less at the individual-more at the structure-how to allocate, coordinate
(B) guide the organization to an appropriate structure that will maximize efficiency
(C) work through systems problems
(D) think through this frame in making decisions–what is the policy? is the structure appropriate for the organization?
What are core values? Why establish them for leadership?
(a) Core values are the inner (intrinsic) beliefs, the moral compass. They make up a person’s character, their true self. They are the timeless essentials that remain fixed.
(b) They DETERMINE and shape leadership (which shapes the organization). It sets the norms and culture of an organization. They INSPIRE and encourage followership. It’s what makes you a leader worth following. They CREATE influence. They GENERATE energy.
What are the core skills of a leader? (8)
1) LEADING: organizational/management skills, financial managing, delegation skills, problem solving skills, good judgment/decision making, time management, conflict management, etc.
2) DISCERNMENT: recognize and respond to the activity of God, recognize the ability and character and calling of people around you, knowing who to go to for advice/wisdom, knowing the difference between stepping out in faith and being reckless.
3) ENERGIZING: the ability to motivate and generate movement, inspire, fostering buy-in, emotional intelligence.
4) PERSEVERANCE: tenacity, resilience, strong resolve, coolness under fire, unswerving loyalty.
5) FORESIGHT: has a sense of direction, a sense of where the future is going, able to paint a picture that produces passion in people, able to visual greatness/excellence, innovative.
6) ADJUSTING: able to adapt to a changing world, to a multicultural world, culturally attuned.
7) CREATING: imaginative, inquisitive, curious.
8) MASTERING THE CONTEXT: self aware, culturally aware, attuned to reality
What is a mission? How do you establish one?
(A) The mission defines the key objectives, the PURPOSE of the organization. It’s a broad statement of why we are here, the central, abiding, and non-negotiable task.
(B) Be clear, be convinced, create the statement (focused, inspiring, concise, memorable), lead through your mission
What is vision? How is it different from mission? How does one gain a vision?
(A) Vision particularizes the mission (to the region, speciality, focus, current goals). It’s an ability to see into the future (where you are going). It’s a clear mental picture of what could be (and should be).
(B) 1) Vision flows out of the mission, 2) Mission is more philosophic, vision more strategic, 3) Vision is much more focused and detailed, customized, unique, 4) Vision is a picture of what God is calling me to do in my time and in my place
C) 1) Go to the mountain–reflect/pray, (wrestle with your context, abilities, passion, core values, goals, God’s will, your discontent), use your imagination. 2) Engage in collaboration 3) Enter into long term thinking–appreciate the past, live in the present, think out into the future. 4) Create an ownership–in yourself and others 5) Stay focused
What are strategies?
Strategies are systematic choices about HOW to carry out the mission and mission–how to deploy resources, achieve goals, maximize strengths, reach the desired outcome. It’s the game plan.
Strategies and objects are very fluid–living, breathing, evolving all of the time to meet the changing conditions posed by culture and life.
What are objectives? What are some basic rules for creating objectives?
(A) Objectives are the tactical side of leadership–the tangible statements, the tactics employed to carry out the strategies–the action plan of what needs to happen now. They are measurable statements spoken in operational terms. They are the plan of execution.
(B) (1-2) Make them measurable and assignable. (3-4) Keep them fluid and keep reviewing them. (5) Think through them together. (6) Link them to the strategy and vision. (7) Establish key performance indicators. (8) Expect accountability. (9) Create and maintain a sense of urgency. (10) Provide incentives.
How does one lead an organization to be strategic?(Characteristics of good decision making)
1) Diagnose (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, trends)
2) Develop guiding policies for choices (think through facility, staffing, mission, etc.)
3) Make sure action coheres
4) Make strategy everyone’s everyday job
5) Make strategy a continual process
6) Submit our strategies to God
The 12 commandments of change
1) Develop a vision and a strategy
2) Question the status quo
3) Underscore the need, create the urgency*
4) Involve people through change
5) Anticipate resistance
6) Respect the past
7) Leave some things the same
8) Aim for the 80 percent
9) Be wise with early successes
10) Anticipate Losses
11) Be willing to reconsider
12) Be frantic learners
The principles of effective team building
1) Respect the value of working with teams
2) Build with the best (find the right people)
3) Pay attention to follower readiness
4) Treat people with dignity and respect
5) Steward resources with wisdom
6) Keep everyone focused on the mission
7) Communicate with the team
How should you respond wisely to challenges?
1) Face them, don’t hide from them
2) Avoid demonizing your opponents
3) Avoid responding defensively
4) Give them the appropriate energy
5) Weigh and assess the criticisms
6) Choose which battles to fight
7) Aim to reconcile and heal
What makes leadership so complex? (7)
1) Different follower readiness (skilled vs. unskilled, willing vs. unwilling)
2) Different conditions (peacetime vs. wartime, maintain vs. innovate)
3) Different contexts (what’s the goal? what role are they called to?)
4) Different cultures (e.g. power distance)
5) Different styles, personalities, traits (gregarious vs. shy, impulsive vs. methodical, controlling vs. empowering)
6) Different times (old hierarchical model vs. relational)
7) Different expectations
How does one become a leader?
A) Some say leadership is innate/a talent (this is not to say that leadership is automatic; one may fail to live up to one’s innate make up)
B) Some say leadership is acquired/learned (anyone willing to invest time in leadership development can do it; it is nurtured through study, experience, training, etc.)
C) Others say leadership is summoned (leaders are called; they are roused into existence by rising to the occasion)
D) All are right in part: Leaders are the product of birth, development, and occasion. (it is a gift–Rom. 12:8; 1 Cor. 12:28; it is developed–Moses, Joshua, David, Paul; it is a summons–Jer. 1:5; Ps. 75:6-7; Josh. 3:7)
