Removing the lid

Nov09
2011 30 Comments Written by danonleadership

This is a guest post by Marc Millan. He is a worship pastor and fellow blogger, you can read his blog here. If you want to guest post on this blog please send me an email at danblackonleadership@gmail.com

John Maxwell says “everything rises and falls with leadership”. If you look organizations across the globe, regardless of time it’s pretty easy to see the difference in most organizations, it lies with a leader. How do we go “from good to great” like Jim Collins wrote? There are a few steps I believe make the biggest difference in leadership and it has to do with growth. If you are hitting a wall and seem to be stuck, you can remove this leadership lid with a few disciplined habits.

1. Read regularly- Reading books always allows you to receive fresh insight but it also keeps you sharp because it will lead to development and new concepts. You should read on topics that relate to your leadership function and also from different perspectives, this way your thinking is always stretched.

2. Get feedback- Have one or two people evaluate your progress and execution, this ensures that you aren’t convincing yourself of something that isn’t noticeable. We have a tendency to think we are more successful than we really are, getting regular feedback breaks that habit and allows for truth to keep us moving forward.

3. Remain humble- You will benefit from humility far more than pride because humility tells us we are not perfect. Remaining humble allows you to pursue growth and truth from anyone who is willing to give it, in doing so you will find yourself learning constantly. Having an open mind and teachable spirit through humility allows for other’s to pour into you and remain an open book for potential growth.

The combination of these three steps will allow you always to move forward, avoid pitfalls and detours but it takes discipline, takes commitment and purpose. If you continue to stick with a personal growth plan you will never get stuck and will remove the lid permanently.

Question: What other ways can we remove the leadership lid?

Posted in Personal Growth & Development - Tagged , ,
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  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    I particularly like #1. So many times we want to seem like good leaders instead of taking the discipline to educate ourselves and actually be good leaders.

    • Anonymous

      True Loren. We need to be disciplined and continue to grow and educate ourselves to become better. Thanks for the comment.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Getting educated and leading ourselves is huge.
      M_

  • http://www.jasonvana.com Jason Vana

    The only thing I would add is having a mentor or coach. They tend to see things in our lives we don’t see ourselves and can help push us in the direction we want to go. Another great post Marc!

    • Anonymous

      Having a mentor or coach is so important to raising our leadership lid. Thank you for sharing.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Yup, totally agree Jason.
      M_

  • http://www.j4man.wordpress.com Jim F.

    Good thoughts Marc. I would say that having a group of people who are leaders/pastors that you can sit down with regularly and talk about leadership/pastoring issues – really it is #2. I would also say with #1 – reading things outside of what you normally read is helpful because it gets you thinking differently sometimes. Jason also makes a good point with a mentor/coach too.

    • Anonymous

      Having consistent and honest feedback on both the good and bad ares you need to work on is important. Great points Jim.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Gotta have a mentor.

  • Brandon

    Remaining humble is definitely the most important!

    • Anonymous

      I believe being humble is the key to always moving forward and becoming better. Thank you for reading and commenting.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Agreed, that opens the heart to get better, get informed and grow.
      M_

  • http://www.spencermcdonald.net Spencer McDonald

    I suggest we are bold and go where most leaders do not anymore. That place is “thankfulness.” We should put it on our daily agenda to thank ten people without any reason other than you want to thank them for something outstanding they did in your eyes.

    This might be an extension of the humility piece of a leaders fabric. Be proud of those you lead and lift them up with good words and thoughts that come from the heart and not through email. Get a real thank you card and write inside of it your message and leave it on a desk or drop it in the mail.

    I would love to hear how this challenge goes. You can write me at my blog if you like.

    • Anonymous

      Such a great point. Thankfulness is a characteristic we all need to have. I have heard Oprah suggest having a grateful journal. Though she means to keep track of everything your grateful/ thankful for. I think having journal of people you want to thank or add value to would be beneficial. Thank you for reading and sharing.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Spencer, yes, saying thank you for me is part of my process in Humility, knowing that people around me deserve credit.
      M_

  • http://tijuanabecky.wordpress.com Becky

    We can say no, keep our bodies healthy, and communicate well amongst others to add. Love your last one on staying humble, that is hard to remember sometimes.

    • Anonymous

      Good points Becky. Thank you for stopping by.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Becky thanks for your thoughts, staying humble is the HARDEST part of our daily living.
      M_

  • http://pogoski.com Martin

    Good solid and concise list. I agree with it fully. One more to add would be “Admit your mistakes and change course accordingly.” Great leaders are born out of times of when hard decisions must be made. No person can be expected to be correct all of the time. Admitting to mistakes and changing course are the marks of a great leader.

    • Anonymous

      Martin, This is an essential point. We need to learn from our successes and failures/mistakes. This allows a leader to move forward. Thank you for stopping by.

    • http://About.me/marcmillan Marc Millan

      Thanks Martin, I totally agree with admitting mistakes, that’s huge.
      M_

  • A. Amos Love

    Haven’t you ever wondered why Jesus taught His Disciples NOT to be called “Leaders?”
    For you have “ONE” leader – the Christ. Mat 23:10 NASB – And NONE did… ;-)

    New American Standard Bible – Mat 23:10-12.
    Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
    But the greatest among you shall be your servant.
    Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled;
    and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

    The Message – Mat 23:10-12 –
    And don’t let people maneuver you into taking charge of them.
    There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
    **Do you want to stand out? – Then step down. – Be a servant.**
    If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you.
    But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.

    Jesus instructed **His disciples** NOT to be called **leaders** and NONE did.

    Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
    Php 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ,
    Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ,
    Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God,
    Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God
    2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant

    **His Disciples** all called themselves **Servants.**
    None called themselves “Leaders.” None? None.
    None called themselves “Servant-Leader.” None.

    If Jesus instructed **His Disciples** NOT to call themselves “leaders”
    and someone calls them self a “leader” or thinks they are a “leader;”

    Are they a “Disciple of Christ?”

    Why isn’t what Jesus said important? ;-)

    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
    them also I must bring, and they shall **hear MY voice;**
    and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
    John 10:16

    One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice – One Leader

    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}

    • Anonymous

      Good scriptures. Are you saying we are not called to be leader’s? I do not fully know the point you are making, could you please explain more so I understand?

  • A. Amos Love

    Dan

    You write…
    “John Maxwell says “everything rises and falls with leadership”.” – Where is that in the Bible? ;-)
    …. If that’s true? Does Jesus, NO longer have influence with the “rise and fall” of His Ekklesia?

    “How do we go “from good to great” like Jim Collins wrote?” – Where is that in the Bible? ;-)
    …. Didn’t Jesus, as man, say, “Why call me good, there is none good but God?”

    You mention “leadership” and “going from good to great”… But, in Phil 2:7-8 it says how… Jesus – Made Himself of NO reputation. Took on the form of a “servant.” And humbled Himself.
    Going “from good to great” doesn’t sound like Jesus – Or His Disciples…

    Didn’t Paul the apostle lift up Jesus? NOT a mere fallible human?

    For we preach NOT ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;
    and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
    2 Cor 4:5

    I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…
    Gal 2:20

    And – Didn’t John the apostle lift up Jesus? NOT a mere fallible human?

    I must decrease – He must increase…
    John 3:30

    Haven’t you ever wondered…
    Why NOT one “Disciple of Christ,” in the Bible, called them self – “Leader?”
    Why NOT one “Disciple of Christ,” in the Bible, called another “Disciple of Christ” – “Leader?”

    That’s why I asked…
    If Jesus instructed ** His Disciples** NOT to call themselves “leaders” (And NONE did.)
    For you have “ONE” leader – The Christ…
    And *Today* someone calls them self a “leader” or thinks they are a “leader;”

    Are they a “Disciple of Christ?” ;-)

    If you had to choose…
    Do you want to be – or be “Known as” – a “Disciple of Christ?
    Or – Do you want to be – or be “Known as” – a “Leader?”

    Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
    Pro 20:17

    • Anonymous

      The bible is clear that God gives different gifts to people. One of those gifts is leadership.

      “If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12″ (Whole Chapter)

      “Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.”1 Corinthians 12:27-29

      I personally believe God has given some people the gift to lead others. Most of the time this is shown through the pastors and leaders within a church. God has called them to live a Godly live and lead others the way He wants.

      It is possible to be a servant/disciple of God and still have the gift of leadership. God should still be the head of your life.

      A great example of this is in Acts 6 and the passage says,

      “But as the believers[a] rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

      So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

      Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

      So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.”

      Your thoughts?

  • A. Amos Love

    Dan

    You mention “The gift of Leadership.” And some versions of the Bible do use this term.
    Maybe you’re correct and – “God has given some people the gift to lead others.”
    And they have permission to ignore Jesus teaching His Disciples NOT to be called “Leader.”
    And they assume the position of leader. Tell people they are leaders. And expect people to follow them and obey them because they have this gift.

    How do we know if someone has this “Gift of Leading?”
    How accurate do they have to be when they have this “Gift of Leading?” I mean…
    How many errors are they allowed before they are dis-qualified as an “incompetent Leader?”
    How many commands in the Bible, can they ignore, or re-define, before they are dis-qualified?

    Simple stuff like Jesus teaching His disciples NOT to Exercise Authority – BUT – be a servant…

    Mark 10:42-45 KJV..
    …Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles
    **exercise lordship* over them; and their great ones **exercise authority** upon them.
    BUT so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you,
    shall be your minister: (servant) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
    For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, (NOT to be served)
    but to minister, (serve) and to give his life a ransom for many.

    Simple stuff like Peter teaching elders NOT to be **lords over God’s heritage.**

    1 Pet 5:3 KJV
    Neither as being **lords over God’s heritage,** but being examples to the flock.

    The challenge I have is – I’ve never met anyone who has “The gift of Leadership.” Oh, there are
    plenty who say they do – But – Wouldn’t someone who says they have this gift of “Leadership”
    also obey what Jesus taught His Disciples? NOT to Exercise Authority – BUT – be a servant…
    And also obey what the Bible says? NOT to be **lords over God’s heritage.**

    In my experience with Pastor/Leaders – And having been in “Leadership” shows me…

    No matter how loving… eventually…
    No matter how humble… eventually…
    No matter how much a servant… eventually…

    The so-called Pastor/Leader will “Exercise Authority” and be a “lord over God’s heritage.” :-(
    That’s always the beginning of “Spiritual Abuse” and dis-qualifies the so-called “Pastor/Leader.”
    But, will they remove themselves?

    “Pastor/Leader” = exercise authority = lord it over = abuse = always

    Does a mere fallible human really believe they have this “gift of leadership?” To lead God’s sheep?
    When Jesus says – My sheep *hear My Voice* – and follow me.

    Let’s see – Follow a mere fallible human – Or – Hear His Voice – and – Follow Jesus. Hmmm?

    That’s why I “Lead” people to Jesus as the “ONE” Leader – and away from mere fallible humans.

    In my experience…
    The best a mere fallible human “Leader” can give you is some “Truth” and some “Error.” :-(

    What is popular is not always “Truth.”
    What is “Truth” is not always popular.

    • Anonymous

      Those are some good questions and points.(On this comment and the last one you posted) I’m currently so busy taking care of my wife who is in the hospital (She is pregnant and the have to monitor the baby 24/7 due to her water breaking early) that I can’t take the time to answer them. Sorry.

      I hope you still will read this blog and add biblical perspectives and your own thoughts. I will try and reply to future comments. Also do you have a blog? I would love to read it when I’m able to.

      Have a blessed day :)

      • A. Amos Love

        Dan

        Congratulations on the new baby.

        Check out the website

        God’s Words of comfort & Healing

        http://web.me.com/love101

        Lot’s of 8 x 10 posters in color, and black and white,
        with just The Word of God.

        You can post them on your wife’s hospital rooms walls.

        Be blessed and be a blessing…

        • Anonymous

          Thank you for sharing the site. Looking forward to posting the word of God on the walls of the hospital room.

          Thank you also for taking the time to connect and discuss. Really enjoyed hearing and learning from you.

          Have a Wonderful day!!!

  • A. Amos Love

    Dan

    Here’s an example how I see those who say they have “the Gift of Leadership” falling way short.

    One of the qualifications for a Pastor/Elder/Overseer, what most today call a “Leader,” is in
    1 Tim 3:4-5, where the overseer is to rule (proistemi) well his own house.

    (proistemi) is the word used for lead Rom 12:8 ESV – the one who leads, (proistemi) with zeal…

    1 Tim 3:4-5
    One that ruleth (proistemi) well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
    (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

    Now the challenge I have is – If a Pastor/Elder/Overseer is considered a leader – then as many as
    70% do NOT qualify to be a Leader/Overseer based on this one qualification. Because…

    The statistics, from ministries helping burned out pastors say…

    http://pastoralcareinc.com/WhyPastoralCare/Statistics.php

    # 80% of pastors’ spouses wish they would choose a different profession.
    # 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families.
    ………….. Many pastor’s children do not attend church now
    ……………because of what the church has done to their parents.

    http://www.pastorcare.org/PastorCare/Healing___Health.html

    77% say they do “not” have a good marriage.

    According to these statistics – These Pastor/Leaders (The gift of Leading???)
    Are NOT leading (proistemi), ruling, managing, their families well – Are they?
    77% say they do “not” have a good marriage. 80% the spouse is NOT happy.

    And from my experience, and these stats, these so-called Pastor/Leaders – are NOT…
    leading, managing, or ruling well, the Church of God, The Ekklesia, the called out ones, of God,
    because they are NOT leading, managing, or ruling well their own house…

    Seems at least 77% of so-called Pastor/Leaders do NOT have “The Gift of Leading”
    based on this one qualification alone. ;-) The way is narrow – Yes?

    But will they remove themselves? Step down? and become a “servant?”