I will be attempting to post again every week some thoughts about leadership in congregational settings.
While I have been on medical leave, I read the newest journal from Lifelong Faith (see www.lifelongfaith.com).
There is a summary of two books by Kouzes and Posner about leadership. Their book, The Leadership Challenge lists five practices by effective leaders which they drew from their extensive research with leaders in organizations and how they mobilize others to get things done. Their work really resonates with my personal experiences in leadership, my own research, and other things I have read. Kouzes and Posner list five succinct practices:
1. Model the Way - People first follow the person and then the plan. In my research for my doctoral dissertation modeling as a key component of effective leadership became clear to me.
2. Envision the Future - imagine exciting and ennobling possibilities.
3. Challenge the Process - look for creative ideas, experiment, be willing to fail and learn from failure.
4. Enable Others to Act - promote cooperative goals and build a team by nurturing others.
5. Encourage the Heart - show appreciation, celebrate values and victories.
There is much more information listed. I have just created a very brief summary.
For me the vision part is the hardest. I get caught up in the doing but visioning takes time. Not just to have a vision but to communicate that vision in a way others can "catch it." That is where I have the hardest part. My visions tend to put people off. They are too big, too hard , too vague or "too" something that others back off rather than jump on board. Any one had some success in that area?
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