Coach the Leader; Not the Problem!

Coach the Leader; Not the Problem!

A book that I have enjoyed reading titled, Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger discusses change management. To illustrate this point Bolsinger uses the historical account of the Lewis & Clark expedition as a backdrop for church ministry and the reality for leaders to navigate in “uncharted territory”.

The author introduces Adaptive Leadership:

“… NOT ABOUT FINDING THE BEST-KNOWN OR MOST-AVAILABLE FIX TO A PROBLEM, BUT INSTEAD ADAPTING TO THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT OR CIRCUMSTANCES SO THAT NEW POSSIBILITIES ARISE FOR ACCURATELY SEEING, UNDERSTANDING AND FACING CHALLENGES WITH NEW ACTIONS.” 

Leadership on the Line – Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading by Ronald Heifetz & Marty Linsky

The point I take from this explanation as it relates to coaching, is simple: “coach the person, not the problem”. There is a tendency to focus on solving a problem when you coach a leader. However, the true value you bring as a coach to a leader it to help increase the leader’s awareness e.g. “ACCURATELY SEEING, UNDERSTANDING AND FACING CHALLENGES WITH NEW ACTIONS.”

He unpacks three aspects of Adaptive Leadership that will serve you well as you coach leaders to navigate change and help leader transform their capacity to lead well, in that process. Here are the three areas with a key reflection question, that I’ve included, for you to drill down in each area: 

1. Technical Competence:

Key question: What ministry skills does the pastor or planter need to develop in this season?

2. Relational Congruence:

Key question: How can this leader raise their emotional intelligence effectiveness to engage relationally?

3. Adaptive Capacity:

Key question: What aspects of change management must this leader need to pay attention to in this season?

A lot of important work has been done in the area of change management. Canoeing the Mountains does an excellent job defining adaptive leadership and narrowing the focus on the leader’s transformation.

Collectives 2018:

As we approach the end of the year, check out the Collectives for 2018 and consider which opportunity fits your needs. Collectives are not just for anyone. Collectives are for movement makers. Collectives are designed exclusively for catalytic leaders.

According to Merriam-Webster: a catalyst is an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action”

Collectives will help a leader:

  • who is on the verge of a breakthrough
  • stuck in their development
  • unable to keep up with the growth, expansion & reproduction of the ministries they are launching

Reflection Questions:

Who do you know that is on the forefront of catalyzing a disciple-making movement?

Who do you know that is catalyzing a church multiplication movement?.

 

What compliment would you liked to have given in 2017?

What compliment would you liked to have given in 2017?

Thanks-giving is your chance to give thanks to the Lord and the people He has surrounded you with to fulfill His mission!

It is easy to allow the busyness of ministry and work to dictate your actions. Countless demands on your time that can infringe on your life. But it is not okay to use that as an excuse to miss the opportunity to thank people for their contribution.

Reflect on the following:

  • Who have you meant to thank, that is doing something that if it was not done, everyone would notice?
  • Who is performing a random act(s) of kindness for you, your team or organization?
  • Who have you taken for granted?

What compliment would you liked to have given in 2017?

This is a year-end question I pose to leaders I coach. There is still time. Don’t miss this opportunity. 

Take the Thanksgiving challenge:

  1. Write a list: take 30 minutes to identify people to thank for their contribution and role in your life and/or ministry.
  2. Write a note: take 30 minutes to write a simple note of thanks and appreciation.

As we approach the end of the year, check out the Collectives for 2018 and consider which opportunity fits your needs.

Tis’ the Season to be Grateful

Tis’ the Season to be Grateful

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year. More than Christmas or Easter; Thanksgiving solicits a different response from me. I absolutely love and embrace the history passed-on from our forefathers:

“It has been celebrated as a federal holiday every year since 1864, when, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November.”

Let me take a moment to highlight three men that have facilitated the growth and expansion of InFocus. Each member of the InFocus Board has a particular role and contribution.  I give thanks to the Lord for the wisdom they have provided over the years.

In the midst of the family gatherings, friends and fun; it is easy to forget the need to give thanks. I encourage you to “give thanks” to those who have supported you in your leadership journey this last year.

  • Who are the influential people in your life?

See this blog from earlier this year, for a list of people who have made my leadership journey possible; as a prompt for you to give thanks for the people God has used in your life.

What is a level 5 leader?

What is a level 5 leader?

The best reason I suggest you to participate in a Collective, is not:

  • the power of coaching
  • the power of a focused learning communities.

No, the best reason that I would give is the profound impact God has made through the ministries of my co-presenters who are multiplying leaders (read Multiply).

Church Multiplication Collective

  • Tim Vink – Level 4-5 leader
    • Stewarded the Reformed Church of America movement from 3% to 14% of churches reproducing since 2005.

Disciple-Making Collective

  • Daniel B – missionary that has catalyzed 400+ Discovery Bible studies with his team
    • Has helped train over 500 church planters in disciple-making strategies worldwide.

Allowing leaders to focus on a shared issue within a group of like-minded individuals, combines the power of one-on-one coaching with the strength of a learning community.

If you have not yet registered yet I would like to encourage you to seriously consider taking that next step. Registration ends November 10, 2017 for this round of Collectives. Below is the schedule with times listed in the links below:  

  • Session #1: Nov 13, 2017
  • Session #2: Dec 4, 2017
  • Session #3: Jan 9, 2018
  • Session #4: Feb 5, 20178

Please e-mail InFocus if you have specific questions about taking the next step to register.

See Church Multiplication Collective to register.

See Disciple-Making Collective to register.