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?.
