Be The Change You Want To See - 4

Subject:  Leading The Change In Your Family, Church, or Business

by Rick Welborne

Exodus 18:13-24 (NLT)
¹³  The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.
¹⁴  When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
¹⁵  Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.
¹⁶  When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”
¹⁷  “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.
¹⁸  “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.
¹⁹  Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.
²⁰  Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.
²¹  But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
²²  They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.
²³  If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
²⁴  Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. 

--We all have to realize at some point that leadership matters…it should matter to you and it obviously will matter to those who you are trying to lead.

General George S. Patton – We heard sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people.  Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.

--There is a big difference in being a leader and being the person in charge.  There are people who are in leadership positions who try to herd or drive people…Moses really did not know what to do.

--Though they fill a position as leader, they are not truly filling the position of leader.  Real leaders have the ability to inspire people to follow a movement or a cause. 

--They don’t have to threaten or manipulate those they lead; they understand how leadership works and are committed to use their leadership skills for the good of the organization.  Leadership can be learned.

--There are primarily two kinds of leadership style…position and influence. Every organization has a positional leader.  In a business it can be the CEO…church it can be the pastor…in the home it can be the husband or wife

--Let me say here that there are many influential leaders who have never been recognized as positional leaders but yet they are leading none the less…they are leading because people are following.

1. Let us look at the qualities of good leaders.

T. J. Addington – Positional authority is based on one’s position and responsibility in the workplace.  Personal authority is the standing I have with others because of my behavior, values, treatment of others, and morality

…what is interesting is that it is possible to have positional authority without personal authority.”

--There can actually be someone above us with a title and position but does not have credibility or respect in our eyes or others.  They think they have authority but it is weak because they lack the trust of those they lead

--Just because you are above someone in the organization does not mean you are respected or followed wholeheartedly…you may be able to force someone to comply because of your authority.

--If you truly want to lead people you must convince them that you genuinely care about their hopes and dreams.  They must believe that you are authentic.  Let’s look at six qualities of authentic leaders.

1. You must be teachable.  To be a great leader you must have a teachable spirit and a willingness to always be learning.  Being a good listener will help you learn.

1. You must be perceptive.  Strive to look beyond your own little world and show genuine concern for those you lead. Be concerned about their lives outside your specific work context.

1. You must invest emotionally in the team.  You are only as important as the team who surrounds you.

Showing appreciation for good feedback and asking their opinions will build loyalty.

1. You must set the right example.  Model the way.  If you want those around you to care, to be excited about what they are doing, and to be appreciative, you must behave in the same manner.

1. You must be honest.  Be real with people and be honest with them.  Transparency tells them that you trust them.

1. You must be sincere.  Be who God created you to be and be the best you possible with His help. Tell the truth and invest in others and you will earn ultimate super power…respect.

--Without these qualities leaders will find their jobs or ministries very difficult.  Unless the leader finds the balance between being strong and including others in the team, unity will be allusive. 

--We must stop thinking these two things (being strong and including others) are not compatible and realize they actually complement each other.  

2. Sometimes good leaders have to make decisions. 

--Decision making is one of the most important things that leaders do.  They need to know when quick decisions are needed.  

--Also, leaders have to know when their decision making has to be more deliberate by giving much prayer and thought to the decision.  Making decisions can wear you out emotionally.

--You may need to ask yourself a few questions before you make a decision: Do I have enough information to make a good decision?  Have I heard both sides of the issue?  What are the unknowns?

--Does this decision put the organization or anyone at risk?  Have other alternatives been considered?  Have I honestly prayed about the situation?  Is what I am deciding biblical?  Is there unity?

--How will people inside and outside the organization react to this decision?  Do I have the conviction to stick with my decision even if I get an adverse reaction?

Danger:  We are so quick to attribute to God a decision of something we want so badly.  We are also quick to blame God when it doesn’t go well.  God told me to do this.  God told me not to do this!

--I have found with my life’s experience that God will not tell you one thing this month or year and change His mind the next month or year.  Read John Bevere’s book:  Thus Sayeth the Lord!

--Knowing God’s Word and having common sense will go a long way in decision making.  Hopefully all of us can improve our decision making ability with time…we should or we are not growing.

Psalm 119:9-16 (NIV)
⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
¹⁰  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
¹²  Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.
¹³  With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴  I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵  I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
¹⁶  I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. 

--Here are some simple steps in making good and informed decisions.

A. Approach decision making with humility.  Understand that good decisions are made when a highly committed team, with a selection of perspectives, life experiences and personalities come together for the good of the team.  

Proverbs 15:22 (NLT)
²²  Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. 

B. Ask “What if” to identify alternative solutions.  Keep asking the question until you have exhausted all possibilities.

C. Evaluate alternatives that are given and identify the ones best for the team and organization. 

D. Choose a plan and go with it with all your heart. People are watching to see your confidence or lack of it.

E. Communicate the decision and the plan of action.  More information is better than less.

F. Execute the decision and plan with excellence. More failure in business results from good decisions executed poorly than from poor decisions. 

G. At some point, evaluate the decision and make any necessary adjustments.  No decision will be completely perfect.  The goal is to make the decision right, not for you to always be right.

3. Great leaders inspire other leaders.

--For an organization to be a success the main leader has to raise up other leaders.  This was what Jethro was trying to tell Moses.  For Israel to be great, you need help.

--It can’t just be positional leaders…it must be leaders with influence to advance the organization.  Leaders must empower other leaders to be successful.

Bill Gates – As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.  

--When it comes to leading an organization, the senior leaders must identify, equip, and empower influential leaders.  I have chosen leaders here at Life Church and people have questioned my judgement. 

--Those people have carried such a great part of the load here at our church. I have chosen a few that didn’t work out. 

--According to Inc. Magazine there are five things leaders can do to empower those they lead:

A. Communicate your vision.  Those who will help the organization the most are those who align themselves with the vision and mission that has been set forth. Life Church is a Missions Church.

--Communicating the vision on a consistent basis will keep the people aware that it is a priority to you.  A poorly communicated vision is no vision at all.  

George Bernard Shaw – The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.

B. Offer encouragement and support.  People want to know that what they are doing matters.

C. Challenge people to go beyond their perceived limits. Never settle for where you are; keep raising the bar and asking people to stretch their thinking and creativity.

D. Set reachable, measureable goals. People want to know how well they are doing.  Are we reaching our Missions goals and going beyond them?  Are we really growing to one thousand?

E. Get out of the way.  This might be the most important step in the process. Don’t ask people to do something and then micro manage it.  People will get frustrated.  Trust your team and let them execute the vision.

--We have to learn to delegate and then get out of the way.  I tell my staff and leaders that if I have to watch over you…I have the wrong person leading.