The Secret Principle that Separates Good Leaders and Great Leaders
Good leaders are, by definition, good at their jobs. They know how to motivate their teams towards a desired result. They know how to cast inspiring vision. They can get things done and set goals that move their entire organizations forward into a desired future. But even good leaders can easily forget one essential principle — and if it goes unnoticed for too long, it can have crippling effects on their ministries.
What separates great leaders from good leaders
Good leaders set goals, build teams, cast vision, and partner with people to help them be successful. But great leaders know how to clear the obstacles and give their team the resources they need to succeed.
Casting vision and setting goals are important, but we have to remember that teams need resources to achieve those goals and realize that vision. Even the most worthy of goals will inevitably end in failure if your teams are constantly battling a lack of resources.
Four ways to get your team the resources they need
If you want to be a truly great leader, you have to make sure your team has the resources they need in these four areas before you set new challenges before them:
- No matter how many technological tools you’ve got at your disposal, you’ll always need people to turn your vision into reality. Who do you need on your teams to make it happen? If it’s existing staff, do they have the availability to do the work or are they committed to other projects? Can you wait for them, or do you need to hire someone else?
- Every new opportunity has a cost, of either money or time or priority. Do you completely understand those costs? Conversely, do you know what it would cost your church not to do it? Make sure you’ve answered these questions, and you’ll know what resources you need to ensure your new initiative goes well. Decide whether you’ve got the necessary cash to make it happen with excellence out of the gate, or decide on a plan to spend less and implement an entry-level solution as a first step.
- Even if you’ve determined you have the right people in place and the money budgeted to support your vision, you have to give your team the tools they need to succeed. Do you have the right technology and supplies in place? If not, can you execute with excellence in their absence or would it be better to wait?
- Great leaders have to set a realistic pace for reaching the vision. You have to get above the daily activities of your teams to see all the moving pieces and projects that affect them, and then set an achievable timeline. How much time is needed for all the new activities? Is that time available? And here’s the big question — what will you help your people stop doing while they focus on their new goals?
Every goal you set for your ministry is going to require a significant investment of work from your team. That means they’ll need the resources to complete the work. If you’re focusing on the outcomes without putting an equal focus on the resources required to achieve them, you’re crippling your vision. Not only will you miss your goals, you’ll frustrate your staff and minimize your influence as a leader. Don’t fall into that trap — move from good to great.
Leaders, how are you clearing the obstacles for your team? What resources do they need to accomplish your shared vision?
By Church Community Builder
Church Community Builder is dedicated to discipleship growth and equipping church leaders for modern-day ministry through software and coaching.
Learn more about building great leaders with Auxano’s Leadership Development Pipeline.
Tags: Church Community Builder, Leadership Development Pipeline, great leaders
