Strategies for all season leadership
Leadership in this twenty first century is more complex, challenging and dynamic than ever. In every sphere of human endeavor, mediocrity is being pushed out. Today’s generation is all out for the best of the best. Be it in sport, business, governance, corporate enterprises, schools, clubs and the church, the need for pragmatic and performing leadership is strongly demanded.
It is suicidal for a leader to take his leadership responsibility for granted. May be because he founded the organization, or owns the largest shares or inherited the position, it is very certain that people will kick and resist strongly against a leadership that falls short of their expectations.
We will in this lecture look at various strategies that will keep your head up and high as a leader in whatever circumstance you may find yourself.
STRATEGIES IN TODAY’S LEADERSHIP
I King 4:29-30, Exo. 31:3, II Tim. 4:2
A strategist is a person skilled in planning things. By definition, strategy is a plan that is intended to achieve a particular purpose. Strategy is the process of carrying out a plan in a skillful and brilliant way.
Your success in leadership has a lot to with planning and wise execution. You need good plans to get great results.
It is very sad to note that many pursues greatness in leadership without plans and those who do poorly pursues their plans.
- The church of today is different to the church of the previous decades
- Some of the methods that worked five, ten years ago are no longer effective today.
- Strategy is better than energy- When wise and creative ideas are introduced, growth is certain.
- There are great resources, books, soft wares and materials that make leadership today easier. Wise leaders invest in these tools and move their work to the next level.
- Today’s church is blessed with gifted teens. Youths, when properly guided, adds value to the ministry and help move the work forward.
- Spending some money on equipment that will enhance the growth of the ministry is another important step in the right direction.
- Multi-media equipments
- Computers
- Audio visual for children
LEADERSHIP SEASONS: THE CHALLENGES – John 2:24
By season, we mean different times and experience we have in ministry and the challenges that comes with them.
Church leadership as you know is tasking for several reasons;
- The church is an organization of volunteers
- People are free to come or not to come
- They can serve or choose not to serve
- They can give or choose not to give
The larger membership of the church is made up of people who decide to stay and worship and if for any reason they think otherwise, they can go
- The church is made up of human beings
- They are never machines that can be programmed
- They can err, become stubborn or disappoint
- They can be frustrated, discouraged and put off
- They can become weary, tired and fed up
- They can allow themselves to be used of evil intention people and demons
- They can be supportive in the morning and withdraw their support by the afternoon
DIFFERENT SEASONS IN LEADERSHIP – Eccl. 3:1
- Time you have all the resources of growth. Money, manpower and materials.
- Time of loneliness– when only God and you understand the vision and call upon your life.
- Time of misunderstanding– when people don’t understand your vision.
- Time of confrontation– people will not always accept your vision. Some will challenge, confront and quarrel with you.
- Time of slander and criticism- There are times rumours are spread about your person to scandalize and destroy you.
- Times of testing– when God test your faithfulness.
- Times of uncertainties– when you don’t really see the possibilities of your vision coming to pass soon
- Time of mountain top experience– These are times that things are working well and fine.
- Time of valley experience– when the burden of the work becomes heavy and the presence of the Lord seem far away.
- Time of laughter- when things are working better than planned and prayed for.
- Time of abundance- when the supply is constant.
- Time of discouragement– when support and supply is scarce.
- Time of power– when God does more than you imagine in the lives of the people.
STRATEGIES FOR ALL SEASON LEADERSHIP – Phillip 4:13
The ‘all season leader’ is one with available grace of God and skills to handle all form of situation that comes his way in ministry. Such;
- Is Courageous and confident in God.
- Carefully studies the word of God for insight
- Candidly faces tough situation and gets solution.
- Considers issues thoroughly before going into conclusion.
- Consults widely before taking major decisions.
- Controls his emotions- Avoids unnecessary outbursts.
- Connects others- with knowledge, responsibilities and greatness.
- Conquers every machination of the devil through unceasing prayers.
- Contributes to the lives of those they lead positively and tirelessly
- Coordinates and motivates others to excel
STRATEGIES FOR ALL SEASON LEADERSHIP- II Tim. 4:2
An ‘all season leader’ is one who takes advantage of the opportunities around him to achieve God’s purpose for his life and ministry
- Study your environment
- You must understand the environment of your location. What worked in the other place may not work where you are.
- Study and understand your purpose.
- What are you really out to achieve with that work in your hands and where you are.
- Search for information that will help that work to go higher in your hands
- Stand in all situations with faith in God that he will see you through.
- Strategically present your vision through prayer to the church.
- Stand well-well- No matter how tough the opposition may be, put on the whole amour of God and keep the flag flying.
- Surround yourself with competent people- Train and empower them to do more than you
Emmanuel Olu Falodun